My Favorite Song?

Yes, I've heard it a million times. Yes, there are lyrics in other songs with deeper meaning. Never mind all that. "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd means a lot to me. On a personal note, it represented an important time of change in my life. It was 1974. In my early twenties, I decided to go away to college and explore this whole radio thing. It was a time of change and coming of age. Why this 1974 song? To me, it just symbolized a newfound freedom. Unlike much of album rock, it never took itself too seriously. While I think Neil Young is brilliant, I appreciated the good natured criticism of Neil's solemn "Alabama." Of course, I also remember that song blasting out of dorm rooms at school. When I took a trip to Birmingham in 1996, it dawned on me how much of our pop culture often spurns the Deep South. "Sweet Home Alabama" calls out for a little regional respect. By the way, "Watergate does not bother me..." either, since it proved the system can work. There's a youthful optimism that brings back the best of 1970s nostalgia to me. Does that mean I spend lots of time listening to classic rock radio? Not really, even though I know every song. I like to look back nostalgically on 1974 from time to time - not remain permanently in it.

Serenity Now!

"Serenity Now!" is the phrase Frank Costanza uses when he frequently gets stressed out on an episode of "Seinfeld." Of course, shouting it doesn't seem the best way to insure it works. We always hear about how stressful holiday time can be. For a few moments on Christmas Eve day, I certainly wondered if it was worth the craziness. This entire year, it seems that more people have been under more stress than ever, and that instance was my "Give me a break" moment. I always preach - but don't always practice - about not doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results. I also try to differentiate between what I can control and what I can't. You don't have to be in Alcoholics Anonymous to recognize that wisdom. As I see decent people consumed by the need to complicate their lives, I see missed opportunities to enjoy the journey. Making money and having things is fine, but you can't take it with you. Why do we forget that so often? It's all about the lives you touch - and the ones who touch your life. As far as I'm concerned, it's been a remarkable year, but there's work to be done on what counts.

Charlie Gibson Retires

Like the daily newspaper and snail mail, the evening newscasts on the "Big 3" networks aren't the catch-all they used to be, but it's hard to think of our world being without them someday. Even if I don't watch the evening news every night, it is somehow comforting to know there's an authoritative and reassuring figure on the small screen at dinnertime. The so-called news channels - Fox, MSNBC, HLN, and (sadly now) CNN have become more of a haven for talking heads too full of themselves and their ideologies. Now more than ever, America still needs people who proudly carry on a journalistic tradition of objectivity while delivering it so smoothly and still keeping that human touch. Yet Charles Gibson wanted to leave before he had worn out his welcome as he signed off his final ABC newscast tonight. I don't think that was coming close to happening anytime soon, but Diane Sawyer is the logical choice as successor. Maybe we will see him more often at one of his favorite places in eastern Connecticut: the Griswold Inn in Essex - "The Griz," as he and other patrons say. He'll be missed on TV.

Psychology Misplaced

A story out of Taunton, Massachusetts made our phones light up like a Christmas tree yesterday morning. An 8-year-old student was asked to draw something that reminds him of the holidays. Having recently been to the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in nearby Attleboro, it should be no surprise that the youngster had drawn a picture representing Christ on the Cross. Instead, he was sent home from school and ordered to go through a psychological evaluation due to his "violent" stick figure drawing. What an outrageous overreaction!

Perhaps this email from one of our listeners sheds some light on this incident and on the season...

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Dear Glenn & Rebecca,

Sometimes children understand things a lot easier than grownups do: the Taunton second grader really understands why Christmas is the biggest birthday party on the planet! It's because of Easter that God sent His Son, and "O Holy Night explains why:

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining.

It is the Night of our Dear Saviour's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining.

Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices.

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!

And so the HOPE is that there is something beyond this life: eternal life through Him.

Merry Christmas!

Santa Claus Exists

A recent guest on the Soft Rock 106.5 Wakeup Club ruffled some feathers and may have disturbed a few children with his comment denying the existence of Santa Claus. That came as a surprise to me, and to my co-host Rebecca, who replied, "Well, maybe not in your house." We received a few complaints about the live guest's contention, including one from a mother who had her 5-year-old listening with her in the car. The person who made the comment regretted saying it. Sometimes live radio can allow that to happen. So, is there a Santa Claus? I'll base my affirmative response on the famous 1897 editorial reply by New York Sun writer Frances Pharcellus Church (left). When 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon had begun to question the existence of Santa Claus. Church's response included, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus," and gave a convincing philosophical discussion of his existence. Read the editorial here. Case closed.

Holly Jolly Follies

With holiday events happening all over eastern Connecticut and Christmas music on the air, WBMW is once again "Holiday Central." That's not to say that everything is completely down to a science, even with all this holiday experience under our belts. Rebecca and I were reminded of that when we co-hosted the annual Norwich City Hall Lighting program. The music CD that accompanies one of the soloists performing Christmas carols seems to skip on an annual basis, and this year was no exception. This time Chris, the singer, politely walked off stage and to his car to fetch a less defective CD. That left Rebecca and me to "cover" until his return to finish. At the Christmas tree lighting before the Mystic Lighted Boat Parade, we counted down to the lighting only to have the top half of the tree go out. After the chorus of "aw," I asked the crowd in Mystic River Park if there was an electrician in the house. Then came time to describe the lighted boats. They had walkie-talkie communication with the boat launch site so we could announce who was what, but the walkie-talkie was on the wrong channel. It was time to wing it again. This past Thursday back at the studio, a storm wreaked havoc for about twenty minutes with the holiday hits that get played on our music computer while the emergency filler tape played non-Christmas songs. People were calling asking what happened to the holiday music. After a hit like that to our hard drive, we were lucky to be on! In all three cases, the disruptions in holiday festivities proved minor. It will take more than that to mess with our holidays!

