Round 3 Entry for Al Letson

Al,
I didn't even know about this contest before today (09/15/07) but once I heard your entry I didn't have to hear anyone else. You blew me away!

Now, I can't say that I would want to hear someone flow on NPR everyday while I drive to work but I think your delivery and performance style offers more than just that.

Concept. Vision. Knowledge. Culture. Reach.

Amazing. What you achieved in 1 minute on the air was phenomenal. For every mind that heard you, there are a million and one ideas that are out there. If they give you permanent air time, there are gonna be a lot of sharp people out there.

Best of luck!

* Impressive set-up, strong voice quality and read. A bit novice with respect to commenting within answers to questions. Encouraged by willingness to tackle a serious subject matter. Descent presentation as a public affairs host. When interviewed, comes across as very genuine. Answers have depth and clarity.

* Very far-reaching and natural dialogue. Al seems a confident, knowledgeable and engaged interviewer as well as interviewee. He seems unafraid to be vulnerable but is, at once, totally cool and collected. Love the swing between emotion and balance. Love the expanse of subjects presented thoughtfully here. What a talent.

* Interview: Surprisingly listenable, given topic being so local and un-relevant for most of us. Great connection with guest, felt like a real conversation between the two, and Al was clearly well-informed on the issue.

* Who knew that property taxes could be made so interesting in an intro? I was impressed. Unfortunately, it was short-lived; the interview itself didn’t deliver or measure up. However, Al’s voice and way of speaking is compelling and I do want to hear more from him. I’m awed at his admission that he has dyslexia. He’s a natural performer, has an engaging and easy way about him, so likeable and real. A fresh new voice worth testing further.

* Good to hear an interview based on something local. He asks smart questions in a conversational manner. Both Al and the guest sound like they care deeply about this topic. Awkward end.

* Deep, honest answer to the belief question. Powerful example - goes beyond simple rhetoric. Confident and concerned about where he lives - no whining like other contestants. Struggle felt real and not self involved. Want to spend time with him.

* Very local; would this work nationally? Sounds like a nice guy. The trick would be finding the right context for him.

You're amazing as always. Miss seeing you at Barb's. Glad to see you're going so well. You know you've got my vote always. Love you!

frankly, i was speechless. and frankly, i wasn't expecting to be so impressed after your round 2 stuff. but you DID absolutely, unequivocably rock. excellent, excellent, excellent. here's hoping you rock on ... though i know you will, come what may with this particular endeavor.

u rawked this round... i would have totally mopped u up though... so dont let is all get to your head .... lol... u are GREAT!

bee jellyfish
http://www.beejellyfish.com
http://www.myspace.com/beejellyfish

Al,

Your other entries were so great. I just don't see how whining about a cut in property taxes is going to help you in the contest. I can see how it might appear to be useful as it is the general misconception that Public Radio is left leaning, but the corporations that sponsor it are the ones who will benefit from the property tax cuts, too. They donate to Public Radio to shelter their taxes, as well. They are "pro-business", therefore, they are pro tax cuts. I mean, lets cut through the baloney, can we?

A cut in property taxes puts more money into the hands of homeowners of all income levels, so they do what they want with that money. Business will pay less too, so you can figure out another way to solicit them for their support for the arts, you may be able to get more out of them, because the people in our govts. today are lousy managers. The idea that the arts are going to die if taxes are cut is just a terrible sign of a lack of CREATIVITY on the part of the arts community. Kind of ironic.. me thinks, yes.

Interviewing a guy who feels he is entitled to tax money because he is into the arts doesn't seem.. well, it's just kind of funny, frankly.

All that being said, Al. You are a good interviewer. Maybe not the best producer.

Love ya though, Al.

Al had a solid and smooth delivery on both segments, but I just can't get past his introduction. It was unnecessary and felt overdone--like he was trying to make a bold statement where one was not needed. I think that's a common flaw in pieces on Public Radio so I guess I shouldn't blame him too much, but if that's an indication of his writing style, I don't think he should make the cut.

Diligence is key and I definitely see that in you. Continue to be blessed!

you sounded comfortable and grounded in both interviews. you obviously have a very warm heart and it comes thru in your work. keep it up and best wishes- you're going to be successful regardless of the outcome of this contest.

You are a natural and draw us in...good tonal quality in the voice, good phrasing and pacing, ability to be light and serious with your questions at the same time. This sort of combination of personality, flexibility, and underlying intelligence in a radio personality is rare. You are one of those few who really know how to ask questions and then listen, still be active in the conversation without saying too much or not enough, and draw your subject out so we can discover the on air guest fully along with you. I hope you win.

Excellent work, my friend. Keep rising!

Al's voice has a good tone and he asked good, well-phrased questions. I have an interest in the subject matter and if I heard this on the radio I would appreciate the quality of the presentation and the choice of questions.

cool, and smooth. i don't know how you do it. without trying to be disparaging to the others, i can't help but notice that so far in my listening you seem to be the only one that is not plagued with a kind of self-conscious neurosis.

but maybe i *also* like you because you are a proud dad. me too.

