All Tom Leykis Questions Answered (I Hope)
This blog will not be like other recent blogs because it’s about me.
Having not done a daily show for over a year, I thought it would be a good idea to tell those who care how I got here and where I’m going.
On April 1, 2007, it is no secret that I began work under a five year agreement with CBS Radio to host the afternoon show at KLSX Radio in Los Angeles, a show that was also syndicated to other stations. 22½ months in, CBS Radio decided to change the format of the station, but my contract has rolled merrily along. I have had nothing but a great relationship with CBS which continues to this day, although, to answer a question I am asked every day, there is NO daily show currently being produced for radio and because I am being paid under my contract, I can’t do a daily radio show for anyone else until CBS decides otherwise or until April 1, 2012.
I signed the contract. I am happy with the contract. I have not one bad word to say about CBS Radio. They have lived up to the letter and spirit of the contract and, I believe, so have I. To repeat, the show is NOT heard in other cities outside of Los Angeles because it is not being produced, though I must say that this was good out-of-the-box thinking by listeners trying to hear the show from the website of a radio station in some other city such as Portland or Seattle.
So, people asked me every day for over a year: “what are you doing? Where are you?” I had very little to say because I have primarily lived on my ranch in Northern Santa Barbara County and spent a lot of time thinking, reading, writing, and figuring out if there was anything I wanted to do with all of this free time. Of course, I take the usual meetings about proposed television projects, book deals and with people in the radio business who want to know when I can work again. And no doubt I will work when I can. But after spending almost a year driving my truck through the mud, tasting wines, traveling a bit and just thinking, I had an epiphany (look it up).
For years, I have known that my destiny was to own and run a business. During my downtime, I met with three different entrepreneurs who wanted me to partner with them. On two of the businesses, I did my due diligence and discovered that others are not as thorough and disciplined about their finances as I am. I then decided that, rather than fund someone else’s dream, it was time to create my own dream. It was on that day that The New Normal was born.
The expression “the new normal” is often heard on CNBC and the Fox Business Channel, and in magazines such as Business Week, Barron’s and Forbes to refer to the current state of the economy as in, “the old normal just isn’t working anymore. What can we expect in the new normal?”
As for the radio business, we have seen the same kind of implosion that has taken place in the real estate business. A bubble was created by the excitement of the deregulation of broadcasting with conglomerates and private equity groups climbing over each other over the last 20 years to overpay to grab hundreds of (and in one case, over 1,200) radio stations. In my opinion, some of these companies paid way more than they should have for many of these stations without regard to how much revenue the stations could actually generate. Some companies are literally being choked to death by the debt service on the money they borrowed to buy these stations and have filed for bankruptcy.
In the meantime, many broadcasting conglomerates have completely ignored the growth of the internet and specifically, the social media, treating them as annoying gnats rather than as opportunities for growth and opportunity. In response to an audience question at a recent media seminar I attended, the program director of a very well-known AM radio station said on a panel, “Oh yes. Our station is on the internet. We are streaming live on our website!” That was the limit of this person’s understanding of what has begun to happen to audio content.
Besides live streaming (which many companies dragged their feet on), many radio stations’ entire involvement with the internet is to exhort “Follow us on Twitter!”, and when you do, you get messages that resemble the one that little Ralphie got from his Little Orphan Annie decoder ring in the movie “A Christmas Story.” Remember? It said, “Drink Ovaltine.” How many people have followed the Twitter accounts of media conglomerates who are clearly behind the 8-ball and been told to “Drink Ovaltine” or some modern equivalent such as “$5 off mattresses today only! See our website!”? Or have you ever gone to a radio station website that is so jammed with bad flash-driven banner ads that it takes 10 minutes for the page to stop loading?
Add onto that the constant complaint you hear from radio management that “there is no young talent out there!” What young person wants to work in radio anymore? And where would they start if they wanted to? The radio stations in the area of my ranch have very few local talents on the air in a very small market. Sean Hannity is on at least eight places on my AM dial. Rush Limbaugh the same. ESPN Radio. Dr. Laura. And on FM? Delilah. John Tesh. Ryan Seacrest. Why is there no young talent? It’s because radio has crowded them out with syndicated programming in its smallest markets. I learned about radio in Babylon, New York and Staunton, Virginia. Where could a young person go today to develop an act? Clearly “the old normal” no longer works in the radio business. What comes next?
Meet The New Normal. We don’t see radio as an art form, but as what it is: a delivery system for content, older and more developed as a business yet no better or worse than other delivery systems for content, such as podcasts and live streams, mp3s and Pandora. iPhones and iPads. Blackberrys and Droids. Ford cars with Microsoft Sync. Each medium has its advantages and drawbacks. Our goal is to create content that will cross all of these barriers. Content that is appropriate to each medium or for several media.
