Michael Johnson's Bio

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Whatever moniker finds its way between his first and last names, to the terrified technophobe on the AIRdaily listserv, Michael is an archangel in the world of digital deviltry. He might be posting on libel law, voice coaching, computer viruses, motion picture sound effects, glitches in URLs, new software or old harddrives, but the voice is always the same -- calm, humorous, humane.

Michael Johnson has been training people to do good in public radio for 20 years. But, baby, that's not all.

Michael's produced music shows for 13 years on KALW and KPFA in San Francisco. He's an associate producer for Lost and Found Sound, editor and digital mix engineer for "Spirits Of The Present: The Legacy From Native America" for Radio Smithsonian (PRI), and associate producer for the documentary series "Legacies: Tales from America".

He's been a freelance producer and reporter for the BBC and served on assignment in Managua, Nicaragua, during the Contra-Sandinista Civil War. He's a commentator for 1stPerson.org and a training consultant for NPR.

And he was previously general manager of KALW-FM, San Francisco.

Currently, Michael Johnson is digital training manager at KQED-FM and senior producer of the Hot Soup Program.

Plus, he's the funniest man on the planet writing about minidisc TOC problems:

I did kind of enjoy the sound of Elvis Costello singing "Watching the Detectives" from a "mis-cloned" minidisc at a weird half speed, reminiscent of Tom Waits gargling on a bad morning. I'll have to use the effect for an audio art piece someday... So far I've lost over 60 pounds using the Minidisc TOC Recovery System, and I know it can work for you too.

And he offers the kind of advice that's disarmingly reassuring:

Seeking a good mic? Try and see if you can borrow one first and see how it sounds. If you like it, that's probably the mic that's right for you.

Michael Johnson routinely signs off his AIRdaily posts to nervous Indies with the admonition to email him offlist, or phone, or drop by his studios. It always has the effect of a benediction: that grace will follow.

Now it's even easier to be blessed: Michael Johnson graces the AIR Member Spotlight Tuesday, December 17th at 8 PM Eastern Time. Log on and your prayers just might be answered.

Audio
  Talking to Sophia [story] (03.54). Download: MP3 [1.5mb]