Ruby in the Rough (Hardcover)

This is the bold, brash, outspokenly frank autobiography of one of the leading program innovators in the radio broadcast industry. Bob Ruby, known simply as Ruby to his vast listening audience, displays in this volume the wit, charm, and audacity that led to his rise to a position as the number one morning personality in the New Orleans radio market. The veteran broadcaster for radio station WWL writes candidly of the many zany and often extraordinary happenings that became a trademark of his daily show. His broadcast of a taped interview with Sandra Good, for example, in which the acknowledged member of the Charles Manson family threatened the lives of numerous American business executives, made headlines throughout the nation and led to his appearance as a witness at her trial. Ruby discusses the evolution of his own singular style as a one-man variety show. Clearly, he provides the unusual-something out of the ordinary. His lively monologue each morning was designed to generate call-ins and to encourage listener participation in the show. His consistently high ratings attested to his success. Ruby concludes this work on a serious note, offering his personal assessment of the broadcast industry-its strengths, its weaknesses, and its growing problems, including the controversial area of government regulation. With insight sharpened by experience, he declares that radio is enjoying its last glory days and provides a personal view of what the future of broadcasting holds.