At The New Normal, we know how to create compelling content: audio content that has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for some of America’s biggest and well-known media companies. We will create a home for known talent who want to venture into the internet and these newer still-developing delivery systems. More importantly, we will discover and develop young talent who will now have a way to learn to create compelling content, no matter how it is delivered. And, if you are a listener or a fan, think of The New Normal as your source for music and talk shows and formats that radio would never dare to do. We’re like a newer, cooler radio station that has no limits of time, content or format. No one can tell us what not to do or what can’t be done.
The New Normal is Audio Content Your Way.
So what have I been doing with my time? Registering the appropriate service marks and trademarks. Setting up bank accounts and bookkeeping software. Identifying and hiring a small core of people I trust intimately to help me build steam. And making occasional TV appearances!
For those who want to know what I am doing next, there is no better place to come than here. This website is the culmination of five months of thought and hard work. And our first production, “The Gary and Dino Show” featuring my longtime wingman Gary Zabransky and that tool of ignorance Dean J. DeMilio, is just the first of many projects you will enjoy right here at our website. Our former engineer, Art Webb, is here working with us as well (though not laughing in the background…yet) as is our director of affiliate relations for terrestrial radio, Liz Laud, who helped us get our first 22 stations with Westwood One back in 1994.
I have had a love affair with radio that goes back to the days when I waited on the front porch for my father to come home. I still love doing a show. Always will. But a show is no longer just a radio show. It is audio content. Maybe you will hear it on a radio. A PC or a Mac. A smartphone. A netbook. In your headphones on a coast-to-coast flight. Through Wi-Fi. Wherever you go and whatever device you choose to use, we want to be coming out of it. We will seek the help of the brightest technological minds we can find to get that to happen in every possible way. We want to meet everyone who thinks the way that we do. We want your input. And, of course, for those who agree with this mission statement, we may just want to do business with you. Even you, Ovaltine.
Will you be here with us?
Of course I will
I lived in LA 1997-99 and listened to your show everyday. When I moved back to my native Sweden your show was one of the things I missed the most. I can't wait for you to get back on-air again. And this time I will be able to listen to you on my SonyEricsson X10 Android smartphone with Wi-Fi and 3G.
Paul
I will absolutely be there !
Tom,
I am from Canada and its been about 1 year I am listening to you.
I think I have listened to 99% of your videos on you tube. After
a hard days work I religiously enjoy just lying back and listening to
an hour or two of your show through videos on you tube.
Sometimes I listen to videos for the second time.... And even a
third..... And each time around I learn something new. I would
really want you to reach all the men in Canada and all around the
world as I think they would truly benefit from your experience.
I know *I* will tune in on April, 02, 2012. I will also have some
buddies listen in.
Hey Tom... Can you blow me up with the old classic and yet so
ironic from Arnold Shwartz.... " I'll BE BACK "
PS And I can't wait !
Fan forever
Rob
LOL
Its funny that people apraise u so much..... u didn't do anything u just said what they wanted hear..... of course if a girl does u dirty ur gonna pump it up cause they are at a fragile state of mind and they will become gullible about what u say.... haha retards
Long Time Fan Tom.. Can't wait to hear you back on the Radio...
I'm really excited to hear that you will be coming back on april of next year.. Your advice is still streaming online as i advice young cats to youtube you and hear your intellectual advice that Leykis 101 has to offer.. :)
4rm
Manny069
Hellllllllllllo Daddddddddddddd
Tom Leykis I'm a long time listener of your show and i missed all the good advice you give to all the men here in america. I'm a daddy of a 5 year old twin boys that needs your knowledge so that they can use it when they grow older. I was married to a wonderful woman but i lost her from breast cancer. I'm now single and ready to mingle, but I'm not planning on getting married again. I'm gonna tell my boys not to get married and stay single or they can get married but sign a prenup to protect themself from a bitch who wants half of everything you own. Like what you said married is like getting into a business deal and after 10 years you have to pay vaginamony for a dried up pussy for the rest of your life, it doesn't make sense they need to change that law. Take care Tom and I hope that you have a wonderful nice vacation before you come back to work next year. You are my Dad that i never have.
Lyndon
Your Foreign Listener
I finally got some answers of where in the hell where you. I really miss you specially Flash Fridays. I hope you come back soon.
Helllooooooooooooooooooo Tommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
need too re adjust my satelite radio programing (Howard Stern))...repeats all day i think 3 times & welcome you back....
Hope too hear you soon ....10 year listener!!!
