As a kid in the 1960s-early 70’s listening to WRIG & WIFC and pestering the DJs with requests and telling them that they were playing the wrong songs, I really couldnt have envisioned working in that business for nearly 40 years and spending many of those years working at those stations.
I can’t remember when I decided that I wanted to go into the radio business…sometime in high school I think, when it became apparent I would never be a major league centerfielder (lol).
I had heard that UWSP had an excellent student run radio station so that’s where I went. The thing about WWSP is that it truly was “student run”. Unlike many other college radio stations, the kids ran the place and decided what went on the air and then were tasked with making that happen in a professional way. We truly believed we were an alternative that was on par with the commercial radio stations in the market, and in many ways we were.
I have to thank the older student mentors that I had at that place that laid a foundation of knowledge which allowed me to work in this business for so many years. Guys like Chris Shebel, Jerry Gavin (learned alot about rock music from Gav), Tim Bedore, and The Big K, Scotty Krueger who gave me my first chance at 90fm as a sports guy and is still going strong as the dean of Central Wisconsin broadcasters.
While in college I was able to land a weekend gig on WIFC and it was another great learning environment. I’m grateful that the folks that ran the place at the time allowed a young broadcaster to learn “on the job’ and make the mistakes that naturally came in a “live” situation. The mid 70’s was really a golden age for WIFC with a super stong lineup that included Sebastian Oliver Stone, Tom Collins (Tim Bedore’s older brother), Jim “The Duke of Madness” Owen and Tom “The Incredible Hud” Hudson. I will forver be in the debt of Owen and Hudson who let me hang around in the studio while they were working to soak in how it was done.
Some other people that I have to thank…Doug Wick who gave me a full-time gig at the new oldies station in town (WOFM) and allowed me back into the business after a short sabbatical in the early 90’s. Also, Bob Jung, the then station manager at the Midwest Communications stations in Wausau, who, when they bought WOFM, suggested I move over to do sports on the WSAU morning show with Howard Gernetsky. It also allowed me to become the play-by-play voice of my alma-mater, Wausau East, for the next 27 years.
To all the people I’ve worked with over the years, too many to mention, I thank you for putting up with my sometimes contrary ways and curmudgeonly attitudes. Even though the hours were never really that good, I have always loved the fact that I have been able to carve out a long career in a business that doesnt always allow that.
I’ve said before that not alot of people get to walk away from this business under their own power and I’m thankful that I am able to do that before being asked to leave. Credit that to working for such a long time at Midwest Communications owned by radio legend Duke Wright, who recently passed away. Duke was big believer in “live and local” radio even after many of the big companies went in other directions.
While my full-time morning gig is ending, I’m still going to be around for awhile doing some late morning and early afternoon newscasts on WSAU until my replacement is found and trained.
I’ve been asked what I will do in retirement. My first answer is “learn how to sleep when it’s dark”. I also have a gig with Zaleski Sports doing live streaming of high school sports. I’ll have my baseball coaching at Wausau East in the spring and with the Wausau American Legion team in the summer. Also lots of books and movies to get to. And our FOAM (Fraternal Order of Adolescent Males) group as my buddies and I try to visit every watering hole in Marathon County before we croak.
Thanks to everyone for the most excellent ride (especially our loyal listeners). I will remember all my years with fondness.