A Thanksgiving Story

This was a sad week for a local high school and a community. A photographer for The Day captured this moment of tribute to the memory of Ledyard High School student Matthew Buriak. Matt collapsed playing football a few days ago and was later taken off life support. While the shocking loss of a classmate and friend can be devastating enough to this extended family, I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for Matt's parents to appear at the Ledyard-Fitch Thanksgiving Day game just two days after his death. They even spoke to the media, giving thanks for the time they had been able to have with their son. Matt's family served as pillars of strength to a community who had rallied to comfort them.

We Need a Translator

Red Wolf Broadcasting officially launched "La Bomba 97.5" last week in the Hartford market. The Spanish language Tropical format station is broadcast on two frequencies. The so-called main signal is the 50,000-watt HD-2 digital side of recently purchased Connecticut powerhouse FM 104.1, WMRQ/Waterbury/Hartford. By the way, WMRQ HD-1 is modern rock Radio 104.1. 97.5 W248AB/ Bolton is a 60-watt repeater (also known as a translator) for another signal. I say "so-called main signal" because the lower powered translator at 97.5 gets top billing, not the more powerful HD-2 at 104.1. Since most radios are still not yet on the cutting edge of HD digital technology, the 97.5 signal is more widely available than the programming originating on WMRQ HD-2. Of course, there is also the webcast for those who want to listen but can't pick up the on-air simulcast. The Hispanic market continues to grow, even when the rest of the economy doesn't. Will a Spanish language outlet be a good fit for a company with English adult contemporary, rhythmic contemporary, country and alternative rock stations? I think so. I've been bragging about my years of good grades in Spanish classes, but so far I have yet to be called upon for my contributions as reader - or translator.

Waterfront Property Anyone?

It didn't come as a shock to some, but New London doesn't seem prepared to absorb the hit. Pfizer Inc. announced that it will close its New London research and development facility within two years - the same time frame for the end of a sweet tax deal between the drug maker and the city. Groton stands to benefit, with the transfer of 1400 jobs across the Thames. Consider the bitter eminent domain battle over the adjacent Fort Trumbull neighborhood between a handful of city residents fighting displacement and the New London Development Council. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of NLDC. That did not make city officials look good at all, win or lose. Even if you accept Pfizer's claim that they were not the driving force throwing people out of their homes, it is obvious the city was determined to make the Fort Trumbull area more development - yes, corporate - friendly. Now we have the prospect of a huge, empty corporate complex with few takers and the fresh memory of a neighborhood involuntarily uprooted. True, no one may have forecast this economic downturn and part of this harbor area was cleaned up in the process. The developers and corporate folks have that point, but we seem to be back to square one. Anyone want to rent some nice waterfront property?

Yankees Fans Celebrate

New York City was in fine form for the celebration of the Yankees' latest World Series win. I managed to make it down there yesterday and get within a few blocks of the ceremony where a newly reelected Mayor Bloomberg gave the team the keys to the city. Perhaps it was just as well that my entourage didn't get closer, since the sensation of being packed in the crowd like sardines didn't appeal to me. I've heard so much all my life about the not so appealing side of the Big Apple, but my relatively brief visit was a positive one. One thing that impressed me the most was how helpful and friendly people were. WBMW's number one Yankee fan, Charles Adams, is one guy not afraid to ask for directions, and people really came through. Another thing that stood out was the vastly improved view going through the Bronx and Harlem. When I was a kid, the South Bronx looked just like a bombed out war zone. The improvement was dramatic for someone who passes through New York so rarely. Finally, my first visit to the World Trade Center site was something I've been meaning to do for years. What impressed me most was how life goes on all around this memorial. That determination is probably the best thing people can do to honor the memory of 9/11. I'll try not to let another nine years go by before visiting New York City again.

Flu Vaccine: Yes or No?

We can't say we didn't see this coming. The H1N1 swine flu virus is making inroads as we hear of flu-related school closings and other measures being taken to stop its spread. Health experts are calling it a pandemic. Something with global implications needs to be taken seriously, yet many are dismissing the threat as just another flu going around or an example of government agencies or the media trying to alarm people unnecessarily. Many people, including my morning co-host Rebecca, are concerned that rolling out this H1N1 vaccine so hastily may mean it has not been sufficiently tested. The story on the internet and tabloid shows about the woman who got the vaccine and now can only walk backwards hasn't helped alleviate the fear. A crisis of confidence in public officials may also be fueling this reluctance to get inoculated. As a student of history, I know there are serious ramifications of a pandemic. Millions around the world died in a flu pandemic at the end of World War I. For many, including the very young, old and those around them, there seems to be greater danger in doing nothing than taking a chance on adverse reactions. There is certainly no outcry from the medical community warning that the preventative medicine may be worse than the affliction. I do remember getting a swine flu shot in college in 1976. Swine flu fears turned out to be a false alarm then. I think this outbreak is proving to be more serious. In this instance, an ounce of prevention may be worth a pound of cure.

