Gainesville, Florida, home of the U of F fightin' Gators. Growing up in a college town rocks when there's such a heavy influence on the city's culture from all the students being around. Looking forward to the future with a high degree of excitement/anticipation and having a vibe in the air that says you can be anything you want to be as long as you prepare for it with knowledge and passion was paramount. Then, there's the fun/party factor. A town of 50 thousand people with 35 thousand college students right in the middle of it. Get where I'm coming from?
Favorite Wolf moment:
Wow, there have already been so many of these over a relatively short time span. Our first free concert, constantly getting positive feedback from listeners who love the music we bring to the market and what we do on the air to make them happy. Awesome. Probably the best, above all, was signing up to join the Wolf's air staff, which got me to The Bay Area, my favorite place on Earth. Then, meeting the team members who had come from all over the country to help create an amazing radio station and realizing this was going to be one of the most magical and fulfilling situations in my life.
What was your first job?
The absolute first way I made money was mowing lawns for neighbors at 2 bucks a pop. I used the cash to buy big tubes and high voltage electronic components that couldn't be found in old radios and TVs folks would throw out. I needed these things to experiment with and build AM radio transmitters. I remember ACHING to broadcast by the time I was 10 years old. Reached that goal by 12 but was busted by the Feds with a home made pirate station that covered town from my bedroom at 16. Having US Marshals and the FCC show up at the front door really freaked out my parents even though they could surely smell the aroma of solder in the air on a regular basis. I explained to the authorities that this was simply a strategic career move which was a means to an end. They didn't see the humor in my comments at all. However, this approach worked perfectly as a marketing campaign to get me noticed...it made the local newspaper (The Gainesville Sun) and created a buzz among radio station managers. When I went around applying for work, they remembered me as the kid who got caught. Sure enough, I joined a hometown Pop station (WGGG) doing the graveyard shift while still a Senior in High School. The door had opened and I jammed both feet through it. At last, I had my shot.
If you had to pick one song to take with you on a deserted island what would it be?
Could I take along a guitar? I’d probably write songs that would keep me company. Otherwise, anything which includes the lyric, "You are never really alone." You know, I have many "imaginary friends" and friendly spirits around that only I can perceive who would keep me company. Reminds me, I have another therapy session in 30 minutes.
T.V. show you secretly enjoy?
The original "Law and Order" and the old school Perry Mason episodes! I enjoy "Myth Busters," which is filmed here in The Bay by the Discovery Channel. Other than those shows, I really don't watch much TV except to get a news update. I prefer Radio and Internet streams. The pictures are better.
Best job you ever had?
I've narrowed this down to 3 but in no particular order of importance. They are: Coaching and mentoring up and coming Radio talent, helping to raise the kids (I've changed enough diapers to have a landfill with my last name on it) and playing with rock bands in Jr. High and High School. Sooo many Fraternity and Sorority party gigs, sooo little time! One of my sons is currently at UC/Berkeley and the youngest daughter is about to follow him here. I'm proud to be a teacher, a Dad and a musician. The most gratifying thing for me is to help people become more aware of who and what they really are and watching them soar to a high level of success in fields where they have strong abilities. Many times, it just takes a different perspective and a reminder that every single person is gifted in their own special way. These gifts come built in from the Creator Of All Things. To not realize this is a travesty and waste of creativity.
What was your first car?
The most accurate answer would have to be a go-cart. The neighborhood kids would build these things and we'd all drive them around. Waaay too much fun there! The cops didn't mind as long as we stayed off busy streets. In those days, you could get a "Learner Permit" at 14 and a full blown driver's license as early as your 16th birthday. We had Driver's Education at school but go-carts were a lot more fun than a simulator in a classroom. Ya think?
How old were you when you first moved away from your hometown?
18, after High School. Never did college. The SAT tests put me at 3rd and 4th year College level anyway. Some of the family had a problem with this decision and called it irresponsible and limiting. I preferred to call it breaking out of the normal box of expectations and following my dreams. Landed in Daytona Beach where I received an offer to do the afternoon show and be the Music Director on WDAT. Also was the morning news man for the station. A very long work day but I was eating it up with an appetite that was hard to satisfy. On my own, in the profession of my choosing and making enough money to get by. Happy? VERY.
What is the first thing you do in the morning?
Make entries in my "Dream notebook" on the PC before the details slip away from memory. There are some very valuable personal insights and particular patterns that can be observed from doing this exercise. I now understand why I'm half crazy.
First celebrity crush?
Mary Tyler Moore. She was gorgeous and kind. I was convinced her husband, Rob Petrie (Dick Van Dyke), had it better than he ever realized, lol. I would often ponder how she could be in love with a goofy guy that would walk through the door and always trip over the furniture. They changed that in future versions and I liked to think it was because of my thoughts on the matter being "picked up" by the decision makers on the show. Later in life, I was part of an interview team for Carol Burnett, another childhood crush, in San Diego. While posing for pictures after we got off the air and standing next to her, she reached around and grabbed my left butt cheek just before they snapped the picture. My expression speaks volumes. She was grinning ear to ear and laughing out loud. A truly wonderful woman.
Current Celebrity Crush?
Katie Couric. Her intelligence, smile, eyes and figure make me feel weak.. Quite a lady.
Most annoying habit:
I tend to preach to people a lot, based on info gained through life experiences, ala "The School Of Hard Knocks." Here's a little more of that expressed through my favorite quote from Dr. Seuss. It goes something like this: "Always be yourself because the people who really matter won't mind and the people who mind won't really matter.” Words to live by.