Miss u Tom
Hello, Tom
Please come back to radio here in So. Cal, we miss uuuuuuuuuuu.
Glad you are doing well,
Again please come back 04/2012
Dead Pool
Tom,
did anyone have Amy Winehouse in the dead pool?
Can't wait until you come back.
Miss you, father. I'm lost without your guidance.
Great Content is GREAT Content......
Tom
Great to hear, I mean read something from the master educator.
Great content is always great content no matter its venue.
Look forward to listening and or reading or watching!!
Michael Kimball
Haverhill, MA
Big Tom!!!
For the love of Christ please bring back "FLASH FRIDAY"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Tom, do you make exceptions?
You have expressed that you view women as sex objects.
You do so because you see no other merit in them besides that they can cook and clean for you.
However, do you feel this way about all women or just the majority who are in the dating game?
Sigh
What does this have to do with the post? You should read it again. Sit back and think about it. Don't take too long. Then repost. Is that so hard? What you did was like comparing the sun and a freaking purse. Sigh.
So I'll help you get back on track. You can say,"Tom, will you have an iPhone app?" or," Tom, will I be able to access this content on iTunes radio?" or, "Tom, is there a way to invest in this venture?"
Then and only then, you can say, "I hope it comes out soon so I could ask questions about women because I didn't get the message 2 years ago."
299 Days to go
DAAADDDDD !
The absence of your show is like doing a hitch the Navy ! I'm counting days until April 1, 2012. How about a MEGA Listener Party to welcome you back. I bet people would fly in to LA to give your show a warm welcome. How about you invite Gloria Steinem and Oprah Winfrey as your guests of dishonor ? Ya know standing in front of huge photos of Larry Flynt and a childless Jennifer Aniston. Then Susan Faludi will know the meaning of the term "Backlash" when she views a sea of half drunk howling raucous men sporting a 6 Pack of Trojans in their back pockets.
Keep up the good work and ........
DTB ! ! ! !
the best advocate
tom...
you are the most effective....witty....entertaining potent advocate for men's
rights in the world....the system is radically WRONG...for men....the solution to this is also radical.....no marriage no babies.....DTB.....get educated..become successful and follow the countless role models of success in business.entertainment...media etc.....learning from other people's mistakes is wisdom...
my personal favorite role model is j paul getty.....and his awesome bio....
where he did not marry but had many smart successful supportive lady friends...
in his later years....
keep up the good work on youtube and every other available media outlets....
Glad to hear it!
Tom, I was wondering and now am relieved to know you are well. I happen to be with a lady who also used to listen to your show and agreed frequently with you about the way women are. she is so cool, sorry we cant listen together but are looking forward to the day. take care of you, my friend.
Oh Tom!
My 10 year old son asked me about your show the other day... "Dad, why don't we listen to Tom any more...
In April 2012 (when your current contract runs out), he will be 11. I hope you will be there to help him develop a healthy skepticism about his Girl Friends... Still, he has the GooGoo Eyes for this one girl in his class... She can skate better than most of the boys!!!
SIGH.
DP
respond
Cars and houses are not cheap and not every person is able to buy it. Nevertheless, personal loans are invented to support people in such kind of hard situations.
I do miss your show
Even though you drove me nuts most of the time and I called in once as a "hater" I miss your show. You are truly one of a kind.
Will you avoid the FCC?
Hellooooooooo Toooooooommmmmmm!!!
I just found out about this and it has made my day.
My question is, since anything goes on-line, will there be an uncensored version on-line? I'm not sure if iTunes puts any restrictions on what you can and can't say, or if XM/Sirius still forbid some things, it would be great if nothing was censored.
I would also suggest a listener party-style first show for the loyal fans who are awaiting your return. :)
Miss you in Seattle
We need you back in Seattle, The sweats pants are taking over. BJ is being gelded, RR is off the air. The only decent thing on the air is the Men's Room. I miss the days of Stern, BJ, You ,and the Men's room. Made for an interesting day in the old Fed Ex truck. I used to have you blasting out of the twin doors of my big ass truck cruising through the land of fat-asses and es300's . Man people got pissed. Anyway I guess I have to be satisfied with old web casts and you tube for now . Hear you soon.
Matt C in Seattle
Seattle
I agree with Matt that when Seattle lost you, there was a huge loss, but BJ Shay, a local Tom Wannabe didn't even come close to replacing you. I listened to him for awhile and he had Loser written all over him. He knows how to be dirty to the point of being creepy, but not how to be funny.
You and Stern have your own styles that you both made genius and all the local wannabes are insulting losers for even trying.