The Balloon Boy

"What an indictment of the culture we have created - a culture in which even kids come to think that a potentially serious stunt is worth trying to pull off because it might make the talking heads chatter and the TV screens glow."

Editorial page, New York Daily News 10/17/09

That pretty well sums up my reaction to the Balloon Boy drama in Colorado that played out on national news channels this week. Whether the boy said he caused a massive and expensive search "for the show" because his reality show star father wanted to or not, the fact that 6-year-old Falcon Heene would think to say this is somewhat disturbing. The family was on TV's "Wife Swap" a short time ago. The other aspect of the story is how much press it gets at the expense of other news that actually impacts our lives. You expect this kind of focus on the 7:00pm tabloid shows. Meanwhile a story like the threat of the Taliban to nuclear-armed Pakistan gets overlooked. You've got to wonder if what's considered serious news has gotten too concerned about giving us what we want (and ratings for themselves) at the expense of what we need.

Walking the Walks

The Walk with Fred for Parkinson's research at Ocean Beach Park (left) and the Memory Walk to fight Alzheimer's disease at a very rainy Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford (right)

Fall brings a wave of charity walks around the region and the country. With so many causes raising funds over so few weeks in the midst of a recession, it may be surprising that donor fatigue hasn't set in. While my involvement in several of these weekend events has been mostly due to my association with WBMW, I find a personal connection to many of these causes. There was my own diagnosis of type II diabetes last year, so that really brought me firsthand awareness. Mike Forte, a Cheshire resident who has Parkinson's and is chairman of the board of directors of the New Haven Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders, was also my best friend in high school. I didn't get to see him at the New London walk, but I did get a chance to talk to him and hear that old familiar laugh. His kind of attitude always prevails. The Start! Heart Walk, coming up October 18th at Rocky Neck State Park in Niantic, has a special significance as well. My father died of heart disease at about the same age I am now. Rebecca and I will be walking again. We hope you can too.

Women Serving on Subs?

In the 1959 comedy movie "Operation Petticoat", the thought of having women on board a submarine was shocking. It still is with a lot of people here in the Submarine Capital of the World, at least judging by the reaction of some Navy wives here in southeastern Connecticut and some of the callers making their voices heard yesterday morning on WBMW. Now Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus wants to put an end to the prohibition of women serving on subs. One woman just came right out and said on our show that she wouldn't trust her husband. We kept her anonymous. Another caller thought men would be uncomfortable curbing their language in mixed company in tight quarters over a prolonged period of time. Many others seemed surprised that this was still an issue in 2009, maintaining that this was above all a profession protecting the country, and people should just control their libidos. A couple of callers suggested separate subs for men and women, but I don't see that happening. What do you think?

My Ticket

It does seem much more likely that a person will get stopped for speeding heading to work at 5:00am as opposed to, say, 5:00pm. I say that not because I'm always getting speeding tickets. It's more due to the fact that I see a lot of cars getting a very special greeting from local law enforcement at that early hour. Finally, a Ledyard police officer got me at the top of the Route 117 hill near the WBMW transmitter. I wasn't running late or anything like that - just late letting my foot off the gas downhill after accelerating uphill. The officer wasn't too impressed when I said I was headed to the radio station. When I mentioned on the air that getting stopped at that hour was more likely than later in the day, one listener emailed that I wasn't appreciative of the job police do for us. Nothing could be further from the truth, since my brother Gary has been a police officer in Massachusetts for 27 years. He appeared on our show this week to lecture me on going too fast. My good driving record helped me out with my day in court, and all I'll say is that justice prevailed. I've learned my lesson.

Penguins At My Back

One thing I'm always impressed by at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration - other than the variety of marine animals - is the level of professionalism shown by the staff. It is truly a labor of love. Rebecca and I always enjoy sharing what's happening here with our listeners. We were on hand for the penguin races last Friday. The little guys faced off in heats of three, and these African penguins seemed more interested in the crowd than getting quickly to the finish line. One of the penguins waiting to race decided it would be more fun to nip at my back! He stuck his neck out and gave me what felt like the pinch of my life. I let out an audible "ouch" before the penguin's handler got him under control. Earlier that morning, we were just commenting on how soft and docile they were. Despite the surprise, it was "no skin off my back." They did take me to a medical room, but I wasn't even bleeding. For some reason, everybody back at the station thought it was the funniest thing.

Family Guy

If I had young children, Family Guy would be off limits. But I don't, and this animated series about the Griffin family in the mythical town of Quahog, Rhode Island is must see viewing for me. This season's Fox-TV debut last night didn't disappoint. What's not to like about a talking dog and evil baby using a machine that takes them through different dimensions? It's just pure funny. Even though Quahog is fake, there's plenty of true localism, like the Providence skyline in the background, Buddy Cianci Jr. High School and Stop & Shop. I knew Michael Rowe, a budding young Connecticut comedian who ended up as a head writer on the "Brian Swings" episode with Frank Sinatra Jr. How cool is that? That's one of my favorites, but last night's show where they sang in a Disney animated dimension was right up there. The Simpsons, in their twentieth year, are the gold standard in cartoons today, but Seth McFarlane's Family Guy cracks me up like nothing else on the tube.

