Tom's Radio Basics

I know...I know...It's been a while. How've you been?

2011-10-26T23:13:00.000-04:00

So it's been a year and two months since I've been the morning radio host here in Knox, Indiana. After hearing what happened to some of my radio bretheren today in Indianapolis, I have become more and more convinced that I've made the right move.

In the time I've been here. I've been a part of some interesting promotions that have never been done here before:

We broadcast an entire day on our front lawn, complete with bounce house and an electric car!
As of this writing WKVI is getting ready to host it's second Pumpkin Drop. (True..other stations I've worked at have done this. Hi Smiley! But this kinda thing has never happened up here before)
I've taken my flip cam all around the area to tape my exploits, see an earlier post here for some of those videos.
This past Summer, I've MC'ed or judged at least 5 different pagents.
I got to go Power Parachuting!!

And that's not all. There's still more in the pipeline.

The stations sound has improved 1,000 percent since my arrival, not because of my arrival, though.

The music library has been tightened up. The music list has been trimmed. We have new automation software (nexgen) that allows us to voice-track both out FM and AM stations. The company that owns these stations is a firm believer in live local radio, and I'm going to make sure that trend continues here.

Also...we have JINGLES!!

I am such a radio nerd. I always threatened that I would retire if I ever got a jingle with my name in it. Well I got one, but I'm not going anywhere!!

We have online streaming! If I may throw in a quick plug, just go to http://www.wkvi.com/ and check out both our AM and FM streams. I'm on live in the morning on the FM, and I'm voicetracked afternoons on the AM country station.

I know...voicetracking is evil. I consider my AM VT shift to me a challenge. I am doing my best to make that time sound live and local, and not just liner card driven.

The past year also gave me a radio first. We covered a funeral procession for a local Vietnam vet. Forty-one years after being listed as Missing in Action (MIA) in Vietnam, CW3 George A "Andy" Howes came home to Knox in a funeral procession that began in Indianapolis. I hosted coverage of the ceremony once the procession arrived in town.

There are plenty more things to come. I can't wait!

I will try to blog here more often. There's also my Facebook page, and my Youtube Channel, as well.

See you later.

My life at WKVI

2010-09-02T11:09:00.001-04:00

I just wanted to take a sec and update you on my new gig at WKVI-FM in Knox, IN.

In case you didn't get the word, I started as morning man here Monday August 2nd.

It's been a lot of fun. It was a major re-location to be sure. I think the gamble is paying off though.

I bought one of those Hi-Def Flip cams, and have been running around the listening area shaking hands and kissing babies. I wanted to use this blog entry as a sort of bookmark for all the videos I've done so far.

Enjoy!

Here We Go Again!!

2010-07-25T20:28:00.000-04:00

Well after about 2 years of bouncing around working part time here and there. I finally have a full time job.

Beginning Monday August 2nd, I'll be hosting a morning drive radio show on WKVI-FM 99.3 in Knox, Indiana.

My own morning radio show, just what I always wanted..WOOOO!

I tried to make my mark in Indianapolis, but the stars never aligned for me. So I have to go where the jobs are.

As long as they'll have me, I'll be holding onto this job until they pry the microphone from my cold, dead fingers!

They don't stream on the web, but I will try to get highlights from the morning show posted from time to time.

I am VERY excited about this opportunity and can't wait to get started.

During these past 2 years, I was sorely tempted to go out and get a 'real' job, but you know what? This IS a real job!!

I was almost a customer service rep for AT&T, a server at Dave & Busters, even a salesman! All noble professions, and if I HAD been hired for any one of these jobs, I would've given it my best. But holding out for this opportunity feels right.

Only time will tell...wish me luck!!

Star Wars

2010-05-25T09:05:00.000-04:00

33 years ago today, Star Wars was released. I thought I'd take a few minutes and talk about how I became a fan.

My mom wanted to take me out to a movie at the Eastwood theater on the northeast side of Indianapolis. The theater was known for having a huge 70mm screen. Some sci-fi movie was playing there that no one knew a lot about, but the ad in the paper looked interesting. We thought we'd give it a shot.

