Slaughterhouse Five

Saturday 9: W.O.L.D. (1973)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song tells the story of a man who has made a career in radio.  How many professions have you worked in? Five major ones, of which radio was one. Hotel, Furniture, Video and Liquor were the others with liquor longest after radio.

 

2) He describes himself as "45 going on 15." This morning, do you feel older or younger than your years? I spent last night on a first contact phone call. I forgot how bad they can be.

3) He estimates that he's traveled thousands of miles, from town to city, as disc jockey at various stations. Have you ever relocated for a job? Yes. I left Hartford for Boston in 1995 for a radio job at WBCN.

4) This song is written as though he's reached out to an ex. Is there someone from your past who is on your mind this morning? My past is always on my mind. It's unavoidable.

5) Tell us about a radio personality you grew up listening to. Joey Reynolds was primarily on WPOP in Hartford but was on WDRC as well. I met him when he did a guest show on my station 91Q.

6) This week's featured artist, Harry Chapin, was an Oscar nominee. Before he became a musician, he wrote and directed a documentary about boxing called Legendary Champions. When you sit down to watch a movie, would you prefer action, comedy, drama, fantasy, horror, mystery, romance, thriller or documentary? It depends on who I am with...

 

7) Today Harry Chapin is fondly remembered for his philanthropy. He filled his calendar with benefit concerts that supported local food banks all around the country. How would you like to be remembered? As a good brother/father/grandfather/friend.

8) In 1973, when this song was popular, one of the top-selling toys was a Curious George book packaged with a plush Curious George. Can you recall a favorite book from your childhood? I loved Animal Farm & 1984. And later Kurt Vonnegut

 

9) Random question: Here's $100. What will you spend it on? Dinner with a beautiful woman. Who I've yet to meet. But I'm working on it...

 

Those Were The Days, My Friend

 

Sunday Stealing: Personal History

1.  What would you like people to know about your mother? For a woman who didn't particularly want children, while flawed, she did a remarkably good job.

2.  What would you like people to know about your father? My dad was my best friend. He had a wicked sense of humor and fun. Before my stupid and ill-fated 3rd marriage, my dad and I went out at least weekly while he sang at piano bars. 

3.  What was your childhood bedroom like? It was paneled. I had a bunch of sports pennants up till high school. 

4.  What was your favorite activity as a child? Playing doctor with the girl next door.

5.  What was high school like for you? I was the ringleader of WTIT which had 5 main guys and another 5 who were more social than pivotal. We had parties all the time. Those were the days, my friend.

6.  Write about your cousins. Nice people. Those I know. 

7.  What was your favorite food as a child? Steak.

8.  What was your most memorable birthday? My 40th. I was  newly single and dating a lot of women. My dad told me to enjoy my 40s cuz they were the best. He was right in that regard. 

9.  What world events were significant to you as a child? JFK's, RFK's and MLK's assignations.

10. What did a typical day look like as a child? Bought the same as now. Sun came up around 6...

11. Write about your grandparents. I only knew one well. My mom's mom was widowed young and raised six kids then raised four grandchildren (my cousins). The best woman.

12. Did you move as a child? Only once when I was 7.

13. Who taught you to drive? My dad.

14. Which job has been your favorite? Morning DJ.

15. What was the best part of your 30s? I was wealthy and raised my kids. Great years! (But I learned far more from the lean years that followed)