A Political Will

In a week marked by the 9/11 anniversary and President Obama's healthcare address to Congress, I can't help but see a parallel between the two events. Unlike the terror threat before 9/11/01 - or for that matter the near economic collapse that hit us a year ago - more politicians and the public are engaged in trying to head off a disaster they see ahead. Unfortunately, many people and organizations still refuse to get on board even halfway. Opponents see it as a government takeover, pure and simple. In watching the President's speech, I saw a determination matched with moderation in the interest of getting something done. It was far from a more left wing agenda embraced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. After 9/11, was anyone heckling President Bush when he spoke to Congress and the nation? Does anyone really think the health care status quo is taking us where we need to go? Do we need more of a wakeup call with healthcare? When I hear the criticism, some of it understandable, I don't hear any corresponding plan of action. Lively debate is the American way, but so is finding common ground. Is the political will we found in the war on terror after 9/11/01 here now for fixing healthcare? 50 million uninsured Americans hope so.

Downtown Norwich at 350

Happy 350th Birthday to the Rose City! Norwich remains a thriving community in 2009, but you may not know that passing through - or more likely bypassing - downtown. For all the urban renewal and best intentions, the heart of Norwich has never really gotten its act together. A drive down Main Street reveals many empty storefronts, businesses with very unimpressive facades and very few people. The Viaduct that bypasses downtown treats travelers to a view of the unadorned backs of buildings, like the now closed YMCA, and the long deserted train station. This is a shame, since there is some spectacular architecture downtown dating back decades, notably City Hall itself. There are new and refurbished projects such as the Otis Library, Wauregan building and Mercantile Exchange. Add in the likes of American Wharf and the Spirit of Broadway, and you see the unrealized potential everywhere. You may really have to take a long look, though.

First impressions are important. The parking garages and the old Fleet building are ugly monstrosities that block some of the best views of the city. They need to go. Move the parking to the area around the Norwich Bulletin, which doesn't need that space anymore thanks to downsizing. Lose the old YMCA and open that area up. Move the Catholic Charities out of there, too. If a mass transit center won't replace the train station, make it into a park connected to the harbor. And what's a scrapyard doing next to American Wharf?

Despite all efforts, downtown Norwich has never been in close proximity to big employers. Higher education and medical centers can provide a badly needed infusion of people to patronize businesses and even live there. I can't help but think that downtown would have generated more interest from investors if the city's attractions weren't so hidden. And will someone please occupy the front of the Flatiron Building in a very conspicuous way while tearing down the abandoned Dunkin Donuts across the street? It's a downtown worth revitalizing.

End of an Era?

Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts was a larger than life figure. To some, he was the standard bearer of the liberal ideology who provided our last link with the Camelot era of the Kennedy Presidency. He reminded us in 1980 that "the dream never dies." To others, he represented an uncompromising liberal icon who wanted big government to involve itself in every aspect of our lives. Whether you instantly equate the youngest Kennedy brother with Camelot or Chappaquiddick, there is no ignoring the impact he had on this country for decades. Coming from an Irish Catholic - though slightly less affluent - New England family, I always tried to keep faith in the Kennedy dreams we often saw dashed in the sixties and seventies. I am also reminded about President Clinton's eulogy to Richard Nixon in 1994. Clinton said we need to remember his life "in its totality." The same should apply to Senator Kennedy.

Radio Flashback: The Big D

Back in the swingin' sixties, WDRC-FM - Hartford's Big D - was the only Connecticut FM station playing anything close to rock n' roll. Baby boomers like me grew up mostly on AM Top 40 radio, and FM was the often forgotten band. Still, there was something that stood out about WDRC AM & FM, with high profile personalties, contests that got people talking, the booming voices of the newscasters and the unique promos and jingles. It was a key station where many hits were first made. Few stations have a stronger heritage. It was all the baby of veteran program director Charlie Parker. From all accounts, WDRC staffers were as devoted to him as he was to them. I had the honor of interviewing with him in 1982, but I didn't get the job. After Charlie Parker's passing, I did find my way into WDRC-AM part-time in 1993. The FM program director, Frank Holler, soon asked me to cover some fill-in shifts. I was so excited about getting on the station I grew up with - still playing the music I grew up with - that I couldn't sleep at all the night before my first show. Six of my eight years there were on the evening shift, with three years as music director. From oldies concerts to my morning news experience, I felt my radio career could have been complete when it ended with my layoff in 2002. My expected exit from radio turned out to be premature, as new experiences followed with my involvement at WBMW. An excellent source of information on the legendary WDRC can be found here. WDRC has been around in some form since 1922, but Monday, August 17th marks WDRC's 49th anniversary playing rock n' roll as the Big D.

Lobstah!

Eastern Connecticut has no shortage of great seafood places, but when in Maine you've got to have the local lobster. My WBMW co-host Rebecca has been up that way this past week, and there's one place I recommended she take the family while there. It's just across the river from Portsmouth, New Hampshire in Kittery. Warren's Lobster House was one of the highlights of my 2,000-mile round trip to Nova Scotia. Of course I had lobster - not just lobster roll, but a lobster torpedo! That wasn't the only indulgence. The salad bar was as good as the sign says. Seafood restaurants reflect a fun atmosphere like few other types of eateries can, and Warren's definitely lived up to expectations. As good as the desserts looked, there was no room left for that! Check out their website.