I was blown away, like millions of other people were around the country. I lost count of how many times I saw it.

Keep in mind, in 1977 I was almost 14 when the movie came out. So my enthusiasm for the movie didn't extend much past just watching the movie.

I never dressed up as my favorite character.
I didn't collect the comic books
I didn't collect the figures

One thing I did do was get the soundtrack from the movie. Remember what the cover looked like?

The album also contained a poster, I was in seventh heaven listening to that album over and over and over.

Remember this was before VHS and DVD, so this was the only way for me to take a piece of the movie home and re-live in in my imagination as often as I wanted.

(I saw the other 2 movies from the original trilogy as well, with equal amounts of excitement, but I want to keep this post on point about the movie that started it all.)

Fast forward to June of 2001.

I was working as a traffic reporter for Metro Networks, when for some reason that I don't recall as I write this, I thought I'd do a search on the internet to see if there were any "Star Wars" enthusiasts/fans in some kind of organized group in Indianapolis.

I found "The Indy Knights". A small group of fans who meet once a month to talk about the movies, as well as all things sci-fi. How can you not love a group whose motto is: "Hoosier Daddy, Luke?" The group was about 10-15 members strong when I attended my first gathering. So small that meetings were held in members homes at first.

So I started attending meetings, enjoying the company of people who enjoyed the movie as much, and in some cases a little more than I do.

One particular meeting included a screening of the Episode 1 DVD. At this particular house there was a "Star Wars Room" complete with figures and other assorted memorabilia. I remember lamenting that I wish I had started my collection 24 years ago. It was then that I heard those fateful words:

"It's never too late to start."

So I decided, what the heck. It was then that I started collecting figures. I started with stuff you could easily buy in stores. It ramped up to older figures, and then comic books past and present.

But that's it!

If I had the funds, my collection could've grown in so many different directions: books, art, arcade games, costuming, and that is just the tip of the iceberg.

So that brings you up to date to where I am now. I take a lot of good natured ribbing for being a fan, at times I am called a 'geek'. But I don't care. I am who I am.

Because my career hasn't been going all that well these last few years, I've had to cut back on my collecting save for the occasional comic book binge.

So that's how it all began for me. Are you a Star Wars fan as well? It's OK, you can tell me. Maybe I'll see you at the next Indy Knights meeting.

You know how this post is going to end don't you.

May The Force Be With You....Always.

Parks and Recreation!

2010-05-20T08:46:00.002-04:00

I had an interesting day yesterday.

In addition to radio work, I also freelance as 'talent' for Artistic Enterprises. What that means is that occasionally I audition to be on tv commercials, training videos, and stuff like that.

I received an email a couple of days ago from the agency, asking that I be at the statehouse for a video shoot involving the Indiana Department of Parks and Recreation.

So I get dressed up in an outfit that I haven't worn since my TV traffic reporting days and meet with 15 other people who were also asked to be there. No one knew exactly what was going on. We all thought it was a political commercial, or some kind of public service announcement.

After we all gathered in the lobby, we were ushered to the house chamber. Still no clue as to what was happening. I had never been to the statehouse before, not even on a school tour. I was soaking all this in, taking pics with my phone.

Once we got inside the chamber, all of us had to sign releases. That's when it hit us. On the release, I saw the words, "NBC" and "Parks and Rec". At that moment, we realized that this was no ordinary assignment. We were going to be extras on the hit NBC show!!! Clearly a mistake was made somewhere, at least as far as my involvement here is concerned.

We were told that we are supposed to act like politicians pretending to listen to a speech at the podium, and we are supposed to be bored as we listen. 15 people were scattered around the chamber sitting in random chairs.

I was lucky enough to have a different assignment. I got to be a photographer pretending to take pictures of Amy Poehler. So while everyone else was sitting around, I actually got to move around a little bit.

WTHR, the NBC affiliate, was there as well doing a story about the whole thing. I got to talk to reporter Kevin Rader and told him about how I got involved in the shoot. I again stressed how some kind of mistake has been made, and what the heck was I doing there?

What an experience! For about 2 hours all I did was take a bunch of fake pictures of an empty podium. I was a little nervous at first, but once we got started, the time flew by. When we finished, everyone looked at each other as if to say, "That's it?"