If you want to be great in radio, you have to be original. We've HAD the originals and cheap local imitations are put offs as far as I'm concerned.
I'm going to check out KLSX on the net and see if I can hear you from that and thanks for that tip.
Jim
The New Normal and Boy's Night Out.
Tom, just want to say that I haven't heard you in years, I guess since CBS changed the format in Phoenix Az. Or at least I thought it was solely in Az. Anyways, I think its great what you're doing, and can't wait to hear you in 2012. All normal butt kissing aside, I'd like to take this opportunity to put myself in your face. I would love to be a media personality and would love to do so under you (figuratively speaking of course). I'm a 32 year old self made man, who has his own beliefs and thoughts about the world today. I have worn many hats in my life including (but not limited to) being prior military. In a world such as ours, I see the need for change and would love to be a voice in that change. So, to be honest, I'm asking if you like what you read by all means e-mail me. If not I'll be hearing from you next year on my media preferred device. Thanks for tour time. Matt.
wittdtjrmatt@yahoo.com
Tom, Getting paid to do
Tom,
Getting paid to do nothing??? I miss the advice, the guidance, the humor. The Leykiss 101 is the greatest gift given in the modern age. You have saved more lives than Chemo.
Channels List
Tom,
When will you be able to provide us a list of places to hear your new audio show? Are you going to broadcast over XM as well?
It was really disheartening to come back from Iraq and find you gone from the airwaves. At least I have some of your old shows saved on itunes.
I hope you will continue to do a financial segment on your shows as well. Your advice helped me stay on track for retirement and reinforced good habits. Thanks for everything. - Steven B.
Tom's new show.
Tom, you're a genious. Absolutely the most talented individual ever in radio. I've been with you off and on since the late 80's on KFI. I do hope, however, you move in a different direction from the young punks calling in about some chicks boobies they just saw on the 405 fwy. I know, I know, ratings etc. The best of luck to you. And keep this website so I can follow your endevors. Barry G. (age 64)
You're Back Baby!
Tom, You are the man! I applaud you for taking a step where many others in the radio business had no clue (yet). Good luck with this new format. I hope one day this becomes #1. Oh wait, how about jointly podcasting this site from your SB ranch plus after 4/1/2012 you also join the ranks of your close girlfriend Dr. Laura (ha!) and other top radio talent and team up with Sirius-XM? I see that day coming where you run both operations right from your studio on the ranch. All the best Steve G. Westlake Village, CA
The New Normal Network
this website is brilliant.
Do you EVER make a business or artistic mistake??!!
That interview with Rex Pickett, on the Tasting Room, was more than good.
..... looking forward to that Office Companion on Monday, too.
Forever in awe,
VF
The Contract
I find it great you have a contract to do nothing where can i get one!! Scotty T
Tasting Room
My gosh, I forgot how much I enjoy the show ! Keep up the good work. BTW, I LOVE how you've produced it to make it sound like older radio with commercial breaks and all. Fantastic !
Maybe that's because...
...it IS a radio show. It just happens to appear as a podcast.
We will be here for ya Tom
Just now found The New Normal. Checking it out and will get back to ya on what I think. I am looking forward to 2012 when you can come back full force and open this up wide. You have entertained,informed,shared and helped us all laugh through the years and we miss that. Thanks for not just retiring which I am sure was an option (most likey a last option for a guy like you).
Lenny,Lancaster California
1973
Remember working at Carvel in Coram, Tom
Cool Deal Professor
As a college educated and certified computer geek, your right about the shift in media, people's response to it and the Johnny-Come-Lately attitude by large media corporations. Media has become like a bad ex-wife who never puts out - No one wants to deal with them, pay for them or even think about coming back to them. Aye, you know I listened to your show. For me it was the summer of 2007 when I started. Damn good thing too cause I was going through my own shift when I found ya. Being brought up to speed on the real nature of women and relationships confirmed and sharpened my instincts helping me avoid many traps and give me the ammunition to confront the bait switch witch who was in my life at the time (needless to say I called in the field goal unit on to the field..... 3 points for me!!). You also helped me to see how I'm just not down for a lot of the CRAP I was being spoonfed by people who didn't have my best interest at heart.
As a result, it 's 3 years later and I'm going on my 3rd year with a 6 figure income while living on my own ,on two coasts, completing my degree and single. The fact that I've done this in this economy - in the computer field - isn't just a testimony to my own toughness and skill. It's a testament to the value of living the truths you told and dealing with the implications of those truths. That's your biggest contribution - exposing the crap buy revealing and discussing the implications. Hell you know I'm a geek cause I got a bunch of your podcasts on my 1 TB removable hard drive so I can listen to them anywhere on any machine -even if my PC crashes!! I have women from all strata (rich/poor, local/foreign all races too) wanting a shot at my upwrapped sausage. Funny how power over yourself leads women being attracted to you.