The New Yankee Stadium

Being originally from the New Haven area, I go against the majority sentiment here in eastern Connecticut by siding with the Yankees over the Red Sox. The rivalry really heated up this weekend with a four-game series at the new Yankee Stadium. Taking the place of the old stadium was a tough act to follow, but I was very impressed with my first visit there. I took the Yankee express train with Red Wolf Broadcasting's number one Yankee fan, Charles Adams from our street team. I was hoping more for a slugfest than a pitching duel Friday, but that was not to be. It's a good thing I didn't have to get up at my usual 4:10 the next morning, since that 15 innings leading up to A-Rod's belting one right into the Red Sox bullpen meant a 4:30am arrival back home in Colchester. At $9 for a beer, bring plenty of money!

Impressions of Atlantic Canada

After a week driving through Canada's Maritime Provinces, I came away with a few observations:

New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia may be Canada's smallest provinces, but it's no short hop to reach the eastern end of them. Plan on a 2,000-mile round trip.

There may still be some separatist sentiment in neighboring Quebec, but strong Canadian patriotism is obvious in the Maritime Provinces. Maple leaf flags are everywhere.

Tim Hortons shops are everywhere, too. Dunkin Donuts? Not so much.

In Halifax, a big city of 400,000, there are no longer any stations on the AM dial. To someone who grew up with AM radio, that was strange.

If you think Maine has "lobstermania", it's even more prevalent in Atlantic Canada.

While Canada never developed a nationwide limited access superhighway system dating back to the fifties like our interstates, they seem to be making up for it with massive highway construction throughout the Maritimes.

Even with big box retail sprawl, city centers seem to be filled with stores. Can Connecticut claim that?

Gas is still about a buck a gallon more there than here. That's still a bargain compared to a year ago when I went to Montreal and Ottawa.

For scenic vistas, historic destinations, all kinds of food and friendly people, this part of Canada was well worth the drive. I only wish I had the time to go to take the ferry to Newfoundland.

"Uncle Walter" Dies at 92

TV news has changed so much since Walter Cronkite retired from anchoring the CBS Evening News in 1981, but we often forget how much this one man singlehandedly made the news a much different product than when he started. During his time as "America's most trusted man," "Uncle Walter" took us through some of the most turbulent times in American history. When Cronkite labeled the Vietnam War a "stalemate," President Johnson knew he had lost Middle America's support. From the Kennedy assassination to the moon landing to Watergate, America counted on this one man like no other before or since. It was an informative chat with half of Baby Boomer America.

Gotta Get That Boom Boom Pow

My first exposure to fireworks was as a startled little kid who was introduced to pyrotechnics way too close up for the first time at the St. Augustine's Church Bazaar in North Branford, CT. Long after that fair ceased to be an annual event, I can definitely say my appreciation of an elaborate fireworks display is greater than ever. This past year, I and a few tens of thousands of other people witnessed another impressive show as part of this past Sailfest weekend along the New London / Groton Waterfront. There may be better displays somewhere, but I can't think of any. It was the highlight of a weekend celebration that drew 300,000 people. Norwich had its fireworks the week before. While it may not be fair to compare the Norwich event to the Sailfest show, the Rose City did itself proud, especially in the face of municipal budget cuts. Rebecca and I were very glad to have helped keep the Norwich fireworks going by raising funds one morning on the WBMW Wakeup Club. It's great to see communities pull themselves away from their TVs and computers, get outside and share an outdoor experience - even if only for an hour or two.

Radio Flashback: Opening the Door to a Career

It is hard to believe - 35 years almost to the day since I first went on the radio! "Where did you start" is a common question for broadcasters, so here goes. The week leading up to July 4, 1974 was when I first got on the air. It was at WKBK/Keene, New Hampshire (AM 1220 then, 1290 now), doing "Mobile Lifesaver Reports" from a two-way radio in a big red station wagon with WKBK emblazoned all over it. We did traffic reports - basically two or three intersections were the only busy spots - and holiday safety tips with local sponsors I remember to this day. I was terrified, not being the most extroverted person to begin with, but found it pretty cool to get so many people driving by honking their horns at me. My week there ended doing a busy Sunday signoff shift, when I probably made more mistakes in 4-1/2 hours than I have since! After that week, I concluded that radio wasn't as easy as some broadcasters make it sound on the air. That fall, when I got on the Keene State College radio station, WKNH, I felt like I had the advantage over most of the other staffers who had no commercial radio experience. Little did I know that I had opened the door to a profession that takes more than a week to smooth over the rough edges.

Close Call

July kicked off the way June ended, with endless rain and thunderstorms. This week, however, we came a little too close for comfort to a more potent force of nature: a tornado. I had the TV on late in the afternoon when on came a tornado warning saying it may be headed for Colchester near the Lebanon line at 5:15. It was 5:15, and that's right where I live. The skies were very dark and the trees were blowing, but no tornado arrived. That didn't disappoint me, but it got me thinking where I could get out of its path if it struck. There's no basement in my house, so I guess the only possible refuge in a pinch would be in the shower stall with something like a mattress over me. Perhaps now would be the time to come up with a Plan B. When a tornado is on top of you, the options are limited.