The footage that was shot is going to be used in the show next season. A part of the chamber is going to be re-created in Hollywood. Then the stuff that was shot here will be combined with the stuff there. All in all I'll probably be an inch tall on your tv when the episode airs.

So..how much did I make? Well I honestly don't know yet. I did get reimbursed $14 for parking!

So I've got THAT going for me...which is nice.

Another New Gig!

2010-02-14T16:50:00.005-04:00

Here I go again.

While I have a few irons in the fire to start out the year, for now I am a listener advocate at my1079.

What is a listener advocate?

It's an interesting job.

The station runs without jocks, but I'm there every morning from 6-11am taking requests on the phone and by email.

I also update all of our social networking, and the station website.

I also co-anchor the Fox Newstalk 1430-AM noon news with Bob Horner.

You can call 228-1079 to make your request. or you can email me at onair@my1079online.com

The GAB and OMG! sections of the website are the most interactive. I post interesting news stories for you to comment on, video clips to watch, etc.

Check it out and see what you think.

Click here to go to the website.

A Brief Update

2009-10-26T07:04:00.003-04:00

I realize it's been a while since I've updated here, bad blogger!

I just wasn't in the mood to update after having Oldies 101.9 sold out from under me. The self-esteem took a hit, and I just didn't feel like dragging you down with my bad vibes. Are you still there?

Anyway, I'm OK.

Today I'm hitting the pavement with an arm load of audition tapes and resumes, so we'll see what happens.

I enjoy working in media, whether it be radio or television, and I hope to be back in the saddle very soon. If not, look forward to hearing me at a restaurant near you saying, "Would you like fries with that?"

OK Gang, It's put up or shut up time!

2009-05-30T09:57:00.003-04:00

Monday night, June 1st, I begin hosting a new show on Oldies 101.9.

It's called "All Request Summer Nights".

FYI...the show WILL last past the summer. We'll come up with another title once we get to September. (All Request Autumn Nights??)

The show will be music intensive with LOTS of phone calls.

Here's where you come in.

I have over 400 facebook friends, a lot of whom friended me because I used to work with Smiley, or some other media association.

This time, I'm on my own. I will need your help. Call me, 849-1019.

I don't care if your a DJ working for another radio station or not. Disguise your voice. Use a fake name. I don't care.

I have 5 hours to fill Monday through Friday!!

There will be topics, and themes to help you out.

I hear people in and out of the biz complain all the time about how radio is becoming generic. What with voice tracking (pre-recording a show), or syndication (Ryan Seacrest, Delilah, John Tesh) no one believes in live, local radio anymore.

Well, my boss does. That's why he gave me this opportunity. I hope you won't let it go to waste.

849-1019

See you Monday!

Breaking News!

2009-05-17T22:41:00.006-04:00

Please excuse the blatant self promotion, but isn't that what a blog is for?

(FYI: I wrote this, my first press release)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Indianapolis Radio/TV Personality returns to host "All Request Summer Nights-The Greatest Hits of All Time by Request" on WKLU-FM, Oldies 101.9.

Indianapolis, Indiana - May 18, 2009 - Indianapolis Radio/TV personality Tom Berg returns to host a live, local radio show on Oldies 101.9 beginning June 1st.

Berg will host "All Request Summer Nights" weeknights from 7pm until midnight.

The show will be the only live night time radio show in Indianapolis. Other radio stations either run pre-recorded, or syndicated shows after 7pm.

Mr. Berg feels that summer-time is the best time to launch a show like this.

"The sun will be up later, people will be out later and there should be someone live on the radio to be there for you." Berg continued, "Go ahead and try to call other radio stations to make a request after 7pm, you'll get a busy signal, if you get through at all. I'll be here every weeknight live from 7pm until midnight."

Berg is an Indianapolis radio/tv veteran, having worked as a TV traffic reporter for WRTV-6. He has spent over a decade working in Indianapolis media.

"The show will be a night-time party on the radio," says Mr. Berg."All request means ALL REQUEST."

(press release over)

OK now it's just us right?

