OK IS THIS RADIO THING WORTH IT?

As I look back on the events that have unfolded so far in my radio randy history, it makes me wonder why I didn't just decide to do something else. I don't remember thinking that at all at the time. As I write this story I'm wondering why I wasn't more bummed out. Young and stupid might be the answer. But clearly I did have a passion for radio that just wasn't going to be extinguised.

After the fiasco in Oneonta we moved back home again. Once again my mom and dad to the rescue. My grandmother had just died around the same time and she was living in a house in downtown Rushford that my folks still owned. So it was proposed that we stay with them thru the Holidays and then move into my gramma's house after the first of the year. One positive we have experienced in Oneonta, in the trailer, was that Erin had started walking. She was only about 11 months which is pretty early. But if you know Erin, not surprising.

What to do about a job? Clearly there were no radio opportunities in Rushford, or the surrounding area. Once again my brother lent a helping hand. He and my cousin had just started a new venture that involved a new technology. This new system helped large consumers of electricty lower their electric bills. Mostly designed for Restaurants and other businesses of that size. It was a computer unit that was installed and connected to all the cooling units and walk in freezers. This computer controlled how many of the units could switch on at any given time, there bye limiting the demand charges that businesses have to deal with.

They had sold the system to a chain of restaurants in Buffalo and they offered me the chance to work with the install crew to put these systems in. So we drove to Buffalo each day and spent time in the kitchen area of these fine eating establishments. What we all learned about what goes in kitchens has given us all pause ever since. One day while installing a thermostat inside a walk in freezer, we notice a stack of what looked like fluorescent lights stacked up. They were about 2 feet long and when we enquired about what they were doing in the freezer, one of the cooks explained. Synthetic eggs he said. What? Yeah we thaw them out and then slice them up for use in salads. So whenever you see one of those perfectly sliced hard boiled eggs don't assume it was the work of some contentious chicken.

This work continued throughout the winter and when the weather got better I started  working with my brothers other business. I became a truck driver. Hauling sand and gravel for small construction projects. This appeared to be the direction my career was going for the time being. I had had little chance to prepare tapes and resumes from Oneonta and hadn't sent out any. I was continuing to look at the trade magazines for openings, but it seemed pretty bleak. That's the way it feels now, but again I don't remember feeling that way at the time. We were basically happy. Erin was a great kid and fun to play with and  growing and learning all the time. We were close to family and I actually enjoyed the work with my brother.

Often during this period I would find myself listening to the radio. Critiquing, questioning, wondering and most of all wishing.

Even after the bad situation in Kentucky and the unfortunate turn of events in Oneonta my folks never once said anything about me choosing a different type of profession. They encouraged and helped us and I think that is pretty amazing. At least as I think back about it now.

I often recall those events when talking to young people who say they want to get into the business. I counsel
them about the importance of being ready to move and how important support from your family can be. I know many people in this business who did not have that kind of support from family and in many cases spouses. That's tough. I'm lucky, even with all the ups and downs Vicky has always treated each mishap and move as just another adventure and that is one of the reasons we are going on 33 years.

Character building. That's what I call these early years. Lasalle- Peru, Manchester, Oneonta. Tough, yes, but I wouldn't change them. They helped make me who I am. They helped shape my radio IQ and taught me that how you treat people really matters. People are the only resource radio has. Radio stations exist only on the air, in people's radio's. The building, transmitter and equipment are not really worth much without people to make it go.

The people who fired John and I in Oneonta, just a week before Thanksgiving gave no thought to our welfare. We had moved our families, worked incredible hours and taken a piece of crap radio station and set it on the right course. What did we get for it?

More than you think as it turns out. We got a lesson in character and doing the right thing. And both John and I got the opportunity to work with a guy who would become a mentor and friend.

Dave Weinfeld never forgot what happened to us. In early August of that year Dave called me and said. Hey, my PD just got a job in Trenton NJ, how would you like to come and program CQ 102 for me?

Once again I heard that little voice in my head. My mom saying "things have a way of working out for the best". The older I get the smarter my parents are. Isn't it the truth?

Of course I accepted and arrived in Geneva on Labor Day weekend to start. Dave showed me into my office and said, you have to share with the sales manager. I said, that's fine who is it?

I saw for myself as John Hogan stood up to shake my hand. No beer glasses this time he said and I can assure you we have plenty of cart machines, reel to reel machines and commercials.

No, Dave didn't forget what happened to us.

That day was the beginning of a four year run that would shape and influence the rest of my career.

Next time: How many people in  the country actually do a Dave Weinfeld impression?