One of the most important things I've learned in 35 years of radio, is that people are the most important resource we have in the business. They tend to be quirky, introverted, passionate and ego-centric. Those are not bad qualities to have when you spend you days sitting in a room along pretending that you are talking to people. That's what it's like to be on the radio. You sit there, playing songs and talking to no one. Being an introvert helps and a very high percentage of on air folks have that quality in spades. Most are more comfortable in front of a microphone that a group of people. On the other hand, when you put a microphone in front of most anybody else they act like it's a rattlesnake and recoil.
Anyway, the experiences I've had are wonderful but the people I've met on this journey have made it really special. Up to this point in the story I had already encountered some very memorable characters, but in Charlotte that went to a whole new level.
All of us have times in our life that we cherish and look back upon fondly. For many it's High School or College. For some it's the military experience. I have great memories from all of those times, but my time in
radio is even more special. Charlotte in particular stands out because the the incredible cast of characters I encountered at WROQ as well as the folks who became our neighbors. It will take me a few chapters to
re-live the rich experience we all had while in Charlotte.
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It was May of 1987 when I crossed into North Carolina on I 77. I stopped at the rest area at Fancy Gap to take a breather and admire the view. I had been driving for a few hours from Woodstock Virginia. I had stopped over there to see my old Air Force friend and roommate Martin French. The day before I had driven from N.Y. about a six hour drive. Vicky had given me a wonderful send-off: A surprise going away party in our backyard in Waterloo. Friends and former co-workers showed up for the party, some I hadn't seen in quite some time. She managed to arrange the whole thing complete with a large tent in the backyard without me suspecting a thing.
Up to this point in the trip I had been reflecting on the party and saying goodbye to Vicky and girls for a while. I'll admit there were some teary miles along the way. But as I got back into the car after a brief rest at Fancy Gap I started thinking about what I was traveling toward. I flipped on the radio as I got back on
the interstate and tuned in 95.1. The Q came blasting in. After about 30 minutes I thought to myself, wow!
The station sounded great. One of my first thoughts was, yikes, what have I gotten myself into? Am I ready for this? This is really a big time sounding radio station.
I've found that over the years, each time I have gone to a new station I have the same reaction when driving into town for the first time to take over as the Program director. But in all cases I've figured it out and went on to be successful at each turn.
I arrived in Charlotte in the early evening on a Sunday night. The station had set me up at a Hampton Inn for a month so I could get settled. I checked in and started planning my first day at the station which would begin early on Monday morning.
It turned out to be a typical first day experience. I spent time with the General Manager and the Corporate programmer who had hired me. I met with the staff and moved into my office. What cool digs, the office was a glassed in office with a private bathroom, a first for me. We spent some time strategizing on the direction of the station and then I settled in for put my plan together.
Here is where one of the most memorable characters entered my life. He was hanging just outside my office door and had been for quite some time. I finally motioned for him to come in.
He shook my hand and said with his amazing baritone voice, Hey, I'm Dwayne Ward. I remembered that
he worked in the news department as a street reporter and fill in anchor on the morning show when our Lead anchor was out.
We both sat down and Dwayne handed me several CD's. These are some tunes I think we should look at to add to the play list he said. I took the CD's and replied, uh, don't you work in the news department?
Yup, he said, but I'm going to be your music director.
With that he got up and walked out.
Next time: The Summer of Dwayne.
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