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.

Walking for Babies

WBMW's involvement with the March of Dimes and the cause of healthy babies took a two-pronged approach this spring. First, there was the very successful Diaper Derby at Mystic Aquarium. Then last weekend, Bluff Point State Park in Groton was the place for the March for Babies. It was a well attended, brisk 3-mile walk through an amazing natural preserve in the shadow of an urban area. It was a bumpy trip for folks like my co-emcee Rebecca wheeling baby carriages, but her 9-month-old Liliana enjoyed it just fine. My mistake was not bringing anything to eat along the way, and my blood sugar plummeted, but we all made it. As close as this state park may be, it was my first walk through Bluff Point. I hope it's not my last. Thanks to everyone who participated in the March of Dimes March for Babies.

Mmm... Steak

No one can ever call me a fussy eater. My taste in food is like my taste in music. There aren't too many things I've turned down. One thing I have not had in ages is steak. It's not because I'm a vegetarian or anything like that. Whenever I go someplace new, I often go for something pretty basic: a hamburger in a less fancy place, steak in someplace a bit nicer. Red meat is the standard for my first impression of a restaurant. Well, my long period of steak deprivation came to a spectacular end with a visit to the Capital Grille in Providence and a date with a sirloin. That, and the most incredible cheesecake, made for a meal far from routine. I hadn't been to the Steak Loft in Mystic in ages, so a few folks from the station decided to get together there and see our morning fill-in co-host Phred singing. Miss L from Jammin 107-7 always gets the steak teriyaki, so I went with that recommendation and was very impressed. A great steak has made for some of my best memories dining out. Maybe because it's a rare occasion - medium rare.

Radio Flashback: My Brief Disco Heyday

It was June 1979. The Ayatollah had just taken over in Iran, the long gas lines were back and my still young radio career had taken me to Springfield, Massachusetts and WMAS 94.7 FM. This was at the height of the disco craze. A new station owner was determined to transform a perennial also-ran into a serious ratings contender. They figured if an all disco station could have killer numbers in New York, why not Greater Springfield? It sounded like fun, so I took the midday slot. Even with the star power of Donna Summer, the Bee Gees and the Village People - who were aired hourly - Springfield was not supporting a 24/7 disco format. The superstars had their share of duds that never crossed into the pop mainstream, so many of the B or C list artists were just plain forgettable. Some of the cuts were over ten minutes. I'd leave the show with a splitting disco headache! When they wanted to move my shift to nights I should have felt flattered, since that was the only time slot with ratings, but a month was enough of that relentless thump, thump, thump. Two songs I did like were Patrick Hernandez's "Born to be Alive" and McFadden & Whitehead's "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now." Within a year, WMAS-FM wisely jettisoned disco, increased their power and went with a more "mass" appeal format that continues its remarkable success to this day. I did return to WMAS to do fill-ins in 1988. The brief disco era is recreated each Saturday night on WMAS, hosted by a truly nice guy named Brett Provo. He plays the hits and leaves out the filler. One moral of the story: what works in one place may bomb in another. No, I did not wear polyester there. And yes, it's disco week on American Idol. Yay!

I'm All Atwitter!

First it was MySpace, the premier site for online social networking. Then that seemed so yesterday with the rise of Facebook. Now we're being told to "Twitter." Keep up with what everyone's doing in real time in "tweets" of up to 140 characters. Ashton Kutcher challenged and beat CNN in getting a million tweets. Oprah is now on Twitter with 34,000 tweets in her first few hours. You can now follow WBMW on Twitter as well at the bottom of the page on http://www.wbmw.com/. As much as I like to keep up with the latest techno-trends, I really don't know if this Twitter hype is justified. You can already text me, email me, call me on one of four phone numbers and even Facebook me. (Is "Facebook" a verb yet?) How much do I need to learn about the hour by hour activities of everyone I know? Maybe I'm missing the significance of the Twitter Revolution, but I'm already feeling pretty well in touch. Yes, I am also on Twitter, but I keep losing my password!