I am SO excited about this opportunity.

Not just because it's a job, but because I think it's an opportunity to have some night time fun on the radio.

No man-bashing, no alien hunting, no relationship advice, just great tunes!

We will also be cranking up the listener interactivity. If you are reading this, I'll be expecting your phone call.

849-1019, learn it, love it. I'll want to hear from you all summer long.

Going to a concert? Call...
Having a barbecue? Call...
Got a request? CALL...

Listener interactivity will be KEY to the shows success. Don't let me down.

We'll scrounge up topics, and re-curring bits to make the nights a lot more fun.

I'll even take your call if you work for other radio stations in town, even YOU Smiley!

Wish me luck!

Mashup Monday!

2009-03-30T09:01:00.003-04:00

Do you know what a 'mash-up' is??

I'm no expert, but they are pretty cool.

Someone with audio editing software takes 2 completely different songs, and mashes them together using the vocals from one song and the music from the second song, creating a completely new song.

These mash-ups can breathe new life into classic music. Some people like them. Some don't. The nay-sayers say that mash-ups are no good because 'you don't mess with classic tunes'.

Just like any music genre, some mash-ups are good. Others, not so much.

Let me offer up one example:

Rapture Riders (click the title to listen)

It's a 'mash-up' of Rapture by Blondie and Riders on The Storm by The Doors.

What do you think?

There's a blog that posts collections of mash-ups every so often.

It's free and I like most of 'em.

The link is: http://www.mashupyourbootz.blogspot.com/
Listen with an open mind and see what you think.

You haven't lived until you've heard "Single Ladies" by Beyonce mashed up with the Andy Griffith theme!!!

Another Reason I Have This Blog....

2009-03-27T09:33:00.002-04:00

I like being able to use this blog to elaborate on video postings I make over on youtube.

For example...

I recently had a boatload of video on VHS digitized so I could post it online.

I'd hate to have something happen to the tapes, so I'm getting them converted before something happens to them. I'm not sure ANYONE will enjoy these besides me. We'll see.

First up.

If you ever went to Stuart Anderson's Cattle Company restaurant, maybe you also remember going to the bar attached to the restaurant with the catchy name:

"The Square Cow Fun Bar"

Neat, huh?

I could write volumes about my experience there, but for now, let's get to the video.

When we cranked up the dance music, it was all about the video. This WAS the late 80's, early 90's after all.

So the company had videos specially made to kick off the dancing:

Nifty! If I recall, the bar shots were from a Black Angus Fun Bar in California.

Up next....

This is a video that no one will be interested in except me. It was shot on the last night that 2 bartenders would be working together.

Guy & Dave.

They were a blast to work with and made slow nights go very fast.

Watch...if you dare:

I'm not in the video very much, but you can hear my voice.

Finally...

OK this isn't an archive video, but hey it's my blog, I can do what I want.

I went to the Children's Museum to look at the new Star Wars relaed exhibit.

Paul Poteet and Tom Davis asked me to meet them there so we could shoot a feature for Good Morning Indiana on RTV-6. There also is video posted on Channel 6's website.

I brought my camera and shot some video, and still pictures that I slapped together into a little montage:

May The Force Be With You....Always!

Don't Faint, It's A New Post!!

2009-03-16T07:03:00.003-04:00

I know it's been a while.

You'd think with all my free time these days, I'd have more time to ramble on here.

Truth is...I am more busy now, dealing with family stuff, than I was when I had a JOB!

But I digress.

In honor of 'Girl Scout Cookie Selling Season'. I give you this little gem from www.penny-arcade.com. (click on it to make it bigger)

And Now A Word From Our Sponsor.

2009-01-21T08:54:00.003-04:00

I want to talk to you for a minute about....radio commercials, although I suppose what I have to say applies to TV as well.

I have a question. Where's the creativity?

Programmers design formats to keep you from changing the station when commercials come on, because they are perceived as a 'tune out' factor.

I have witnessed many times listeners who can't change the station fast enough when commercials come on.

Maybe I'm being naive, but I believe that if the commercials were as entertaining as the music, there would be no channel flipping.

