11/15/2006

Okay, get lots of sleep, because you’ll want to stay up late tomorrow night- because yours truly will be live in the WGN radio studios with our good friends Steve and Johnnie for a big broadcast. Joining me will be one of the guys in charge here at WCIU- and the guy who really turned the place into “the U”- vice-president Neal Sabin. We’ve both known Steve and Johnnie for a long time, and we’ve talked about the two of us being there together sometime- so, tomorrow night a little after 11:15 on AM 720- we’ll be there. Please listen in, and , yes, there’s a chance we may just take some phone calls! I know I’ve told this story before- I’d met Steve and Johnnie back when both were working at WIND, doing talk programming, and had then worked with them at WGN, as well as at WFLD. When I had left WFLD the last time (1993)- I’d been free-lancing, and doing Son of Sven just for public appearances- and Steve and Johnnie had asked me to show up as him for their annual food drive at a north suburban pumpkin farm. I remember being there at 5 am- freezing! Johnnie lent me a nice warm cape, and we did several hours of live broadcasting from there. They mentioned that their former boss and good friend- Neal Sabin- was about to launch the newly- renovated WCIU , and said “you should really talk to him!” Needless to say, they paved the way for me talking to Neal, and becoming a charter member of “the U’s” launch team. I’ve thanked them many times before- and I hope all of you thank them, because I might never have been here at WCIU for almost twelve years if not for them! One more thing- you know the skeleton pin that’s on my lapel? That was a gift from Steve and Johnnie when I went to their food drive. I always look upon it as a “good luck charm”- since it was right after that ,that I joined WCIU. That’s why it became a permanent part of the Sven wardrobe!(Although Johnnie’s cape didn’t…) Steve and Johnnie recently celebrated their 5000th show on WGN, and I recorded a special song to commemorate the occasion. I’ve been on the radio with them quite a few times-even been there at their Showcase studio on Michigan Avenue to welcome in a few New Years! They’re great people, good friends, and always a lot of fun. Plus, Johnnie usually bakes little tidbits for when we drop by…so- YOU drop by- tomorrow night,11:15, WGN AM720. It’s sure to be fun- and, no doubt, Steve will fire the “Berwyn” shout-out at least a few times. I’ll remind you again in tomorrow’s blog- so, come back then! Before I become “radio-active” (get it? Radio? Yeah, that DID stink…) # # #