Anyway I'd love to do some work for you guys in the tech and development department if the chance came up. Ain't too big on leaving emails on blogs. That's the new superhighway for SPAM these days. I love the new site and can't wait for you to come back with new stuff in a little more than a year from now. Knowing how you work, you've already started prep work,
Still heartbroken...
I feel like I lost an old friend or family member when your show went off the air, but glad to hear everythings still good with you. One thing I do regret though is not being able to get through on the phone with you, & asking you to take me out with: a deep bong hit, old school style, & a THANK YOU JEEESSSUUUSSS!!!!!!!!!!!! ...good luck Tom.
Just checking up on ya
Glad to hear you are doing well and I looked forward to the day you are back on the air and at the head of the classroom. There is nothing more fun then listening to you and your callers. Aloha and Mahalo
girls
Forget about you Tom...where the hell are the Leykets
I miss you dad
I'm glad to see all is well. Stay healthy so we can see you for cinco de mayo 2012.
Hey Tom
I was there listening when you were first introduced to KFI listeners in the "combat radio" promo. Even though I am not a bleeding heart liberal nor a far right wing concervative for that matter, I always enjoyed your way of voicing your opinion back then. I especially liked Friday Night Date Night when you had the button to push with Gary Owens saying "Dump Him Tom". LOL.
Since I don't own nor plan to own a smart phone and there are other things to do when i get home, the radio is still the best format for me while I'm working or driving
The New Normal
I have listened to you since the late 80's. One thing about you, Tom Leykis, you keep working on it even when you have it right.
Somehow you managed, while putting on a radio show that was completely original and extremely abrasive to more than a few, to speak the truth with a rare brand of insight and intelligence, allowing those paying attention to see the real you.
I love that.
One thing about being an entrepreneur, you have got to work with people you can trust. The quality of your relationships is infinetly more important than as an employee.
But you already know this.
If I could figure out some way to help you on this project, I would.
Good Luck.
Keith Carlson
carlskin@cox.net
Dr Laura
Tom,
You saw it coming about 12 to 13 years ago. And you said it on radio for us to think about.
She has always thought she has been above the rest of us, with her self reighteous attitude and aggressiveness.
Your fans would like to have you write an artilce on your blog.
Thanks, Gary
just in time
Perfect time Tom while Dr Laura whines like a plantation slave women running from her master Shes out your in
we are ready its obvious in lA you are missing and I look forward to what is next
Your country needs you Tom
Be a voice in this madness Tom I hope you comeback and give America an alternative to the convicted felons, right wing wackos, alcoholic anonymous turned religious freaks turned radio personalities. Your needed more than ever to inject some reality into the masses. Rescue us from the nut jobs out there father. Bring back sanity
Droids are Lucasfilm devices...
Heh. There are more phones using the Android operating system than just the "Droid" which is a rtm. My fantastic new Evo is not a Droid, it is an Android phone.
My LG Android phone I still
My LG Android phone I still call 'Droid'. It's sort of the generic term for the Android operating system, Motorola just beat the competition to the term.
The New Normal
Looking forward to your new venture Tom. I have had to listen to you on the internet, As I was a fan from the Detroit area. Still embarrassed the way the douche bags here treated you when you came.
I know you will have a good vehicle for finding new and interesting talent.
Good luck
Dennis Smith
Problem with activation
Hi there, I dont know if I am writing in a proper board but I have got a problem with activation, link i receive in email is not working... http://blowmeuptom.com/?8a0ab887b17bf7968e973ff9d03,
A continuous source of inspiration
I`ve been listening the recordings of your show for several years now. I live in Romania. I`m a big fan and convinced my brother to listen to you. Your wisdom is missed among us, good thing someone recorded your show. It`s great that you`re going in a new direction and I will be waiting till 2012 to hear your advice. Even though you no longer teach, you`re still The Professor.
Thank you.
Gabriel Nechifor
Thank GOD! ... Oh sorry, you're an athiest.
I'm excited to see that a radio guy that actually posesses "the goods" has enough foresight to create an online content network in place of a traditional radio station. Even the douchebags who work in sat radio will admit that this is the direction of the future of broadcasting. And Lord knows the world needs actual compelling online content. 99.999% of the podcasts available on iTunes aren't even close to listenable. Of course there's Leo LaPorte, but he's a radio guy too. Thank you,Tom for not making the interweb the last refuge of talentless hacks broadcasting out of their mom's basements.