Let me cite a couple of examples. Here are a few commercials I think fit into the 'entertaining' category. As a side game, try and guess what the commercial is about, before the 'reveal'.

Click here for Spot Number 1.

Click here for Spot Number 2.

You really don't need a lot of sound effects or music to make a radio commercial entertaining.

Click here to hear a very funny spot about fireant killer. It's all in the writing and the voice!

Also....

Click here to listen to another voice-only commercial about a trivia game.

Stan Freberg is my guru when it comes to this subject. He started out as a satirist who eventually started his own ad agency who created an infamous commercial about radio, using sound effects to drain Lake Michigan and fill it with hot chocolate.

He also created some entertaining TV ads as well. For example:

He also wrote a book "It Only Hurts When I Laugh" that, among other things, talked about his work in advertising and includes a few script samples as well. The book is out of print, but you can find used copies around if you look hard enough.

OK I'm off the soapbox.

Think about it though....commercials as entertaining as the DJ's.

Radical.

Tony Dungy

2009-01-14T09:42:00.003-04:00

With the retirement of Tony Dungy as Colts head coach this week, I thought I'd share the story of my one encounter with him.

Tony wrote a book called "Quiet Strength", and went on a book tour to support it. One day, he scheduled a few book signings in Indianapolis. My friend who manages one of the bookstores where a signing was scheduled, asked me if I would be interested in interviewing him.

I instantly said yes.

So there I am, in the bookstore where hundreds of people have been waiting in line for hours for the signing to begin, and I am waiting somewhat nervously to do my 5 minute interview.

I had a few questions in mind, but I gotta tell you I was a nervous wreck. I'd heard what a nice guy he was, but this is the head coach of the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts!!!

He came out into the designated press area in the middle of the bookstore, surrounded by everyone that was waiting in line for the book signing. There was applause, and then the Coach came over to me for the interview.

It went well, I had asked about the different type of media he was dealing with for publicity for the book, as opposed to the sports media he usually deals with. We were off and running.

I had absolutely no reason to be nervous, he made me feel completely at ease.

After the interview concluded, I thanked the coach for his time and came to one horrific realization.

I forgot to bring my camera!!! I can't believe it!! A picture with coach Dungy would be a once in a lifetime thing, and I blew it!

Oh well, that was just a small blip on a pretty good afternoon.

He says that he will still maintain connections with Indianapolis, I hope so.

I want another chance at getting that pic!! hehe

And I Thought Working In Radio Was Risky...

2009-01-07T09:08:00.002-04:00

How bizarre is this. Shortly after I got laid off last year I was interviewed by Susan Guyett for her column in the Indianapolis Star, "Talk Of The Town".

A few months later Susan got fired! Apparently there have been a number of firings/lay offs at the Star over the last few months. There are more changes to come!

How do I know this? I stumbled across a blog written by Ruth Holladay, a former Star employee.

If you have some time, you should read it as well. It's very eye opening! Click here to see for yourself.

Preserving my past.

2009-01-05T10:50:00.006-04:00

I have a lot of stuff on paper that I am in the process of digitizing so I can have it around for a while longer.

My picture was taken in February of 1981, as part of an article in my high school paper on the broadcasting business. I was going to a radio/tv magnet school known as CIRT, The Center For Instructional Radio and Television.

The article mentioned my name but didn't quote me. You can click it to make it larger, if you want.:

I have a few other things I would like to scan and save, before something happens to them.

I recently had a pretty cool reference letter scanned. It came from Lucasfilm, after my work as an MC during Celebration 2 here in Indy. It's a PDF file so you'll need Adobe Acrobat to see it, Click here to get it.

One more thing I need to get scanned soon is a Mayoral Proclamation that named it Tom Berg Day in Indianapolis. It came from Bart Peterson, via Paul Poteet on my last day as a traffic reporter on WRTV-6. It was presented to me on camera, and I was flabbergasted. I'll post it here ASAP.

Celebrity Divorces of 2008.

2008-12-28T11:45:00.002-04:00

The end of the year brings lists.

Lots of lists.

"Best of" "Worst of" "Most" "Least", etc.

