Biography of Al Anthony
(Almondo Antonio Vincenzo
Fiori)
Al Anthony in 1965 Al Anthony Today
“I am a four year Korean War veteran, United States Air Force and participated in the first non-stop, around the world flight in a B-50, Lucky Lady in 1949. My military service offset my early life plans and dreams by five years.
“Prior to KFXM, I was in Bakersfield at KAFY. There, I made ratings history and created national hot breaking record market with national attention for many artists including Beach Boys, Platters, Kathy Young, Olympics, Contours, Ritchie Valens, Righteous Brothers, Motown records, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Paragons, and dozens more.
“I worked briefly doing a shift 9am to Noon but was primarily Director of Operations managing what was then California’s largest independent chain of radio stations - Tullis & Hearne Radio Stations, Inc. From 1962 to 1965, I was the executive vice president and then general manager from 1982 to 1986.
“From 1990 to 1999 I owned Double A Advertising and a TV Consulting firm. Clients included: California Highway Patrol, Ethan Allen, Lazy Boy, Southern California Ford & Southern California Nissan Dealers, Communication Workers of America, Catholic Archdiocese of Southern California, Honda Dealers, Remington Arms (Safety), Minolta, Pete Ellis Auto Group among others. I also established an advertising department for the Southern California region of Comcast Cable.”
Al after a long, long day
About Al Anthony
"My fifty seven years of Broadcasting and Multimedia experience has provided me with a rich, rewarding career including: Corporate Executive, managing sales, talent, production, programming, technical, creative, recruiting, training as well as ratings and financial turnarounds.
"Media experience includes: Television, Radio, Cable, Print, Movies, Outdoor, Advertising Agencies; managerial, ownership as well as personal air talent."
Career Media Highlights
Produced, Hosted syndicated TV show "Al Anthony Dance Party" 1961-1962
Created and produced syndicated country dance show, "Country Junction" 1992
Billboard Magazine’s "Public Service Program Director of the Year" (1961)
Co-produced Rolling Stones first US appearance San Bernardino, California in 1965.
Worked at Disney Studios (for Mr. Disney during creation of Disneyland) 1955
Actor (Union Waiver) in 12 Motion Pictures, mostly MGM (including The Blackboard Jungle)
Managed, recorded several hit musical artists on self owned & other record labels
Associations: Member/Officer of Board of Directors:
"Mid-fifties found me pursuing lifelong Los Angeles-bound dream. With
the help of the GI Bill and a dozen odd jobs, many concurrently, I
graduated Los Angeles State College, with honors, mostly straight A’s.
(First in our family tree to attend and graduate college)
"My majors: TV/Radio Broadcasting, Advertising and Acting. Concurrently I
attended Ogden’s Radio Operational Engineering School, and acquired
Lifetime FCC First Class License.
"While in college, I worked every paid and free gig available towards any experience I could garner. One of these included subbing for a hooded wrestler, The Raven, broadcasting all night from a restaurant on La Cienega in Hollywood on KBLA. (When he 'got lucky' I got work!) in 1954. I did vacation relief for all jocks at KSPA, Santa Paula.
"Prior to leaving New York I worked at WENE, Endicott/Triple Cities announcing and radio drama acting in 1947.
"My first full time radio opportunity came in 1956, opening a new station, KSLR in Oceanside, California. It was the first radio station ever on the air between LA and San Diego. It was a dream come true, not having to start in Idaho, North Dakota or some other godforsaken spot! It was a blast of an experience to broadcast on a local station in a region where there had never been done before. We were treated royally. Not many people ever have that chance anywhere, let alone Southern California, at the beach in San Diego County!! That dream lasted a year; KSLR, later KUDE was sold (you fill in the blanks.) I chose to leave and it became a forerunner of what radio is today."
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