Michael Jackson and Radio

This blog has had way too many opportunities to eulogize people lately. I will leave the job of summing up Michael Jackson's successes and scandals to everyone else. Let's look at the King of Pop's relationship with radio. From fronting the Jackson Five on Ed Sullivan to his "Thriller" videos on MTV, television showcased his dance moves. But it was his music on Top 40 radio - AM and then FM - that brought his music into our everyday lives for decades. Then the focus shifted from his talent and positive achievements to endless negative publicity. Whether the accusations and weird stories were true or not, the damage had been done. Radio abandoned Michael Jackson to the point where the only time you could hear his music was when "Thriller" came on for Halloween. He just wasn't the right image for many listeners, so programmers gradually took note the way they shut out Chris Brown after that rising star's assault allegations. However, Michael's story was more complicated. Here was a guy who has been called the greatest pop star of all time. Long after Michael Jackson was silenced on the radio, he would not go quietly into the night. He was planning a major tour making a million bucks per stop when he died at 50. Now broadcasters face a dilemma. How do we deal with a very public tragedy after years of absence from station playlists? People are talking about where they were when they got the tragic news, so how can you ignore this man and his music? Sure, his detractors will wonder why we pay any tribute to him now and his fans will criticize the fact that we waited until he died to play all his million selling hits again. He left an indelible mark on culture around the world, so give the man his due in his memory, even at a time when the bad publicity seemed to be outweighing his undeniable contributions.

Remembering Michael Bernz

Michael Bernz Cipriani was one of the most familiar names and voices in eastern Connecticut. He passed away unexpectedly Thursday morning, June 18, 2009. At Red Wolf Broadcasting, we extend our condolences to the Cipriani family. Michael started his long radio career at WSUB/Groton in the seventies. His broadcasting resume included WDRC in Hartford and most recently WWLI Lite Rock 105 in Providence, but "Bernzee" really made his mark gracing the morning airwaves for decades in New London County at WICH and WCTY in Norwich. In the late nineties, Michael was hired by John Fuller at Red Wolf Broadcasting to host the morning show here at Soft Rock 106.5 WBMW. His warm and friendly voice, loyal following, sense of humor, familiarity with everything local and a sincere caring for this community made him a hit with listeners for over six years. There is no doubt that Michael Bernz played a key role in the evolution and success of WBMW. I remember him most importantly as a kind and gentle man who always had an encouraging word. When I was hired for the Soft Rock 106.5 morning show in July 2006, I knew these were big shoes to fill. When you work in radio, it is hard not to be defined by your line of work. That was the case with Michael Bernz, but he also played a major role in defining radio in eastern Connecticut and southern Rhode Island. He was one of the most sincere people you could ever meet. He meant it when he signed off his show saying, "I care about you."

Politcally Incorrect?

On these two issues, I find myself more conflicted than usual. First: the joke that David Letterman told about Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's daughter getting "knocked up." Palin says the late night comedian owes all women an apology. I'm not sure about that, but he certainly could apologize to the Palin family. Was it really necessary to bring a politician's children into the fray, whether they are 18 or 14? Women's rights groups find themselves on a different side of the fence on this issue. Many liberal Democrats will say she should lighten up. I wonder if they would feel the same way if a liberal politician's family had been the butt of this joke. Conservatives are always criticizing "politcial correctness," but have made this issue a call to arms. The liberal Huffington Post says Jay Leno told a similar joke, but where's the outrage there? Bottom line: Letterman should attempt to smooth things over. If Palin will then have none of that, then that would be unfortunate. UPDATE 6/17: Letterman issued what could be considered a more sincere apology on his show, and Sarah Palin apparently accepted it.

Issue #2: Miss California, Carrie Prejean, was "fired" by Donald Trump after previously getting his support. Now the charges are flying back and forth. While I don't subscribe to Prejean's opinion against gay marriage, I don't see anything wrong with her right to say what she honestly thought. That's what we do in America. I also have a hard time believing that her opinion on this topic didn't have a lot to do with Trump's flip-flopping on Prejean retaining her title. How much politics do we need to inject into a beauty pageant?

DTV is here!

We can't say we weren't warned. The switches were flipped at stations across the country today as analog TV went away and digital broadcasts became the rule. My old 5-inch SONY Watchman is now useless as a TV, with no inputs for cable or a digital converter box. I suppose this is a quantum leap forward, but I can't help but feel some disappointment. Yes, there are potentially more channels with digital, but something is missing on the one other TV at my house not connected to cable: half the local channels! I thought I had the set on the closed-in back porch ready for DTV, but not so fast. After connecting a new $69 antenna, installing the DTV converter and scanning for over-the-air digital channels, the old 13-inch TV was not picking up a trace of the new DTV versions of Connecticut channels 3, 8, 20, 30 and 59. Forget about Providence channels. Channel 26 in New London was blasting through with three subchannels, as was 69 in Rhode Island with the same programming as 26, and Connecticut Public Television on 24 and 53. One bit of good news: Fox 61 WTIC-TV came in. At least I've still got my Simpsons and Family Guy. It's also my only option left for local news on the porch!

In Concert: The Dave Matthews Band

Soft Rock 106.5 WBMW has given away its share of Dave Matthews Band tickets lately, and our newly acquired Hartford FM Radio 104.1 WMRQ plays a lot of what now can be classified as a supergroup. The band has been around for years, but the onslaught of publicity connected with the release of their new album made me even more anxious to find out what the fuss was all about. My morning co-host Rebecca is a big Dave Matthews fan, and even got to interview him. So it was off to the Comcast Center in Hartford last night. What really struck me was the age of the crowd - a sea of fresh faces enthralled with a band whose members were probably twice their median age. I may have been the only guy there to remember Woodstock, but I didn't mind. The music was as good as any performance I've ever witnessed. Their unique genre and instrumentation defy labels and blur generational lines. Their rendition of the Bob Dylan composition and Jimi Hendrix hit "All Along the Watchtower" struck a chord and sealed the deal with this baby boomer. A beautiful night in an open air venue made it even better. Crowd control getting people in and out of the Comcast Center was an issue, not because this crowd was any worse than any other, but from the way they funnel lots of people through very small spaces. That aside, the experience left me assured that quality music hasn't gone away.