Click here to see the list of all the celebrity divorces from 2008, compiled by blogger and tv writer Ken Levine.

All I can say is....wow!

Happy New Year!!

Out of Practice

2008-12-21T01:09:00.002-04:00

Yeah I know...it's been a while.

I was just thinking tonight about a TV show that I believe got cancelled way before its time.

It's a sitcom called "Out Of Practice" starring Henry Winkler and Stockard Channing.

I think it was produced by the same people who did "Frasier" so you'd think it would be a success.

I am at a loss to explain why the show didn't make it.

Here's the first part of the pilot episode. It sets the stage:

Do yourself a favor and search youtube for this show. The quality of some of the clips are a little poor. It looks like it was recorded off a broadcast tv signal. It is SO worth it.

I wonder if we could bring it back. I mean if "Scrubs" can come back, then surely THIS show can too.

A couple of holiday musings.

2008-11-30T19:35:00.008-04:00

Can someone tell me why "My Favorite Things" is considered a Christmas song? It's from "Sound of Music" and sung during a summer thunderstorm!!

and...

Does anyone else think it's strange that Woodstock eats a turkey at the end of "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving"?

My Mom's Famous!

2008-11-25T18:18:00.002-04:00

So my Mom was out Christmas shopping, and got interviewed by WTHR Channel 13!

You can see the story here!

I'm so proud!

Best Seats Ever!

2008-11-16T09:59:00.006-04:00

Friday afternoon my friend Tim calls me to tell me that he's scored primo seats to the Pacer game, and asked me if I'd like to come along.

I tell him, 'sure'.

They were the best seats I've ever had for a professional sporting event.

The tickets said 'row 7', but when we got there, there were no rows 1, 2, or 3.

So if you actually counted the rows, we were more like in row 4.

The seats were so good, I was able to get this pic of Pacers head coach, Jim O'Brien:

Not to mention this nifty pic of Boomer:

Even though the Pacers lost the game, Tim and I had a blast. I'll probably never get good seats like this ever again.

I hope if you get the chance to have nice seats like this for ANY sporting event, you take advantage of it. It is SO worth it.

Working with Jeff Pigeon.

2008-11-16T09:35:00.002-04:00

A lot of things happen in radio by being in the right place at the right time.

Well, I got to work with Jeff Pigeon by being able to answer my cell phone at 345 in the morning!

Libby Farr, who is usually Jeff's co-host in the morning, couldn't make it in on Wednesday because she was stuck in early morning construction traffic for over an hour! She called me and asked me if I could make it in.

So I did.

As a result I got to work with "Uncle Pidge".

I had a blast. If you didn't get to hear it, you can listen to a couple of breaks by clicking here.

The Funniest thing that has EVER been on TV!

2008-10-31T09:11:00.003-04:00

I promise that this blog won't turn into a 'my favorite youtube clips' blog. But I found one that brought back many memories for me.

The year Johnny Carson retired from TV, I was working as a Store Entertainment Coordinator at the Cattle Company restaurant in Roseville, Minnesota.

We were big on music videos, and played LOTS of them during the evening.

Before the dancing started, I would try to warm up the crowd with unusual video clips that I would come across.

By far, THIS was the most popular clip that I ever played. I had numerous requests for it.

I give you...The Great FLYDINI!

To Boldly Go...

2008-10-11T08:25:00.002-04:00

OK so I'm usually about all things Star Wars, but this is kinda cool too.

CBS is posting full length episodes of Star Trek on Youtube.

It's to celebrate the shows 42nd anniversary and to promote the new movie.

Click here to see the episodes already posted.

Radio Formats

2008-10-10T09:09:00.002-04:00

One interesting thing about radio is the different formats that are out there. Country, Rock, Oldies, News/talk, Spanish, Sportstalk, Punk Gospel, yadda yadda yadda...

The station I'm working for now, Oldies 101.9, considers an 'oldie' to be from the 60's and 70's.

I applied for a job at a cluster of stations a few weeks ago, the format of the AM station is 'music of your life'. Believe it or not, one of my first radio jobs was working at a station that had that format. I played music from Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Tony Bennett, etc...

