05-07 Ted Lekas, former producer of KLOS’ Mark & Brian show talks about the highlights of the past Christmas Shows

As the executive producer of KLOS’s legendary Mark & Brian Show, Ted’s typical day encompassed managing talent, publicists, reporters, promotions, researching news stories and celebrity gossip, coordinating ticket give-aways, website promotions, and booking guests. He led a daily brainstorming session with the team, contributing ideas for new sketches, show segments and events.
The not as typical days were producing events including ten Mark & Brian Christmas Variety Shows, remote broadcasts and live Amphitheater shows that headlined the likes of Bon Jovi, Melissa Etheridge and Foreigner. As Mark & Brian have said, “Ted is a world class producer, he solves problems before they happen, his attention to detail is unparalled, and he never gets flustered.”
For this holiday season, we thought it would be fun to bring Ted into our studio and discuss his trails and tribulations of putting together the Christmas shows and talk about the ups and downs of the highly complicated holiday tradition.
And as a special bonus, we have added a few Mark & Brian holiday bits to the end of the podcast. So stay through the credits for more fun!

Show Notes:

Ted’s website where you can find more info on Ted, excerpts from the pasts Mark & Brian Christmas show, exclusive photos and much more: www.tedlekas.com

Mark & Brian 25 years Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/markandbrian25years/

As far as we know, there aren’t any new copies of Mark & Brian, Little Drummer Boys CD, but you can find some one ebay: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mark+%26+brian+little+drummer+boys+cd&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p4624852.m570.l1313

PLEASE NOTE, THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF PROFESSIONAL VIDEOS TAKEN OF THE MARK & BRIAN CHRISTMAS SHOWS, SO MOST OF THESE ARE FAN VIDEOS.

ALSO, SINCE THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF VIDEOS THE ONES WE HAVE LISTED HERE AND NOT NECESSARILY ONES THAT TED WORKED ON, BUT THEY ARE HERE TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF THE EVENT AS THEY HAPPENED.

Mark & Brian Christmas Carol – 1997 (note this event was before Ted was the producer) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aV27fb3m6U

Sammy Hagar/Michael Anthony-Poundcake@Mark & Brian Christmas Show 2011: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82_NaSNnh7Y

Mark & Brian 95.5 KLOS Christmas Yule Log: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spKyJ2DtakY

Mark & Brian Christmas Show 2010 - Do You Feel Like We Do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy0593CnMlk

Mark and Brian with Dana Delany, David Cassidy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3w1tLqZdgk

The Mark & Brian Christmas Show (December 20, 1991): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmnkxGVIkCk&list=RDnmnkxGVIkCk&start_radio=1

Toy Matinee - Live at The Mark & Brian Christmas Show (December 21, 1990): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcBDxmAksek&list=RDwcBDxmAksek&start_radio=1

mark and brian christmas show, judas priest, slash on stage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyupbyvfJ40&list=RDDyupbyvfJ40&start_radio=1

Mark & Brian Christmas Show 2011@Nokia Theatre: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=742bXk12hQY

Mark & Brian Christmas Show sound check "Living After Midnight": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mxy2PQrjBg

John Waite-Missing You@Mark & Brian XMAS Show 2010: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ks6mQP4XxE

Videos of some of the guests we had on the Christmas shows:

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Lost Christmas Eve Tour - Full Show - Buffalo, NY 12/4/2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OA2xxPxzUc&list=RD6OA2xxPxzUc&start_radio=1

Many musicians that were part of the past Mark & Brian Christmas shows have been guests on our podcast, including Leland Sklar, Gregg Bisonette, Beth Hart, Steve Lukather, Glenn Hughes and more. Please check out our past episodes for these great interviews.

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05-07 Ted Lekas, former producer of KLOS’ Mark & Brian show talks about the highlights of the past Christmas Shows

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