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FRANK R MAY
MY MUSIC RADIO & TELEVISION CONNECTIONS
were all made through social interaction, sharing psychic readings, the gifting of song lyrics, and being an enthusiast for all of the performing arts, and music. International shortwave broadcasting, and amateur radio opened the doors around the world to many people and places. Friendships made when quite young with many people of influence continued into my adult life when travelling overseas.
As for television, my great great grandfather is also the grandfather of John Logie Baird (in other words JLB is my grandfather's cousin) For those who do not know, John Logie Baird was the first inventor of television. This fact I was always reminded of in our family history by my mother. Unfortunately his TV creation did not ultimately succeed as World War Two, financial constraints, and other developments in television that were using different methods for live transmitting and receiving eventually took over. These technology alternatives had better backing and eventually became more successful as part of the future home entertainment centres replacing radio for light entertainment.
John Logie Baird, is certainly not forgotten by myself for his pioneering efforts, and the world thankfully has not forgotten his initial input either.
As for me, it seems I am directed to be a messenger Sometimes with song lyrics, more often than not, attached to many psychic predictions. These few examples below are just a small sum of many words and with whom the connections were made. There are other lyrical links with other artists out there in the world as well. The list is long. Who gave me that power to make such changes is something all should think about. One needs to give thanks to the creator. There are seven videos of my personal lyrical favourites are on my contact page. There are a lot more lyric connections. Some of those are mentioned in the list below.
PrisCilla-Elvis - I Got A Thing About You
John Lennon - Nobody Told Me
Billy Joel - We Didn't Start The Fire
Paula Abdul - Opposites Attract.
Paul Simon - Graceland CD. Majority of Tracks
Men At Work - Down Under
Madonna - Vogue, Hanky Panky, Like A Prayer, and others.
Little River Band - Cool Change , Classic Collection CD.
I have also been the provider of the original Idea for the following TV programmes which have been successful over the last 40 years. Why I have been been put in the right place at the right time.? Why it just happens just like that? You need to ask my guide.
Sons and Daughters
This idea came about when I attended a writers guild dinner at the Sydney Opera House. My partner and I shared a table with another writer and tv producer and their wives. An idea to kick off a new tv series came about. I shared a story about an heir to the throne far removed who was studying in France. He met another student and fell in love. When the plans for marriage were getting organised, "shock horror" they found they were actually brother and sister and the wedding could not officially go ahead. That story provided the opening thread for the TV series with the above title.
All Creatures and Small
Many years ago (1970/71 ? Not sure which year) I was driving through Yorkshire and heading back to my home (at the time) in Market Rasen I stopped off at pub for a beer and a sandwich for lunch.
Exchanging some pleasantries with the owner he informed me I should meet a fellow writer Alf Wight who was a regular every lunchtime. Alf and I ended up chatting together and I remember commending him on his dedication and fine work he had done over the years. His writing intrigued me enough to then suggest he should go to London and meet a radio announcer I knew who could perhaps in turn then introduce him to the right producer to turn his stories into a television series. I assured him this would be a successful move as it would certainly increase his booksales. We parted company and I returned home to resume work. Of course we know all about the successful TV series in plural that followed that meeting. Was I the messenger that prompted him to go in that direction for TV success.? Do not know, and I never asked.
This page is now under
a gradual reconstruction.
To be continued........
The Amazing Race
This story begins after a flight from London to New York when I was heading to Los Angeles for a few days. In New York I stayed at a youth hostel/ backpackers in 8th avenue opposite a fire station. (this location is relevant in another story.) I decided to talk and walk around 19:30 and found a bar for good coffee. Inside it was full of gold records for various achievments in the music industry. I exchanged many different stories with the owner/manager who suggested I should meet some producer friends who were in NY. Around 9.45 they arrived. We shared some conversation why they were in NY. Apparently it was a CBS conference where they were looking for ideas so they could plan ahead for the future of their TV network. My suggestion was a race around the world for about a dozen couples who would be eliminated one by one. They would perform many various challenges or tasks where the last one to finish daily would be eliminated. It was the idea for TAR. These smart ass producers tried to convince me they had thought of the idea three days before. When a fourth producer came in to the bar named AMDI they then played charades behind my back while this female tried to explain an idea that she had never heard of. Shame on you Bertram, Jerry and another whose name escapes me for trying to create this deception. Of course there are other witnesses present, who also got an idea for a documentary to take place four years later in 2001 just before the twin towers were demolished. I still retain the business card from Bertram where I had to use it to pass on a message for Phil Keoghan who at that time was in the Auckland studio in LA. Even the NY times has reported on this event as shared here. Be aware my friends.
Masterchef
I am again reminded (with the start of another series of Australian Masterchef how big an idea can grow. Masterchef is my original idea. It all started when sitting with Michel, Gregg, and John in a small restaurant in Hanwell, West London in the late 90's.
I happened to mention I was back from NY and LA providing ideas for TV programmes (TAR and others) All three interested to see what I could provide for them. So it began. The idea was conceived for a competition between novice cooks. over the dessert part of a a meal that Gregg had prepared. With this idea during this creative session I happened to mention I worked briefly with in the 80s in SydneyI as a relief cook for a chef named Greg. I worked in Greg's kitchen while he had time out. His mother made sure I did everything right feeding the workers he looked after in this very large manufacturing company next to Sydney airport.
The Greg I mentioned just happened to end up the master of the Australian version of this programme. I assume that John Gregg or Michel with their own Chef's network could make the people connection as well with these other chefs in Australia at that time this idea was shared. Undoubtedly they did re-make the connections that they probably already had. We all know what happened once the series made UK television. I was the link the original ideas person. The messenger. Need I say any more.
© 2021 by Frank R May.
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