The 'music of your life' format nowadays forgoes most of that music and plays stuff from Michael Buble, The Platters, The Carpenters, Pat Boone, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis, and so on....

It's interesting to me that music past a certain date becomes irrelevant, even though it's still great stuff.

I'm a fan of Big Band music, and am sad to not hear a lot of it on the radio anymore. If I ever get on a morning/afternoon drive radio show again, I would love to be able to highlight some of this stuff. Just because it's old, doesn't mean it's not good.

Colts Win!

2008-10-05T18:24:00.002-04:00

What a game the Colts played on Sunday against the Texans.

I had pretty much written the game off in the 4th quarter, while listening to the game on my way to work.

In the time it took to get from my car in the parking lot, up to the second floor of the building, The Colts went from being down 27-10, to winning the freaking game!!!

I don't know what you think, but if the Colts name a player of the game, it would have to be this guy...

Go Blue!!

In the still of the afternoon...

2008-10-01T12:11:00.003-04:00

I know I've been kinda scarce around here. I really haven't had much to write about.

I've pulled my first weekend shift on Oldies 101.9 last weekend, and I have more hours coming up this weekend.

I'm going up to the station today to get my first post-'track' paycheck. Woo Hoo...

We'll be taking staff pics later this week for the website.

If you get a chance, check out my links along the right side of this blog, as well as check out the blogs I am following. You might find something interesting in there for yourself.

The Office is back!

2008-09-22T08:04:00.003-04:00

This is the week that a lot of my favorite TV shows return. There are still a few more weeks before the original CSI returns, but I digress.

One favorite of mine that IS returning this week is "The Office".

I was a Johnny-come-lately to this show as I picked it up in the middle of the second season. I am all caught up now and can't wait until Thursday.

To celebrate it's return, I present to you a youtube clip featuring just about every instance of "That's what she said". An 'Office' running joke.

My first weekend back at work!

2008-09-21T19:30:00.002-04:00

Well...

I'm wrapping up my Sunday DJ shift.

It was kinda like riding a bicycle.

I had to learn a whole new computer system for the music and commercials.

Who says you can't teach old dogs new tricks??

I'll be back filling in for Chris Love, the morning news and traffic guy, on Thursday and Friday of this week.

For the upcoming weekend, I'll be on Saturday from 3-7pm, and Sunday 4-9pm.

If you want, you can email Scott 'records' Roddy at scott@wklu.net and tell him how smart he is for hiring me!

Good News!

2008-09-19T20:20:00.003-04:00

I have a job!!

It's part time, but you gotta start somewhere right??

I'll be working weekends at Oldies 101.9 in Indianapolis.

The hours will vary from week to week, but I am very excited about this!

Wish me luck!!

Click here for my audition tape.

2008-09-14T03:26:00.000-04:00

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Necessity is the mother of invention. Insert your favorite quote that applies here.

While I'm not ready to stand out on I-465 near Allisonville road with a cardboard sign reading "Will DJ for Food" just yet.

I'm putting my audition tape or 'aircheck' as we say in the biz, on this blog.

If I've done everything correctly with the HTML code, you should be able to click on the headline of this blog entry to hear it.

Youtube suggestion.

2008-09-14T02:34:00.002-04:00

I know, I know...

EVERYBODY has suggestions for things you should see while surfing the 'net.

I have a set of links along the right side of this blog, for example.

But if you are a fan of television in any way, shape, or form. You HAVE to check this youtube subscriber out.

It is The Archive of American Television. Their youtube subscriber name is: TVLEGENDS

Here is a sample of what you'll see:

The interviews are un-edited and very in-depth. Some interviews run 2 to 3 hours!

A lot of the subjects are sadly no longer with us. However, thanks to these guys, you'll be able to hear from just about any TV icon you can think of..forever.

These interviews are like potato chips. Once you start, you won't be able to stop.

Oh, by the way, if you ever want to publicly comment about what I blog about here, just click where it says '0 comments' at the bottom of each entry.

My TV commercial debut!

2008-09-09T17:29:00.002-04:00

With my former employer 'making a change' I have had more things to do now, than just a few weeks ago.

