[coolnt]

Jon Wolfert, president of JAM Creative Productions and PAMS Productions Inc., at one point in the 1970s played “David” to TM Productions' “Goliath” in the early days of his own jingle company. (an article by Ken D.)

Read on http://www.radioworld.com/article/84346

[ratnobMember]

Interesting and nicely written piece.

The teacher in me has to say that the David and Goliath analogy doesn't quite work. The tiny David took on the all-powerful Goliath and slayed him, whereas this is really a model of apprenticeship – JMW learns from the master rather than wanting to destroy him! Once a teacher, always a teacher!

[Barras]

Good one Ken…………..enjoyed reading that article and I get what you mean Geoff about the “David and Goliath” comparison. JMW says he was “star-struck” when working with Tom Merriman, from a personal point of view it was the same for me when I met Jon Wolfert in 2004 at JAM, I had a feeling of being “star-struck”. I have met several so called “celebrities” when I worked in commercial radio as a presenter during the 1990s but never felt the “star-struck” thing until I met Jim Clancy and Jon Wolfert – I had admired these gentlemen from a far, since 1977 and still do !

[IainJohnstonMember]

An excellent article!

I know there's a “gentlemanly” unwritten rule that jingle producers NEVER publically criticise their competitors work, but I did note Tom Merriman's observation as he's now well-retired …

“Jingles must retain that human quality,” he said.
“Some of these things that I hear seem to get so mechanical-sounding that I think they turn off the listeners, to some extent.
You have to keep the humanity and the warmth of a radio station alive.”

A lot of corporately-minded people on a lot of radio stations, in the USA, UK, and elsewhere, who after all tell the jingle producers “here's what I/we want…” should wisely note those words.

[LenGroat]

What a SUPERB article, and a worthy tribute to Tom's amazing talent.

My 'Tom story' is via Jackie as we booked her as lead on our GEM PAMS packages that (ironically) were sung at TM.

It was Jackie who took me to JAM the first time, to have a 'sneak preview' before we were able to buy from JAM. On my second visit to Dallas she insisted I stay at their home even though I was recording at JAM (that is great friendship) as we again booked her for lead on many cuts.

I forget how many times I stayed at their home and also the much loved 'lake house' but it meant I was able to chat with Tom 'off duty'. He IS an amzing man. Many great stores were shared, including him sitting at the piano and illustrating various musical principles to Alan Fawkes and me. Also his phone call with Stevie Wonder who wanted to chat about music and Sonovox with Tom!

My one regret was that we never had 'time' in the 'Trent/GEM years'to buy a TM package, there were MANY I loved (as a jingle freak) and 'WOOD…. Grand Rapids' was a favourite…

Naturally there were many pictures taken, and here is a favourite I got them to pose for ~ Tom and Jackie are special people….

[ratnobMember]

What a great thread this is proving to be: great reminder of what we love about jingles – the human dimension. Thanks.

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