A Passion for Local Radio

Sag Harbor, on Long Island's East End, can hardly be called the media capital of the world, but WLNG General Manager Emeritus Paul Sidney was definitely one of the giants in the radio business. Sidney, a longtime champion of local radio, passed away on April 1st at age 69. He arrived at WLNG AM 1600 as program director shortly after its inception in 1963. WLNG FM 92.1 came along later, but the FM always maintained that 1963 AM radio sound even after the AM side signed off for good, keeping the FM stereo off and the reverb on, with pumped up audio processing unduplicated on today's radio dial. And those jingles - one for everything! They made their own rules and stuck by them to create a consistency and heritage seldom observed in this changeable business.

Back in 1982, I had the pleasure of visiting WLNG with a radio friend who used to work for Paul. There he was, at the station on a Sunday, with WLNG cranked up in his office. He told longtime air personality Rusty Potz to "put on the Connecticut jingle - we've got somebody here from Connecticut!" - and he turned it up even louder. He was so proud of what WLNG stood for. You never know where you're going to find great people in radio. Paul Sidney's loyal crew at WLNG continues to share fun with legions of listeners, providing a reliable source for local information, serving the community in countless ways, knowing everyone, getting results for advertisers and even making money along the way. WLNG's secret to success? To use Paul's operative word: "Consistency." What's wrong with that?

Crawling to Victory

Dozens of babies were entered into the Soft Rock 106.5 Diaper Derby Saturday, April 4, 2009 at the Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration. A much smaller number made it to the finish line. That is understandable, considering the biggest distraction for these crawling cuties may have been the enthusiastic crowd cheering them on, including yours truly as the flag-waving referee. We think the real winner was the March of Dimes, as we help raise awareness of the cause of babies being born healthy. Thanks to Becky and the staff at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, key sponsor The Savings Institute, Dan from the March of Dimes and all the families who turned out to make this event such a success. Several WBMW and Jammin 107-7 staffers (Chuck, Brian and Miss L) really deserve credit for making it work so well this first time out, especially my co-host Rebecca from the Wakeup Club. Rebecca was the emcee and planner for this Diaper Derby, and her real life role as a new mom definitely helped her for this job. She was awesome! Her husband Bryan brought their now famous 8-month-old Liliana (pictured) to the Diaper Derby as an observer - she's not quite crawling yet. This event was a win-win!

Senator Lieberman on the Wakeup Club

We haven't heard too much on the talk show circuit lately from Connecticut's junior U.S. Senator, which is one reason why a call from Joe Lieberman to the Wakeup Club this past Thursday was most welcome. We did get an update on what he has been working on in Washington. Senator Lieberman discussed his involvement in addressing the growing violence among Mexico's drug cartels and how this impacts much of the U.S. We also got an assessment of the situation in Iraq. His stand on this issue put him at odds with a majority of Connecticut public opinion, but his poll numbers seem to be rebounding a bit lately. Although he supprted John McCain in 2008, he seems to be adopting a wait and see or even supportive attitude toward the Obama administration's economic stimulus package. And yes, he's been swamped by people outraged over the AIG bailout and bonuses. That issue seems to be affecting Connecticut's senior Senator Chris Dodd's poll numbers much more adversely, thanks to Dodd's committee oversight responsibilities. Whether or not you agree with Senator Lieberman, you have to admit he's managed to avoid the scandals and accusations of impropriety that have dogged many a politician. He's also a pretty entertaining and engaging guest, and long overdue for a visit to the Wakeup Club.

Joe O'Brien - A Nice Guy

My father - on the left, shown here in 1947 with his brother Jack - was happy to lead a simple life. He was a second generation Irish American who grew up in the Fair Haven section of New Haven, served in the Navy during World War II, married in 1949 and moved the family to suburban North Branford in 1957. He worked contentedly at U.S. Motors in Milford for 21 years until the recession of 1969 hit. Job security was never quite the same after that. He had health issues too, but my father was never one to complain. Joe O'Brien coped with life's travails through an incredibly corny sense of humor, chatting with the neighbors, puttering around the house and tinkering with the family car. His "come what may" attitude sometimes drove my mother crazy - she was more the worrier. He never acted disappointed in me or my brother, and I often wondered what his expectations really were. It was only after he died March 27, 1978 - a few days short of his 57th birthday - that I learned how much he would brag to people about "his sons." He was the definition of unconditional love. He left us much too soon, but if he had regrets about his life they would be news to us.

