I am often told stories about my childhood. Many of which I do not believe for a minute. But some stories I actually believe. I am told that a record player was my first and favorite toy.
Editors Note:
For our younger readers, a record player is something used back in the 'good old days' to play REAL MUSIC!!!!
I am also told that I used and destroyed 2 or 3 record players in my childhood. What I was using them for other than playing records that would cause them to be destroyed....well, you'll just have to coax that story out of me. As another story goes, I would start up the turntable just to watch the record label spin around. Simple, glorious times.
I am also told that I would insist my family be absolutely quiet while watching television. I made the demand so I could record the audio of my favorite TV show on a cassette machine and listen to them over and over again without any distracting family conversation in the background. My first radio production job.
Some years passed.
High school was when I discovered the joys of SCHOOL PLAYS and performing before a live audience. It was then that I realized what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. But I also knew I was too chicken to go through my adult years without a steady paycheck. So I went to college.
The State University of New York at Geneseo. My alma mater. And home to WGSU 89.3 FM. My first radio job. Well, not really a job. It was more a place to goof around on the air and learn first hand just how to be a radio personality.
Radio...yes. Personality...not even close.
But I decided to stick with it. Partly because I knew I couldn't work in a career that involved math or science or anything I'd have to get dressed up for. But mostly because I developed a true love for the medium of radio. A love I still have and always will.
After close to 20 years of professional broadcasting, I think I'm getting the hang of it. Now I get to make commercials all day and play on the radio for an hour every weeknight. And unlike my time on the high school stage...it truly is for the best that no one can see me. I fall down a lot during the commercials. No wait...that WOULD be funny to see. Maybe you can just imagine what it would look like and enjoy a little theatre in your mind. Just make sure you keep your ticket stub with you in case you go out of your head.
Editor's Note:
The line above is a horrible joke. And not all that funny. But keep listening. Every now and again...he get's in a good one.
You never know who might show up around broadcast central. Today, it's comedian ORLANDO JONES...in town for shows at The Comedy Club in Webster.
So I asked Orlando if he would read us a bedtime story. And he said...sure...as your drunk uncle.
And he did.
