| R. J. Adams | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 20, 1946 St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada |
| Occupation | Film Actors, Acting Coach, Radio personality |
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Spouse | Diane |
R. J. Adams (born September 20, 1946; St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada) is a film/television actor, acting coach, documentary filmmaker and radio personality.
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Born Robert Adams, he spent his early childhood years in St. Catharines, Ontario until the family headed across the border to Niagara Falls, New York. Known to his friends as Bob Adams, the aspiring actor/radio D.J. spent just a couple of years attending Bishop Duffy High school before dropping out and moving to New York City at the age of 17 to study acting with Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse. In late 1960 Adams landed a job as a page at NBC Burbank which led to a radio job in Phoenix and ultimately a twenty five year career in broadcasting as Bob Shannon. His on air career included radio stations in markets such as Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Seattle, Minneapolis/St. Paul, San Diego and Los Angeles. It was while working at KFI (AM) in the mid-1970s that Adams once again turned his attention back to film acting.
Adams began his 30 year radio career as Bob Shannon in the spring of 1964 with a weekend shift at KXIV Phoenix, Arizona until going full time, thanks to the efforts of play-by-play announcer Al McCoy who got him his first full time on-air job at KLBU Yuma, Arizona. From there it was on to KUTY Palmdale, California before making the giant leap to KDWB St. Paul, Minnesota by the end of the year. But it wasn't until Shannon arrived in Phoenix in mid June 1966 that he garnered his first major success at KRUX Phoenix, Arizona by rapidly climbing to number one in the market by beating all competitors by twenty plus points[1] utilizing a variety of crazy characters and outlandish antics such as the invasion of his show by the television rock group, The Monkees. The episode aired as the finale of the Group's first seaon. Following his departure from Phoenix Shannon held air shifts at WKBW Buffalo, New York and WKYC Cleveland, Ohio until landing the coveted early evening slot at KXOK St. Louis, Missouri where he again rose to the number one show in the market[2] beating his nearest rival by twenty plus ratings points
Following St. Louis, Shannon joined a couple of famous call letters including KJR Seattle, Washington, WIXY Cleveland, Ohio and KDKA before returning to KDWB Mpls/St.Paul as "BS" in the morning. It was here that he gained instant popularity by a myriad of stunts such as broadcasting live from the streets of the Twin cities while distributing cans of beans during the gas shortage of the mid 70's which he promoted as a, "Natural Gas Substitute". His name recognition eventually brought him to the attention of KFI Los Angeles in 1975 where he enjoyed several successful years doing afternoons as "BS in Drive". In 1976 Shannon with the help of his vast audience as well as the national media media,[3][4][5][6] succeeded in persuading NOA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to adopt male hurricane names in an effort to bring equal hurricane rights to men. Up until that time hurricanes had only been ames for women. His successful campaign brought about the Hurricane David.[7] the name of Shannon's son. From KFI, he went on to KHJ (AM) and KLAC, Los Angeles before retiring from radio in the mid 1980's to devote all his attention to Film acting.[8]
In 2000 following a 15 year absence from radio R.J. Adams returned to airwaves once again as Bob Shannon this time joining the air staff of KRTH 101 in Los Angeles...not to be confused with a radio personality of the same name who is midday host on New York City's most popular radio station, classic-hits WCBS-FM. In 2003 he ventured into talk radio as host of “Back Stage Live”, a Film and Television call in program specifically geared toward aspiring and professional actors on "Smart Talk" KRLA. Currently in production, Adams plays a serial killing priest in a dark suspense thriller. [9]
In 1975, Adams began began working with acting coach, Charles E. Conrad. He was cast in a variety of shows like: “The Monkees”, “Hotel”, The Practice”, “Archie Bunker’s Place”, “General Hospital”, “Kojak” and “Hill Street Blues”. Throughout the 80’s and 90’s to the present, Adams has appeared in dozens of film and television projects like: “Rocky IV”, “The “Execution”, “Falling Through”, “Murder She Wrote” and as a series regular on “Riptide”.
Shortly after leaving the Charles E. Conrad Studio in 1978, Adams began teaching a handful of actors from the local community college that has led to a thirty year coaching career at The Actors Workshop. Some of his former students include Kristy Swanson, Brian Krause, Sarah Lancaster. Vicellous Reon Shannon and Schae Harrison. Mr. Adams has appeared as a panelist for the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, acting coach for the AFTRA workshops and as a guest speaker at various high schools, colleges and universities as well as the ongoing host of the "Coaching Corner" on the Virtual Channel Network. The Actors Workshop is currently ranked as one of the top 3 Acting Schools in California.[10]
In 1976, Adams founded Shannon & Company which served Orange County and Los Angeles as a full service advertising agency until the company converted to a broadcast and film production company in the 1980s focusing primarily on historical documentary projects and docudramas. The company rolled out a number of films including: “Ruins of the Reich”, “The Missions of California”, “Order Castles of the Third Reich” and “The Final Journey”.
Adams is married to Diane C. Adams and has four children. Jill an executive with the Disney Corporation, Kara a special ed teacher, David production director for Shannon & Company productions and Rob Adams, acting coach at The Actors Workshop.[11] Mr. Adams is an FAA licensed IFR/Commercial pilot and has flown various planes ranging from the Cessna 150 to the Cessna CE 550 corporate Jet.