Glenn O'Brien - The Style Guy

Google my name and you'll get at least three pages devoted exclusively to another Glenn O'Brien - the style writer for GQ Magazine. He also had a TV show in New York City back in the seventies which could be considered a cult classic. And yes, he has a Style Guy Blog. I first became aware of this other GO'B ten years ago when somebody I worked with at WDRC in Hartford left me a picture of "The Style Guy." It doesn't bother me one bit to think there's another Glenn O'Brien on the planet who has more fame and probably fortune, but apparently it did irk the Style Guy to find my humble corner of the blogosphere. He actually commented about me having the nerve to have his name, even implying that I was imitating him. Well, Glenn O'Brien is my real name, and it goes way back - as the Style Guy's name does - to the fifties. I also gathered he would not want to trade places with me at WBMW. I may not be jetting off to Paris, but this Connecticut "Radio Guy" is just fine as Glenn the Soft Rock local DJ. It's a riot that the other Glenn even noticed!

Wakeup Club Cast of Characters: John Devine

One morning last summer while Rebecca was on baby leave, I wondered out loud on the show whether anyone listening would like to try out as a guest co-host. I got one serious response: from John Devine, the sales manager at Valenti Volkswagen of Mystic. John proved to be a fortunate find for the Wakeup Club. You are instantly impressed at what a lover of life this guy really is. His jokes are pretty funny, and his interests go well beyond the short space I have here. John is a key ingredient to the resurgence of a downtown New London landmark: the Garde Arts Center. He provides updates on what's happening there. I also get the impression this rock n' roll aficionado plays a mean guitar himself. One of these days Rebecca and I will have time to accept his offers to be his guests at a Garde Arts Center event. I am way overdue to see something there. Would you buy a car from the man in the center of the picture? I would.

An Unlucky Time?

Here we are, sandwiched in between Friday the 13th and the Ides of March on the 15th. If you have a fear of the number 13, you have triskaidekaphobia! On March 15th in 44 B.C., Julius Caesar had a particularly crummy day. Getting assassinated sucks. March is my least favorite month, with the exception of St. Patrick's Day. It does seem to have bad connotations for me and my family. I often find myself stressed or bummed out at this time of year, with everything and everyone around me seemingly in an uproar. Then it dawned on me today - a pretty decent day allowing for a sorely needed moment of clarity. If I deserve better than some unfairness that has befallen me, then I must be good enough to be above the hurt feelings, petty nonsense and the need to win 100% of the time. After a bumpy 13th, I just let it go on the 14th, like flipping a switch, and it feels like a weight off my shoulders. Break the negative cycle or let it continue without you. If we don't think we deserve to be happy - lucky month or not - who will?

Norwich Bulletin Reflects Changing Times

The paper remains, but 27 employees do not as GateHouse, the Bulletin's parent company, decided to close down its manufacturing operation in downtown Norwich. I know one person who worked there since 1971 - basically her whole working life. The paper will now be produced in Auburn, Massachusetts. The Norwich Bulletin has been caught up in the perfect storm that has engulfed the newspaper business. The recession and the loss of classified advertising to websites like Craig's List are just the latest reasons for a massive decline in revenues. Circulation has also taken a hit, as younger readers find their news on the web and local TV stations ramp up their hours of news coverage. There's more to this story. The decline of many newspapers has been hastened by the huge debt incurred by companies snapping up properties with inflated pre-recession pricetags like there was no tomorrow. Some big broadcast corporations engaged in this acquisition spree as well. Well, tomorrow has come. These short-term business strategies have lined a few business people's pockets while a media tradition that may have otherwise survived appears less likely to do so. Have you read a newspaper lately?

Wakeup Club Cast of Characters: Our American Idol Expert

The other week while Rebecca was on vacation and Phred was filling in, we realized that neither one of us had much chance to catch what was happening on Fox's top-rated primetime show. Like a lot of busy people, we just weren't able to devote enough TV viewing time to American Idol! Well, our solution was closer than we thought. Alycia Mraz, one of our WBMW producers, has been a wealth of information on every season of the show since its start. She can also sing. We are excited to have Alycia on board giving us her take on a show practically everyone talks about. Listen at 7:25am to Soft Rock 106.5 the day after every American Idol broadcast for her American Idol Update. Alycia has also started a "We Love Soft Rock 106.5" Facebook page. Although Alycia's been helpful in everything from live remote broadcasts to compiling storm cancellations, I have a feeling she has only begun her contributions to our stations.

