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IfIf radio is the the medium medium person, person, then then II can can live live voice voice and and the the world worldww
m of of the theugly ugly ee my my life life as as aa will willbe beperfect. perfect.
But the dead air has got to go.
That was Mika, with ‘Grace Kelly.’ Now let’s have some Green Day. Here’s
GREENDAY JOHN THE
JOHN:
-
AMERICAN
IDIOT
- NEIGHBOR/IDOL/FELLOW MUSIC GEEK/OLDEST DJ IN UNIVERSE/I THINK OF HIM LIKE A GRANDPA
relax
ut “Perfect! Don’t worry abo t the dead air. You’re jus relaa aaaax.... learnin’. But you gotta
and You gotta let it flooooow. Chatter self!” your y Enjo . ooow patter and let it floo
“Maybe next time.”
{
I could do radio for the rest of my life but I know it’s a dying industry. I have no idea if a person can make a living at dinky little stations like this, but I intend to find out. Not here, of course— this is strictly volunteer. John was a real DJ. He got me this show. But graduation is soon and so is summer. Life is soon.
}
L
The phone rings.
I STUFF
MY
VOICE
DEEP
IN
MY
CHEST
“Hello, KZUK, the Z that sucks.” // “No, you don’t! I love your show. Can you play a request for me?” // “Who is this?” my very first // “Just a fan” // “I can’t do a request now, but I’ll bring show’s been // on the air it next time if I have it. Uh… what’s your groove?” Dumb. Dorky. for all of six“’In the Summertime’ by Mungo Jerry. Do you know it? It’s minutes— and really old.” // “Music nerds know every song, especially I have a fan? No way one-hit wonders.” // “What’s your name? You haven’t said. I’m Mara.” // “I’m Gabe, uh, thanks, Mara, and tune in next John’s g one... week for your song.” I let a stranger talk to me, and I talked back. AND I told her my name.
That’s a lot. Possibly too much
3 seconds worth of dead air
“Lets have a slow one, for you and your sweetie, from way back in the fifties. Here’s: IN THE STILL
OF
THE
NIGHT
–
FIVE
SATINS
[that songs for john]
The phone rings again.
IN THE STILL
OF
THE
NIGHT
–
FIVE
SATINS
“Hello, KZUK, the Z that sucks.” // “Gabe, I have another I cl request.” my //vo“Mara?” // “’You Know My Name,’ by the Beatles— ice is high cov ear m do you have it?” // vo er an y thro e lo d pu at to “Of course. Both songs next week,icjust l we // “You’re awesome!” r l my for you.”
... love soBoogie
“Lets finish out the show with another danceable
on,people,
LOVE
SONG.
and I’ll see you next week. You’ve been listeing to Beautiful Music for Ugly Children on community
Beautiful Music for Ugly Children
radio 90.3 KZUK.”
DO YA
THINK
I’M
SEXY
–
ROB
STEWART
As I leave I find John outside, smoking
“You know that’s bad for your heart. And everything else. You’re old.” // “I’m not that old, and you just respect your elders, all right?” // “Where were you all this time?” // “Driving around, enjoying the night, listening to your show. And I was being jealous, because I wasn’t that good my first night. So I was pouting.” // “I bet you were good. Better, in fact.” // “You’d bet wrong. You were great.” // “Maybe” // “Next time though, you’ve got to say more. Tell them about you. Tell a story with the music.” // “A story?” // “It’ll take practice, but you’ll get it.” // he looks way more convinced than I feel // “I’d better go.” // “Can’t wait for the next show. Good night, Elizabeth.”
My parents My birth name is Elizabeth.
I’m a guy.
think I’ve gone
try not to s
crazy and the rest of the world is happy to agree with them, but I know
{
I’m right.
gh I
uy, thou A scared g
show it
{
freaking road and a guy with a long ahead of him.
But still.
J u s t a gu y .
}
I want people to listen— to my show, to me – but if they don’t, I don’t care. I’m playing it anyway.
and
this kids not alright