11/15/2007
Will you be staying up late tomorrow (Friday) night? If so, you might enjoy tuning in to WGN radio (AM 720) around midnight- as yours truly Svengoolie and/or Rich Koz makes a telephonic appearance with our old friend Nick DiGilio. It’s always a good time talking with Nick and his listeners (yes, chances are we will take phone calls!)-and Nick has great knowledge of the show, our movies, etc. Nick’s story is pretty interesting in itself- he started out doing reviews for Roy Leonard on WGN- also appeared on other shows at the station, and eventually got his own airshifts. He’s also worked in theater and is a heck of a writer! Add to that, the fact that he’s a really good guy, and has always been very generous in having us do guest shots with him.(I know- you thought he had better taste than that!) Anyway, I hope you’ll tune in tomorrow night- I think they start the hour off with a brief newscast, and chances are I’ll be coming up right after that.
My recent round of radio interviews has reminded me how much I enjoy radio, and all the time I’ve put in, between guest shots, regular and “irregular” airshifts, etc- and the many people I’ve met while working in radio. Some have become lifelong friends- some I still haven’t quite figured out. I’ve worked with some old school veterans that I’ve learned a lot from- and met some whose egos were nearly unbearable. There are some who are incredible professionals- and some who couldn’t make things happen without a whole core of people propping them up.
I remember working with an overnight guy who would –ahem- sample his favorite beverages during his show, accompanied by his board operator- then, after his shift, hide his bottles in the trash cans by the vending machines, then retire to the disc jockey lounge and spend a few hours singing “hillbilly” songs, accompanying himself on his guitar. I remember an arrogant weekend part-time guy, coming in for his shift in a snit, complaining that he had to leave a date with “one of Chicago’s top models” to come in and do his show. Boo friggin’ hoo. I recall one engineer who came in somewhat “impaired” and during a very serious interview phone call, decided to insert a wacky audio sound effect. I worked with one guy who was so paranoid that my show might be better than his, that he would call people in authority that were his friends, and get them to complain about me. There are guys who are exactly the same on air and off- and some who are completely different people from the person they are when on air. There are talented people who could use a better break- and those who are in top spots who don’t deserve it. I guess it’s the same in every business, though…
Anyway- tomorrow night, what you hear is what you get- from both Nick and me. Listen and judge for yourself!
My recent round of radio interviews has reminded me how much I enjoy radio, and all the time I’ve put in, between guest shots, regular and “irregular” airshifts, etc- and the many people I’ve met while working in radio. Some have become lifelong friends- some I still haven’t quite figured out. I’ve worked with some old school veterans that I’ve learned a lot from- and met some whose egos were nearly unbearable. There are some who are incredible professionals- and some who couldn’t make things happen without a whole core of people propping them up.
I remember working with an overnight guy who would –ahem- sample his favorite beverages during his show, accompanied by his board operator- then, after his shift, hide his bottles in the trash cans by the vending machines, then retire to the disc jockey lounge and spend a few hours singing “hillbilly” songs, accompanying himself on his guitar. I remember an arrogant weekend part-time guy, coming in for his shift in a snit, complaining that he had to leave a date with “one of Chicago’s top models” to come in and do his show. Boo friggin’ hoo. I recall one engineer who came in somewhat “impaired” and during a very serious interview phone call, decided to insert a wacky audio sound effect. I worked with one guy who was so paranoid that my show might be better than his, that he would call people in authority that were his friends, and get them to complain about me. There are guys who are exactly the same on air and off- and some who are completely different people from the person they are when on air. There are talented people who could use a better break- and those who are in top spots who don’t deserve it. I guess it’s the same in every business, though…
Anyway- tomorrow night, what you hear is what you get- from both Nick and me. Listen and judge for yourself!
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