(Above: Yet another #1 album for Allan Sherman.) I always enjoyed comedy and parody. The earliest radio projects that I did (the ones I wrote about from sixth grade) involved taking something established and turning it on its ear in some way. When I got my own college radio morning show I sprinkled in liberal … Continue reading Don’t buy the liverwurst: Allan Sherman, “Shticks of One and a Half Dozen of the Other” (1963)
college radio
Greatest misses: ‘Til Tuesday, “Coming Up Close” (1987)
(Above: LP cover for Welcome Home, 1987) In the summer of 1985 I got to see Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers for the first time. It was the Southern Accents tour, perhaps now more famous for the concert shirts featuring the Confederate flag on them as "Rebels" was the single the record company was pushing. … Continue reading Greatest misses: ‘Til Tuesday, “Coming Up Close” (1987)
Songs you hate, then love: The Beach Boys, “Kokomo” (1988)
(Above: Which is the guiltier pleasure - the song or the movie?) If I haven't made it clear enough in earlier posts or by dropping lyrics into text sans citation, I like the Beach Boys. A lot. That's why the revulsion I felt when I first heard "Kokomo" was so troubling. Eventually, though, I came … Continue reading Songs you hate, then love: The Beach Boys, “Kokomo” (1988)
One morning in college radio: WIUS-FM, March 6, 1990
(Above: The square in downtown Macomb. I vaguely remember a restaurant there called "Eat," which I am sure is long gone by now.) March 6, 1990 was a Tuesday. In Macomb, Illinois, students at Western Illinois University were preparing for their much-needed spring break. Among them, though, was an interloper: a college-aged radio veteran posing … Continue reading One morning in college radio: WIUS-FM, March 6, 1990
One morning in college radio: December 5, 1988
(Above: Some of the WLRA airstaff, Spring 1988. Yours truly is in the mismatched Hawaiian clothing at the left of the frame.) Monday, December 5, 1988 was a chilly day in Chicagoland. In the news, PTL Ministries head Jim Bakker was indicted on charges that he defrauded his flock. (The various Bakker scandals would introduce … Continue reading One morning in college radio: December 5, 1988
One day in college radio: November 14, 1988
Above: A clinic in how not to design a business card, in terms of readability. Monday, November 14, 1988 was an overcast day around much of Chicagoland. The snows of winter weren't falling yet, and on the campus of Lewis University thoughts were beginning to turn to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. The Chicago Bears had … Continue reading One day in college radio: November 14, 1988
Forgoing your college eligibility: Stevie Wonder, “I Wish” (1976)
(Above: Me in a WJTW polo shirt. For some reason, this was taken in the production room of WCFL-FM/Morris.) 28 years ago tonight, I did my first professional radio show at WJTW-FM in Joliet. In an earlier post I discussed how I had applied for a job at the station in sales, but that my … Continue reading Forgoing your college eligibility: Stevie Wonder, “I Wish” (1976)
Imitation and flattery: The college radio show intro (1987 – 1988)
This piece is a little different today as it doesn't highlight a specific song, but will talk about a number of songs that all served the same purpose: starting my college radio shows. There's not much that people in radio don't rip off. If you've moved around the country, you've no doubt noticed the preponderance … Continue reading Imitation and flattery: The college radio show intro (1987 – 1988)
One morning in college radio: October 4, 1988
I never wanted to be the morning guy. I'm naturally an introvert. What might have been appealing about radio to me was the fact that I could have some alone time. I was also happy with not being the center of attention all of the time. In grade school I was often singled out for … Continue reading One morning in college radio: October 4, 1988
Crossing the line: Utter Confusion, “Beer Goggles” (1988)
(Above: The 12" single in question. Good luck finding it.) I had a long conversation with my college radio advisor yesterday. John Carey has been responsible for the students of WLRA at Lewis University for the last thirty years or so. He was a young advisor when I was a freshman back at the school … Continue reading Crossing the line: Utter Confusion, “Beer Goggles” (1988)
45 Ruminations Per Megabyte 