Al,

You come across as intelligent, caring, still searching and growing. I love your presentation. Your basic good nature and humanity come across in nearly every word. In my humble opinion, you are the best of the lot.

in a unique voice. Your "ums and likes" can be finessed and trained. That does not deflect the power of your perspective. You sound different from anyone I've heard (with the exception of some folks who did not make it to the finals or top 100)interviewing the finalists or competing in this quest. Different and New and Fresh have been discounted for some reason or another. But I think you would bring a forceful crowd to the speakers...waiting to hear stories they relate to and care about. There's a space out there for your voice. Some lucky outlet will amplify it. All best to you!

"If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform a million realities."
---Maya Angelou

Far too many "um, it was like" and "you know" phrases for me to really listen to the content. It was much too distracting.

This is exactly what NPR is missing! He's intelligent and inviting. He has a lot to offer.

Al, I responded to your decisive voice. The ease in which you answered the questions shows me how you are engaged in your life and how your art is intertwined throughout your life. Your answers were insightful and heartfelt. Your confidence and experience comes through, very professional.

Love that you are willing to share your vulnerability with us, which also is a huge asset when you are the interviewer. Happy to see that you tackled a complex and important issue and thought your intro into it was well written.

a very worthy choice of themes. however it would have been good to have used the local problems as a jumping off point in order to illuminate what are in fact national crises. take care.

Your interview was the best interview I've heard in some time. The topic was important and interesting.You sound very comfortable and natural on the radio. I liked your answer to what you believe in, I think its extremely important for a radio host to believe in the power of words. I believe you will bring something to radio that is engaging and will reach all audiences. You are my pick!

Very nice, Al. Love the subject. Love the discussion about art as an anti-violence issue. You are calm and even, yet totally present. Nice job.

You strike a wonderful balance between conversational tone and firm interviewer. You have a silky smooth voice made for radio and a face I want to print out and tape to my radio. You're mega cool and I want to keep hearing more. More I say!

Sincere, clear and heartfelt my friend, who could not enjoy Al’s work!!!

I think it's great that you decided to take on a complicated issue!

After reading your blog on the entry, you're right on about city budget cuts being an issue that relate to a whole lot of people living in this country.

I enjoyed hearing you being interviewed...your ability to be genuine and at ease in front of a microphone makes you stiff competition!

Al is a great choice to win this competition. His interview style clearly is one that has a great deal of probative potential the kind of which public radio needs lots more. Al is the kind of host that could rival a BBC style of interviewing which is where radio needs to be going- more to the point. American radio hosts are slowly seeming to be there only to serve as an outlet for their guests' media appearances, not to uncover any news or truth. Once Al feels free to really interrogate someone, he'll make a loyal listener out of me. He's the kind of person you almost *want* to be interrogated by- he's firm but non-aggressive and you almost want to win his approval (esp if you listen to the second segment.) This shows that he cultivates immediate respect.

I already want to hear so many people be interviewed by Al. I just know that he would get good conversations going.

I was really moved by the second segment where Al shows us who he really is- a compassionate, thoughtful and observant participant. That's the kind of person i want to hear when I turn on my radio. Reminds me of why I listen to Terry Gross.

The interview hedid with the arts manager wasn't journalistically balanced - Al needed to be more probing, more devil's advocate earlier. Instead, Al was clearly a supporter of the arts and asked the homeowner question only at the end. The interview with Al himself was quite good, very honest and authentic and therefore, appealing. You have the sense of a man who has depth, something important for a host.

"woooorrrd." (sang in a jill scott bird-land syle)

i really liked what you said about healing with words... and the with the power of word... how we can overcome life's hurdles or even start to face things that we can't normally... that crumpled piece of poetry wHas a message from that girl's soul..

i find 'word' liberating.. something that is my retreat and comfort when im feeling isolated from this 'wordy world' ... or when im feeling happy.. it records feelings that i have.. and sometimes.. a dialog with the universe that acts as my prayer..

digg you al.. and your interview.. and discovering your own word...

jacksonville seems to have done you some good..

reX. bows..

reX. booth
take it to realiTy!
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/1679
www.rexsworld.com
rex@rexsworld.com

You are an incredible asset to the community of Jax. Your entry is solid and I hope others will recognize your potential and truly hear the enormous talent that is Al Letson.

A solid entry. I liked that you went with someone local, for something that affects you.

I'd have like to see you play devil's advocate a touch more strongly, though. Since it was the last question you asked in the clip, and it was phrased somewhat loosely, it seemed more like an afterthought than anything else.

Of course, you don't want to alienate your guest, but it would have been nice to try to get the interviewee to really address that issue. If this was an interview that was going out in the local community, that's the question that the homeowners who are taxpayers would really want an answer to.