Unfortunately, everything I've been doing hasn't really made me a lot of money. You gotta start somewhere, right?

Could this be the start of a new career? Check this out:

Nice robe and slippers eh?

Thanks to Paul Montgomery at WRTV 6 for casting me.

Online Poker

2008-09-06T01:48:00.006-04:00

So I'm up late playing poker in an online tournament with over 200 people.

I finished respectably (you'll have to click on the pic to see it more clearly):

Look out Phil Hellmuth!!

My Army Days.

2008-09-05T15:47:00.006-04:00

I graduated from high school in 1982. I had studied radio/tv, and I was also involved with the ROTC program.

After graduation, I had trouble finding my way. I could get plenty of work as a DJ in a roller-skating rink, or at an under-21 club. But not the radio DJ job that I wanted.

So...I joined the Army.

Why??

Well, they offered me the opportunity to do what I always wanted to do since I was a kid, be a DJ on the radio!!

Sure I'd have to go through Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. After that, I would be home for about a year because the radio/tv training was at Fort Benjamin Harrison.

Let me tell you. Basic Training was hell on Earth!! I didn't have ONE good day there. I'm amazed I made it through.

Well, there WAS one good day. That was the day my family was allowed to come down to the post and visit me. THAT was a good day. My Grandma brought me a box of homemade edible goodies. She asked me if I was going to share them. I told her, NO! hehe

After surviving basic training, I made it to Fort Ben. It was good to be home. After a few months, I was allowed to go home on weekends. What a relief!

The radio/tv training at the Defense Information School was a piece of cake compared to basic training. A year later, I graduated.

I was assigned to go to Fort Ord, California to work in the public affairs office. Since the main job of a broadcaster is overseas, I was sent temporarily to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, for about 6 months.

I was sent there by way of Panama City, Panama, where I had to get my jungle uniforms, and special equipment.

When I arrived in Honduras, I started working for the Navy in a small broadcast studio.

Back then, there was no satellite, so we had to receive our tv programming from Panama on Beta videotape. The TV news and sports were always a week behind, but at least we had it!

I had a night time radio show I inherited from another Army broadcaster who had just left.

This is getting kinda long, so I'll stop here and continue when I feel like it!

Breaking news about Barack Obama!!

2008-09-01T21:04:00.001-04:00

Who knew???

My Early Years

2008-08-31T10:55:00.004-04:00

Once in a while, I think I might use this blog to talk about my life experiences.

My dream is to work in radio, and thankfully over the majority of my life, I've had the opportunity to to just that.

In fact, I would say that I have been a DJ in one form or another most of my life.

My first DJ gig was at a roller rink. I worked at USA south, behind Southern Plaza in Indianapolis.

Next came a job at an under 21 club on Indy's south side. It was part arcade-part dance floor. I remember Henry Lee Summer coming to play one night. It was a bad situation for me as I was a major video game addict. OK so I still am, however...

One game at that under 21 club pretty much sucked all my money down the tubes: Dragon's Lair.

It was the first video game that used a laserdisc and you had to 'control' the hero to make it through.

In reality you 'guessed' what Dirk The Daring would do, and would move the joystick or press the button at the right time.

I loved that game. I think I even asked my boss at the time to pay me in quarters, rather than go through all that nonsense of taking the time to go to the bank and cash a check. All that time took away from my actual playing of the game!!

Next: My Army Years.

Pictures.

2008-08-31T01:38:00.002-04:00

You can't have a blog without something interesting to see or say. The pic to the left combines both my interests: Star Wars & Radio.

It's the cover from a Los Angeles radio station survey from the late 70's. My friend, Paul Poteet, gave it to me.

He has a very entertaining blog as well, I can only hope my blog is half as good as his.

First Post!

2008-08-30T19:15:00.000-04:00

It's amazing what happens when you get a little free time on your hands.

For those who don't know, after 7 years of loyal service with the Mystar/Entercom radio stations in Indianapolis, Indiana. I got fired.

I always wanted to have my own blog...I'm not sure where this is going to lead. The journey starts with a first step though, so here it is.

I will write more as I get inspiration.