State of the State

As we make our way through these tough economic times, we all wonder when the end of the downturn is coming. For some, even later this year can't be soon enough. On the state level, Connecticut is in better shape than some. That was the message we got from Governor M. Jodi Rell this past week when she was a guest on the Soft Rock 106.5 Wakeup Club. Of course, being in better fiscal shape than California, where Governor Schwarzenegger says they're out of money, may not be saying much. People are hurting, and unemployment is more than a statistic. A few days ago when I was in a store in Griswold, a young local man just back from a tour of duty in Afghanistan was going door to door looking for work - any work - with no success. He was thinking of reenlisting. While there is nothing wrong with that, it is a shame that one of the nation's richest states can't give a veteran a few more options after their service. There are too many stories like this.

Wakeup Club Callers

We know that many regular listeners never think to call a radio station, even their favorite. Whether or not your participation goes beyond putting us on in the morning, we appreciate the time you choose to spend with us. That said, Rebecca and I really want to send out a special acknowledgement to regular callers on the Soft Rock 106.5 Wakeup Club like Mike Smith (center) from Westerly. Mike takes time out of his busy day as circulation manager for the Westerly Sun to pick up the phone and chime in on some show topic or to ace yet another Breakfast Brainbuster question. The list of regulars continues to grow, and it makes our day to have that kind of loyalty.

Radio FAQs: The Most Asked Question

"Do you pick your own music?" As soon as someone finds out you work in radio, that is by far the most asked question. I suppose that can't be helped, since the term "disc jockey" has been used to describe radio people for decades. That may have been true at one time, but those days are gone. For one thing, we almost never jockey discs. Secondly, the music selection process has gotten a lot more sophisticated. It is essential to a station's survival to decide on a target audience and to focus like a laser beam on catering to it. As a former program and music director, I can appreciate the work that goes into this music scheduling process. I am not nostalgic for the old days of scrambling for a 45 to cue up with seconds left on the one playing. Music is too important to be a snap decision by air people busy with other show elements. How do they decide what gets played? While some stations occasionally insert requests, there is often a fair degree of market research involved before a song makes the air. That means we actually do give listeners a chance to tell us what they want to hear! Going out and finding these potential listeners is more of a reflection of what works than just waiting for random people to call us. Then it is programmed through music software like the one pictured above from MusicMaster or Selector. For radio vets, this post will elicit a "well, duh" response, but to casual listeners it is probably earthshattering!

Hard to Digest

As a huge fan of actress Jamie Lee Curtis, I generally don't think we see enough of her. That may have changed lately. It's sort of funny to see her on TV pitching yogurt that helps balance your digestive system. Sure, digestive health is important and a buck is a buck, but the Activia ad campaign reminds me of another comedown. One of the greatest singers in history, George Clooney's aunt Rosemary, may be best remembered by a whole generation for her Coronet toilet paper commercial: "Extra value is what you get, when you buy Coronet!" Apparently the folks at Saturday Night Live saw the humor in linking Ms Curtis with digestive health products too. I can't help but think they could have gone with another actor. It probably won't be Wilford Brimley; he's booked.

It Does Matter

When I traveled to Canada last summer, the Montreal and Ottawa talk radio stations' topic number one was America's treatment of prisoners in the War on Terror. CBC-TV covered it thoroughly, too. The U.S. administration was not scoring many points in the discussion. Here's a friendly next door neighbor that shares our involvement in the Afghan war, yet our reputation as a champion of human rights seemed to be on the line. If that's the case there, what could our standing be in nations closer to the Muslim world? President Obama's efforts to close Guantanamo Bay prison, and bring these captured combatants into the U.S. for justice, have been called by critics an attempt to appease a few foreign governments. Colin Powell, Secretary of State under President Bush, sees it as more than that. He's right. After the Abu Ghraib prison disaster, the U.S. needs to show the world we practice what we preach. Defend waterboarding and Gitmo if you like, but these perceptions about American justice run deep. Perceptions do matter. There are plenty of experts who believe we can fight the War on Terror without resorting to torture and bending the rules about detaining enemy combatants. We're better than that.

Surprise Finish?

American Idol and Dancing with the Stars came to their respective season conclusions last week. The Dancing ending (a gymnast won) may not have been too shocking, but many considered the Idol win by Kris an upset. Our WBMW American Idol expert Alycia Mraz correctly predicted that the judges' fawning over Adam would work against him much the same way they did last season with David Archuletta. I agreed with the judges this time. Adam was clearly the best singer. Did he improve as the weeks went by? No, because he was star power from the start. Rebecca's and America's favorite - Kris - did get better with time and was as likeable as any American Idol winner. Alycia's pick - Danny - was also an early favorite, perhaps more of an everyman presence and personality, and his elimination clearly contributed to Kris' vote count. There were viewers who were not comfortable with Adam. Style is important in more than just singing. Consider Adam's blue state appeal and Kris' red state fan base. Compare it all to putting Mick Jagger up against Paul McCartney. It's interesting to analyze, but it's over and I can live with America's decision. They'll all be fine.

