Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Video Brings Back the Radio Star

Ted Williams on WNCI Columbus, OH
The video of homeless and unemployed radio announcer Ted Williams panhandling by the road in Columbus, Ohio caught the attention of millions when the video went viral.  He was holding a sign saying he had a "golden voice" and a passing newspaper reporter happened to record him.   Williams said he had a drug problem, but had been clean for two years.   After quickly getting over 5,000,000 hits on YouTube and national news coverage, the offers started flooding in from across the country to do radio shows and voiceover work.   Could this man become a millionaire?   I have to agree with everyone else who has heard his voice - this guy is major market material.   Howard Stern claimed that the story could be a hoax, wondering how this man with the golden voice could have become so destitute.   Howard has seldom been called an elitist, but I have to wonder if the "King of All Media" realizes how tough times are for so many talented broadcasters who now have little or no work in a profession they love.   A few bad breaks or wrong moves can seriously disrupt a career.   Radio jobs are not as numerous these days, and the average wage has never been the road to riches.   Beyond broadcasting, this story of redemption has caught the attention of many Americans.   I have been fortunate to have made much of my living at something I have loved for over 35 years without resorting to panhandling, but who are we to think we could never be that down on our luck?      I am excited to have a new radio home on 102.3 The Wolf (WMOS).   I'll be on Citadel New London's rock station live from the Mohegan Sun studios Saturdays 2-6pm and Sundays 10am-3pm and a few fill-in shifts too.   Give a wave when you go by.       

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