My Starbucks Stop

I've always admired the American success story that is Starbucks, but it's no secret that the coffee giant has been feeling the squeeze with its perception of price in these lean times along with a full fledged attack by Dunkin Donuts and McDonald's. Last night I stopped into Starbucks. Since it was late, I asked for a tall (which I guess is medium) decaf. They told me that it would take a few minutes, since they no longer brew decaf continuously after a certain point in the afternoon. I had forgotten about that and, since I didn't want to wait, opted for caffeine. It strikes me as strange, since I would think more people would want decaf late in the day. We're always being told to avoid caffeine after 2:00 p.m. to get a better night's sleep. I really wonder if they did their homework on this one. If it was an arbitrary corporate decision, Starbucks' troubles may be just beginning. That would be a shame, since they are neat, mellow places to meet people and even conduct business without being surrounded by Mayor McCheese and big donut posters! Oh, and they may want to knock down the $3 pricetag on the vanilla chai tea, too.

CSB Closes Its Doors

The Connecticut School of Broadcasting abruptly closed its doors March 4th, shutting down its 26 locations in 16 states and filing for bankruptcy protection. My ties to the school go back to early 1974 as a student at the Stratford branch. Back then, there were only the Farmington and Stratford schools. Tuition was $800 for a 12-week course and veteran Hartford broadcaster Dick Robinson was its president. Since Robinson sold CSB, the deepening recession has taken its toll on the school, even with broadcasting hopefuls paying $12,000 tuition. My experience at CSB was a positive one, and my connection to it did not end with graduation. The man who became CSB's longtime director, Hank Tenney, broke into the radio business in 1977 when a very young program director at WCNX in Middletown - yours truly - hired him for the afternoon airshift. Hank has since moved on to media production and sales here in New London, and we are very overdue to do lunch. I have had many opportunities to teach at CSB in Stratford, Farmington and Pawcatuck. My co-host Rebecca on the Soft Rock 106.5 Wakeup Club went to CSB, as did countless other people I've worked with. My training in radio went beyond CSB's 12 weeks, to college radio in Keene, New Hampshire and a slew of part-time local radio gigs. I still think of 1974 as a pivotal year in my life, and my decision to pursue a path through the Connecticut School of Broadcasting was one big reason why.

Winter Fatigue

Have you had it? We may have had colder and snowier winters, but this winter really stands out for so few breaks from cold and storms. We need a break! Now forecasts are calling for a messy Monday as March prepares to come in like a lion. That means more storm cancellations and delays. I deal with the cold better than many, but enough is enough. The treacherous drives into a job where lateness doesn't go over well have been too numerous. We'll be there with the information you need on Soft Rock 106.5. Rebecca may wish her vacation lasted one more day!

A Broadcasting Legend

Whether or not you were among the millions who made ABC Radio commentator Paul Harvey a part of your day, there is no doubt that this man represented the best this business has ever offered. Harvey died at age 90 in Phoenix. His one-of-a-kind delivery combined with a unique ability to blend news with commentary. He was also one of the most effective advertising pitchmen in hstory. Through all the changes in formats and personnel broadcasting is famous for, consistency is really what wins. Paul Harvey delivered that like few others.

A Comedy Classic

Even though I've seen Mel Brooks' "Blazing Saddles" a dozen times, it seemed only right to see it again on this, the 35th anniversary of the movie's release. The groundbreaking - well, windbreaking - comedy classic is fittingly my brother's favorite movie. Even with the passage of time (and yeah, wind) and the deletion of some now politically incorrect lines, this movie is still fresh. Some people may see it as low brow humor, but my advice is to lighten up. Heddy ("that's Hedley") Lamar actually sued Brooks over the use of her name in it. It may also be a "guy thing." "Airplane" from 1980 still tops my list of funny movies, but "Blazing Saddles" is up there.

