(EDITOR’S NOTE: I had to share this brilliant tribute to the late Calsey Johnson written by Andrew J. Burrows as a “Guest Commentary.” Calsey and I were not only very close friends, but we shared a strong professional bond as journalists dating back to the early 1960s. My sincere condolences to his wife Dulcena and the other members of his family.)
GUEST COMMENTARY
By ANDREW J. BURROWS
NASSAU, Bahamas, October 24, 2019 — He was my first real boss. He was already legendary by the time I encountered him, so those first few months were tense. I was still the young prodigy brought in by Obie Wilchcombe and one of the first things they gave me to do was editing his weekly “Commentary” segment.
“Hello Everyone” was his signature sign on. The photo of him in that beige suit sitting on the edge of his desk was the video that was laid on top. He spoke about a wide range of things that got his attention that week but for the most part, the previous editors of this segment would leave his image up with the occasional cut away clip.
When I got the assignment, I made the bold but fearful decision of marching up to his office to seek an audience with “The Man”. You have to understand that he was as much feared as he was beloved. He was no nonsense and he spoke his mind openly and was big on discipline and order. But he also appreciated creativity and had his own ideas. So I went to see him, in my stone-washed jeans and Public Enemy tee shirt and high top fade. I was 19 and still in COB so this was my get up. I will never forget it.
I was asked to come back later in the day but when I do, to have my suggestions in writing in the event he wouldn’t be able to see me. Again, I was 19. He didn’t get to see me and I never put it in writing. So Friday morning comes. Now, for those who don’t know, and I didn’t at the time, he would come in very early and record his Commentary and it would be the very first thing waiting for the video editors when they showed up around 1 PM. When I got in, he left a message on the 8 track cart, in his handwriting, for me to come and see him right away. I was afraid. I was still on probation so I was certain he was calling me to say goodbye.
I went up and sat in that chair waiting until my name was called. I walked into his office and he did not allow me to sit. He said, “Mr. Burrows, I was expecting to see something from you on the ideas for my commentary in writing earlier this week. Do you have it?”
I didn’t and was sure the next thing would be him saying see you later. He basically told me to avoid making promises, no matter how little, that I don’t follow up on because it creates expectations. He told me to go and make that week’s Commentary; however, I felt as long as it wasn’t bad and we’ll see what comes next.
I put so much video in that commentary that week that people were talking about it for the entire week that followed. I may have even gotten someone to shoot stuff for me. I put everything into that piece because I wanted to impress him.
When I tried to resign the first time, he tore up my letter after he read it. He sent me to talk to Obie Wilchcombe. Obie gave me my first producers credit by assigning me to Yvette Stuart’s show, “Time for Teens,” and I was to also be her reporter! Me! In front of the camera? I’m sure it was not Obie’s idea alone.
When I had Clico as a client, he and I connected again because he was an agent for them. He had a lot of ideas that the CEO allowed him to share. He’d give advice whether I wanted it or not and when I became News Director, he would call me and either chew me out or make suggestions or share his impressions. He would tell me how to deal with leaders. He was losing his capacity at that time, but I still could sense his heart and mind for broadcasting.
Now he is gone. Let’s hope someone has the idea to showcase his gift to this nation and remind us what we had.
“Hello Everyone.”
RIP to the one and only Calsey Johnson.