New Haven Revisited

For the first 30 years of my life, New Haven was the center of the universe - the "big city" just seven miles from where I grew up in North Branford. Even though it's only 45 miles away now, it has been about as relevant to me as Fairbanks, Alaska. Today, I actually had reason to make a trip to City Hall on the Green in the Elm City because I needed to quickly get a copy of my birth certificate. Two things left an impression on me. One was the newly widened I-95 from Branford to the longtime traffic nightmare known as the Q-Bridge. It really made the trip in a lot smoother than I recall. Now if they can only widen 95 from there to New London. The other thing that surprised me was the huge vacant lot that used to be a retail center as Macy's and Malley's downtown. The Chapel Square Mall seemed like a shadow of its former self, but the Green and Yale are still impressive. It didn't just seem like half a lifetime ago - it was! On the other hand, it reminded me how much Eastern Connecticut has become home.

My "Other" Job

Gee, with all my WBMW air time, when do I get time for another job? It goes back a ways. During one of my respites from full-time radio employment, I took an advertising sales job in 1988 in the Norwich office of Shore Line Newspapers, a group of weekly local publications which were part of ABC/Capital Cities. While I enjoyed the job, it immediately became clear to me that the sales manager, Allan Arico, was more adept at his craft than the people above him. He correctly foresaw the consequences of corporate missteps, left and started his own ad agency. I jumped ship a year later for Hartford radio while helping Allan start a leaner and meaner monthly direct mail shopping publication - The Extra - treating Jewett City/Griswold as more of its center as opposed to Norwich. I caught up with Allan again in 2002 and The Extra was still around, even though it needed a little attention. WDRC had just laid me off, so I had time to build it up. We even added editions of The Advertiser in Montville and East Lyme. It has made me a big believer in direct mail advertising. While many print media have taken horrendous hits, the "little shopper paper that could" continues its success. Allan appreciates loyalty, so I continue to be its main account executive. As far as radio vs. print is concerned, I see this and WBMW as more complementary than directly competitive. They have coexisted for me for six years now. In fact, I get to know many of our communities and businesses a lot better because of the combination of the two. My loyalties aren't divided - they are doubled.

Red Wolf Broadcasting Now Owns FM 104.1

Our Ledyard-based company - Red Wolf Broadcasting - closed on the purchase of Hartford 50,000 watt powerhouse FM 104.1 this past Wednesday. Call letters were promptly switched back to what they were a few years earlier: WMRQ, aka "modern rock alternative" Radio 104.1. Radio geeks may notice some modifications, but most listeners will just think of it as a renewed commitment to the format it has had for the past year or two, through the second half of the 90s and first half of this decade. Of course, this quickly unfolding story has not been that simple for the small number of key people who made it happen. John Fuller bought it; Brian Ram rebuilt it from scratch. My part consisted of being wined and dined to have my brain tapped for my Hartford radio knowledge and a brief guest spot on 104.1 this week being introduced by John Fuller as a "Hartford radio icon." My knowledge of modern rock doesn't go too far past Green Day, R.E.M., Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers and some old school New Wave, but I'm sure it will expand the way my knowledge of hip hop did with sister station Jammin' 107-7 being next door. My WBMW co-host Rebecca knows more about 104.1's music, and she is on the midday air shift there covering for now. The evolution of WMRQ - the new 800-pound gorilla in the room (two doors down, anyway) here at Red Wolf Broadcasting - will continue. Stay tuned.

Terms That Make Many Men Uncomfortable

In the hit comedy movie "I Love You, Man", the main character played by Paul Rudd is getting married and is facing the dilemma of not having a best man. He has no male friends. I can't relate. I have never gotten as far as marriage, for one thing. Don't even try to analyze that one. On the other hand, I have been blessed by more than a few good and even close friends, both male and female. And guess what - we even talk about things. Like most guys, I've always hogged the remote and refused to ask for directions, but apparently I'm a rare breed. Is this the part where I profess my heterosexuality? That seems to be the case when a lot of straight males get anywhere near the subject of close male friends. It does make a lot of men uncomfortable. Calling it "bromance" doesn't help. I'm squirming a bit right now. The mere acknowledgement that another guy might be good looking can also prompt that reaction. While mentioning that Hugh Jackman's looks had a lot to do with the success of his movie "Wolverine," a TV movie reviewer had to preface it by saying, "Speaking as a heterosexual male..." The new term "man crush" is supposed to mean straight men wanting to hang out with another guy who seems pretty cool. That's all it means, but I could see how that could be misconstrued. To quote Seinfeld: "Not that there's anything wrong with that!"

Governor Rell Addresses the Swine Flu Scare

This week marked the first time Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell was a guest on the Soft Rock 106.5 WBMW Wakeup Club. You realize the priority level given to the new potential pandemic known as swine flu when it takes precedence over putting together a state budget. The budget battle itself involves some very painful measures during this lingering recession - and that would have been Topic One during our interview - but this public health crisis quickly grabbed the headlines. Governor Rell gave us an update on the state's part in preparing for and dealing with any swine flu outbreak in Connecticut. While the number of cases so far may not suggest a major outbreak yet, it is clear that the World Health Organization, federal government and Rell administration are taking this very seriously. I remember getting a swine flu vaccination during a similar potential outbreak in 1976. The epidemic or pandemic didn't materialize. Unlike 1976, we don't expect to have a vaccine for this variation of swine flu until the fall. Let's hope this scare turns out to be a false alarm, too.