Score One for Local Station Owners

John Fuller's Red Wolf Broadcasting - the company I work for at WBMW - made some big waves in the radio industry last week with a deal to purchase Hartford's 50,000 watt alternative rocker WURH. SEE THE STORY HERE. "fm104one" covers most of Connecticut and can be heard loud and clear into western Massachusetts. A radio station sale is historically nothing unusual, but broadcasting is anything but business as usual these days. With so many independent owners having sold out to the big conglomerates - and the big media companies now under serious mountains of debt - the story of John Fuller's deal is exceptional. In an era of declining advertising revenues and massive layoffs nationwide, the Red Wolf acquisition is a step in the other direction. If you remain in decent financial shape, this can be a time of opportunity. John understands this and is not afraid to take an informed chance. How will this new 800-pound gorilla in the room (in the next market over, anyway) affect our Ledyard, CT operation? John told me it will be exciting, to which I responded that working for him has always been that. He has a real pro with VP/programming Brian Ram, and one of the best staffs I've ever worked with. Will I end up back in Hartford radio? I'm comfortable with my spot on the Soft Rock 106.5 Wakeup Club, but who knows what change will bring?

Time to End Casino Smoking?

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is leading another effort to phase out smoking at the state's casinos. While there are legitimate issues of tribal sovereignty involved in this issue, I hope the Mohegans and Mashantucket Pequots will step up to the plate and institute their own ban on smoking. It is a public health issue, especially for casino workers exposed to the dangers of second-hand smoke for prolonged periods. They don't have a choice now. I remember when Dunkin' Donuts started a chainwide ban on smoking. People who came to Dunkin' for a caffeine/sugar/nicoteine combo somehow managed to cope without the latter, and business is as brisk as ever. Who would have thought bars could survive smoke-free? Most bars survived, even with the unfair loophole allowing private clubs to let their clientele light up. Will Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun take a hit at a tough time in the economy? Perhaps, but it is the right thing to do. It will not affect business very much in the long term if the examples of other public places prove valid.

UPDATE: Attorney General Blumenthal called in to the Wakeup Club this week (2/25) to discuss his stand against casino smoking. He agreed with my contention that the tribes should take the initiative in banning smoking, but elaborated on his plans to pursue legal action.

Super Bowl One Week - Steroid Scandal The Next

Alex Rodriguez - perhaps the greatest player in baseball today - is the latest player to be tarnished by performance enhancing drugs. Unfortunately, with 103 other players on the list, that doesn't make A-Rod unique. Nor is it fair to have his name leaked just because of his $250 million salary while others stay anonymous. The issue here isn't even the use of steroids between 2001-2003 and the message it sends to the youth of America. Baseball players shouldn't automatically qualify as role models. It has everything to do with telling the truth. That's what athletes, actors, politicians, CEOs and others who find themselves under public scrutiny too often fail to realize until it's too late. They owe us that much. Spare us the denials. Take a cue from President Obama when he took blame for a nominee not working out, saying, "I screwed up." That was refreshing, and Americans get that. On the other hand, if we are looking for heroes at a sporting event we need look no further than the Super Bowl and presence of the crew of the "Miracle on the Hudson" who crash-landed Flight 1549 and the leader of our troops in Iraq, General David Petraeus. Let's hope A-Rod makes up in a big way for his lack of candor. Americans are a forgiving bunch.

Do Something!

The entire workforce of Circuit City is getting pink slips. That's close to 40,000 people - the size of a small city like New London or Norwich. This shock to the economy reverberates well beyond that to thousands of others who dealt with the bankrupt electronics retailer. With stories like this out there for all to see, you still have to wonder whether our representatives in Washington get it. The President is trying to reach across the aisle to get bipartisan cooperation on a stimulus package. While not perfect, most economists say drastic action is needed. Not one Republican voted for the package. In all fairness, there were a lot of items in the stimulus that had nothing to do with emergency measures, and Republicans had every right to point that out. $50 million in arts funding is pork barrel spending, at least when it's attached to this emergency funding. People who are hurting are not going to stand for inability by Congress to work together or the tacking on of special interest pork, and I hope this President won't either.