I was born in Buffalo, NY, but moved to Florida at a young age so I'm technically a "Florida Cracker." I grew up in Sarasota (go Pine View Pythons!), went to college in Gainesville (go Gators!), and settled into the Port Charlotte area about 20 years ago (what do we cheer for here anyway?).
When my dreams of becoming a Calvin Klien underwear model fell through (I know...look at me! How could they turn me down?) I fell back on the only thing I've ever been any good at - radio broadcasting (how sad is that??). I joined KIX Country 19 years ago and I've seen a lot of things change in that time. The community around me has changed a lot, and the radio business has changed more than I ever thought possible.
Many locals remember I used to have a radio partner, Bob Alexander. Sadly the shrinking economy forced many businesses, including ours, to downsize and now I'm flying solo. That's one of the changes I could really have done without, honestly. I'm probably not supposed to even say that - but I've always been an open book on the radio and I'm too old and stubborn to stop now. Besides, the boss never reads these things anyway. Really! Watch me thumb my nose at the establishment: hey boss - I've been stealing used coffee filters for years! Wow...getting that off my chest was a thrill.
One of the more positive changes in the radio business has been the opportunity for a little town "deejay" to broadcast to a much larger audience, now that we're "nationwide" on I Heart Radio. Be sure to download the app for your smart-phone or tablet today (Sorry, they make me say that). But it's always a blast to hear from people listening in other parts of the country. Even if most of the time they're contacting me just to let me know how stupid my latest opinion was.
Nowadays I call Deep Creek in Charlotte County home, along with my incredible wife Stephane and our baby-boy (of the furry variety) Tooie - an eight pound Pomeranian.
All in all it's been a crazy ride over the last couple of decades - anyone here during Hurricane Charlie can attest to that! I'm hoping that I'll be able to celebrate my 20th anniversary with this station (in November of 2013), but that largely will depend on the local economy. If things get bettter - I'll still be here, so please go out and buy all the new cars, furniture and mattresses you can afford! The more YOU spend, the more likely there will be a need for me to stay put. So, by all means, run up a butt-load of debt and let's make this thing happen!
Seriously, thank you for a long and rewarding gig so far. And by rewarding I mean mentally, emotionally and even spiritually - but certainly NOT financially. Not a complaint, just a clarification!
Todd M
