By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Tuesday, July 21, 2015
The 15th annual News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB Careathon for AFLAC Cancer and Blood Disorders Center pulled in more than $1.5 million from its listeners earlier this week.
Last year, the station drew a record $1.6 million. Over 15 years, the station has raised more than $17 million.
One big enticement for 25 lucky fans giving at least $1,000 was autographed gear from Hall of Fame Braves pitcher John Smoltz, who showed up Tuesday morning to talk about his career with legendary sportscaster Ernie Johnson and talk show host Herman Cain.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Dr. William Woods, who runs the center, on air called this center a "labor of love." "We have brought innovative treatment options" to Atlanta, he said. Otherwise, local parents would have to have to fly their kids elsewhere for treatment. And the good news is over the years, survival rates for kids with cancer and blood disorders have gradually gone up.
"I knew our listeners respond if we tell them the story," said morning host Scott Slade after the careathon. He came up with the idea 15 years ago. "It has become one of the most successful radio events in the country of this type. We're honored to do this and I hope we can do this for years to come."
Neal Boortz comes back every year from retirement to donate his time. He spent a couple of hours with his former producer Belinda Skelton, followed by a comical hour with Clark Howard
When Clark called Neal a legend, Neal cracked, "a legend - like the yeti."
Clark honestly had no idea what a yeti was, which bemused Neal to no end. Neal then mocked Costco for its corporate politics, much to Clark's horror.
"I will not be assimilated," Clark told Neal at one point.
Neal: "I notice your buttons on your shirt are to the right like every man’s shirt.You won't be part of the collective? I bet you’re wearing right-handed underwear right now!"
Clark laughed and laughed.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Earlier, I caught up with Boortz for a few minutes before he started his afternoon shift to catch up on life two and a half years since he retired from his daily show. He continues to do short daily commentaries for WSB and three or four weekly 10 to 40-minute rants for subscribers on ConnectPal but is no longer Cain's primary sub.
He said over the past year since I last saw him, he has traveled to Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii, plus placed 8,000 miles on his "Boortz bus." He is currently residing in Breckenridge, Col. over the summer.
"When I wake up in Breckenridge, Col. I relax outside with a TV. It's 41. The high? It goes up 72 degrees," he said.
He said he and his wife do some advance travel planning but sometimes, they just wing it. "It's a great lifestyle," he said. "I haven't run into Clarence Thomas yet. He's on a motor coach somewhere." Someone has apparently mistaken Boortz for Thomas, he said. (Huh?) "We meet some interesting people," he said.
He said his subscriber-only podcast is doing well but wouldn't reveal his subscriber numbers. But it’s enough incentive to keep him doing it. "It's good coin," he said.
Boortz, who was on Atlanta radio for more than four decades until early 2013, does not miss the grind of the daily radio show - just the people like Skelton. "Let someone else carry that torch now," he said. "I'm having too much damn fun."
He said he planned to make fun of Skelton and quickly went after her before the mic was even live, wondering why she was wearing the same dress as last year. "This is brand new," Skelton protested with signature pique. "I just got it on sale so I can't return it. So don't say anything bad! I took the tags off this morning."
On air, he was in a lighthearted mode: "Neal Boortz, back in the saddle again, with a bunch of cute people... and Belinda!"
But after a few minutes talking about J. Christopher gift cards he's giving away to donors, he weighed in on a couple of hot topics burning him: President Obama's Iran deal and Donald Trump.
He channels Obama this way "The Senators and representative you elected to Washington don't count for squat! I'm going to get the United Nations Security Council to approve this, which includes Russia. What they say is good enough, that satisfies me. The rest of you can pound sand!"
On Trump: "The GOP fascination with Donald Trump is very similar to the fascination you have with the smoking, heavy drinking hot woman covered with tattoos at a bar. That would be interesting for maybe a day or so but I certainly wouldn't want a long-term relationship with that!
He then called Trump "a jerk" and said the time he saw Trump's pad in New York, "it looked like a French brothel!"
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
He then got to business raising money for the cancer center. "Why are we in such a good mood here? We're trying to get you to donate for kids with cancer and blood disorders. This place is designed and staffed to make you feel good especially the children and their parents going through anguish."
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
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