Legendary Vocal Coach Norma Garbo Guests on Harrison Podcast

Norma Garbo – the renowned New York City-based vocal coach who has mentored some of the biggest stars in show business from Taylor Swift to Tommy James – is this week’s guest on the TALKERS MEDIA video podcast, “Up Close Far Out with Michael Harrison.”
Throughout her remarkable, decades-spanning career, in addition to coaching, she has performed onstage or recorded in the studio alongside music icons such as Billy Joel, Jimmy Cliff, Patty Austin, Gloria Gaynor, Melba Moore, Laura Branigan, Eddie Kendricks, Valerie Simpson, Luther Vandross, and more.
She is also a pioneer in the development of voice feminization for transgender clients.
Garbo discusses vocal techniques and advice for both singers and media talkers to improve their audio presence, describing the human body as a “musical instrument.” You can learn more about Norma Garbo at the websites vocalcoachgarbo.com and feminizingthevoice.com.

TALKERS founder Michael Harrison is this week’s guest on the National Press Club’s official podcast, Update-1, in which he tackles the topic “Predicting the Future of Media Following the Shutdown of CBS News Radio.” Interviewed by noted American University media professor Gemma Puglisi, Harrison addresses such issues as changes in the tenets of journalism and the general shrinkage of radio news. Along the way, he offers his insights into a variety of media and societal topics including the impact of clickbait and what he describes as “the daily dance of affirmation” resulting
from the trend toward news platforms “targeting” audiences for purely marketing purposes. Harrison defends AI from critics who claim the technology lacks “heart” and that audiences will swing back to the “authenticity” being destroyed by AI slop. Harrison makes the case that what counts is the humanity behind the operation of AI which is “only a tool.” He says, “Blaming AI for shallow content is like attributing shoddy novels to the invention of the word processor.” Harrison boldly predicts that AI and modern technology will hasten the “death of Hollywood” as we know it among other insights into the future of news, entertainment, and communications. Don’t miss this!
and KCBS, San Francisco – will become available “later this year.” Audacy CEO and president Kelli Turner states, “Audacy’s sports brands are deeply connected to the cities, teams and fan communities they serve, and being able to extend our reach nationally through SiriusXM is a natural fit. We look forward to working together with
CEO John Catsimatidis states, “Audiences around the globe deserve the facts about what is going on in our world and that is why we created the Worldwide News Network. We’re delighted to partner with BLR and look forward to working with them as we continue to expand our reach into more European markets and around the world.” Worldwide News Network SVP of news and programming Lee Harris comments, “Expanding beyond the U.S. is an important milestone for Worldwide News Network. We’re excited to partner with BLR to bring an authentic American perspective on world events. This is the first step in building an international network of partners who value trusted, high-quality radio journalism.”
The key takeaways include: 1) AM/FM radio’s “big data” moment has arrived with massive sample sizes that grow each month: TV has long had cable set top data and smart TV data to generate large samples of tuning data. It’s now radio’s turn! Just like cable set top data, there are no demographics but all markets have large samples. Overall, sample sizes are 5-10X bigger than current ratings samples; 2) Overnight ratings in over 300 markets: In an industry first, every market now has audience shares from yesterday. See your station’s daily audience trends refreshed each day; 3) All listening occurs with humans present: 25% of TV viewing occurs to an empty room but AM/FM radio listening in traveling vehicles always has humans present!; 4) Large samples mean stable listening trends: In all sized markets and for all sized stations, daily share trends are stable and consistent; and 5) AM/FM radio now has modern, cutting edge, timely measurement, which does not rely on a consumer’s memory or require a consumer to do something (like wear a gizmo).
around getting a little smoke in my lungs, then go out and live your life. I find the pandemonium about some smoky conditions in Western Pennsylvania for like 26 hours to be over the top – especially when you consider this: some of our grandparents lived like this every day here and smoked a pack a day on top of it.” The communications director for Allegheny County executive Sara Innamorato, Abigail Gardner, testily responded to Dunlap suggesting he go smoke a pack on a bridge – and then jump.” Gardner later apologized for her “lapse in judgement.”
tickets were nonexistent, he had to find more investors to pay off the earlier debts. He served time from 2021 to 2023. That case involved eight investors and about $1.5 million. This latest conviction involved four investors and a little more than $1.5 million. Prosecutors say he diverted most of the funds to pay off earlier investors and used the rest for gambling and personal expenses. Tirrell will be sentenced at a later date and could get up to 20 years on each count. During his days on the air in Iowa, Tirrell hosted shows at KXNO, KXLQ, and KBGG in Des Moines, as well as KJJC, Osceola, Iowa. 
Senator Darline Graham (R-SC), sister of late Senator Lindsey Graham. FNC says, “During the interview Senator Graham will reflect on her brother’s legacy, the shared values that shaped their family and upbringing and her decision to carry on his public service representing the people of South Carolina following his passing.”
helped shape Salem Surround into the business it is today through his commitment to our people, our clients, and our local markets. We’re incredibly grateful for everything he’s contributed and wish him the very best in his retirement.” The company says that Christian Kligora, senior director of multimedia sales, will assume interim leadership of Salem Surround’s revenue organization. Additionally, Salem says that William Cosey and Jonathan Greer will continue leading Salem Surround’s operations, fulfillment, and client execution, ensuring continuity for customers, vendors, sales teams, and internal stakeholders.
Entertainment, it debuts on Wednesday (7/22) on YouTube and other podcast platforms. Carton comments, “There’s nothing better than swapping takes with Wayne on sports, pop culture and a whole host of other topics. ‘The Joint Venture Show’ gives us a great excuse to keep doing what we’ve been doing for years, while also having some famous friends stop by and chop it up with us. There’s no better job in the world.”
to SVP of revenue development after having served as president and general manager for the company’s Charleston, South Carolina cluster for the past eight years. O’Malley says, “I’m honored by the opportunity to help lead Saga’s next phase of growth by developing innovative revenue strategies, strengthening client partnerships, and working alongside our exceptional fulfillment partners and corporate team.”
Radio stations used to announce the present temperature at the end of the weather forecast, empowering listeners who are heading out to dress accordingly. It’s the ultimate live-N-local information.
leadership around the priorities that matter most, and I’m confident they will help us move quickly, enhance innovation and stay at the leading edge of a changing media landscape as we build toward the future.”
intended to strengthen coordination and execution across our operational functions. Clayton Nix is now chief financial officer. Jones says Nix has become an instrumental member of the executive team in guiding the company’s financial direction, and this title reflects both his growing responsibilities and his impact in shaping our strategic decisions, enhancing partner service and delivering industry insight through reporting and analytics.
local newsrooms, silence community reporting, and drive-up costs for the American families who depend on local stations for news and emergency alerts. A free and diverse media landscape depends on real limits on how much of the public airwaves any one company can control, and this FCC is now poised to allow local broadcasters to sell those airwaves off to the highest bidder. Congress set the 39 percent national ownership cap in federal law, and only Congress has the authority to raise or eliminate it. The Commission cannot waive away that limit simply because these corporate behemoths want to get out from under it.”
owned an in-car infotainment system, and 40% own one today. In 2019, 86% of in-car listening time among those who have an Android Auto or Apple CarPlay went to non-digital sources such as AM/FM over-the-air, SiriusXM satellite radio, and owned music like CDs. Now, seven years later, in-car infotainment owners spend 36% of their total in-car audio time with digital sources including streaming music, AM/FM streaming, podcasts, and audiobooks. Even on, 64% still goes to non-digital sources like AM/FM over-the air radio and satellite radio.