We've all heard the phrase, "Necessity is the mother of invention." It's certainly true in the history of After MidNite. However, there were two necessities that needed to be met in this instance. First, was radio's need for an answer to the problem of staffing the overnight shift. Second, was Blair Garner's desire to work for himself.

When Blair first moved to Los Angeles, he had just left a lucrative, high profile job at ABC in New York City. There was one thing he knew for sure: he didn't like working under someone else's direction. Like his schoolteacher might have said, "he's a good kid, but doesn't play well with others." Sure enough, Blair wanted to strike out on his own. Over dinner, a close friend suggested that Blair try syndication. It seemed easy enough, and his track record of success almost assured interest from potential syndicators. Through the ensuing conversation it became clear that every radio station shared a significant problem: Staffing the overnight daypart. Usually, the d.j.'s that work the overnight shift are those that are still developing their craft. As they improve, they seek out jobs during daytime hours that command higher salaries. As a result, the program director is often left with a revolving door of DJ's that host that shift. Their time is better spent working with the morning and afternoon talents. After all, that's where the money is. So there was the need. The question then became "Is anyone listening?"

In doing some research, Blair determined that nearly thirty to forty percent of a single station's daytime audience share is retained overnights. For one station, those numbers were hardly enough to set the sales force on fire. But, if you took that thirty to forty percent from a station in Pittsburgh, and added that to one from Milwaukee, and on and on, you would have a huge listenership before long. That was the idea at least. But, would it work? The first call Blair made was to a trusted friend back at ABC Radio Networks. It was Rod West, Casey Kasem's boss at American Top 40. Over lunch Blair ran the idea by Rod. Try as he may, however, Rod couldn't think of a reason it wouldn't work. Over the next month the two consulted regularly. Finally, Blair convinced Rod he should leave ABC and join him to launch this new company.