This is the syndication demo for Fantasy Park, a 48 hour radio special hosted by Rod Serling and produced by my staff at KNUS, Dallas. This is theatre of the mind 1970’s style. It was our generation’s version of what Gordon McLendon used to do as he broadcast imaginary re-creations of major league baseball games on the Liberty Network. The idea came when one of our jocks blended several ‘live’ albums cuts in a way that made listeners think a real concert was being held. Fantasy Park took that idea as far as it would go!

GM Bart McLendon recruited his old teacher Rod Serling, who recorded the host segments, bumpers and custom promos and television spots.

Serling himself wrote the only disclaimer which aired each hour:

“Hello, This is Rod Serling and welcome back to Fantasy Park…..the crowds here today are unreal.”
And this one:
“This is Fantasy Park…the Greatest Live Concert….never held.”

Broadcast in nearly 200 markets, the 48 hour opus had college students hitchhiking all over America hoping to get to “Fantasy Park.” In New Orleans when the concert aired, the IRS came knocking on the doors of WNOE trying to attach the gate receipts to make sure the Feds got their cut!

In 1975 I had the honor of accepting the Billboard Magazine Award for Best Syndicated Radio Special on behalf of the McLendon Company, but complete credit belongs to Fantasy Park Producer Steve Blackson and Host Fred Kennedy, who fleshed out the concept, wrote it, and produced it on primitive equipment. This was truely the triumph of imagination over technology! Additional credit should go to Mitch Craig, Jake Roberts and Don Bishop.