10 Questions with ... Gerry House

1) Your show, the House Foundation, has become a part of the fabric in the Nashville community. What about your show in your opinion makes it so special to this area?

I think being on the air in a city for 75-80 years is the KEY to success. At least that's how I did it. You become part of their lives like parking meters and the "Y" and quality sewage. When you've been there so long they listen because they think it's required THAT'S when you become successful.

2) You left Nashville and did radio in Los Angeles for a couple of years. Was that a hard decision to make, to leave Music City? What moved you to come back?

When I left Nashville I was hosting the Waking Crew on WSM. The last live and/audience radio show in America. The singers who were on a lot were Lorrie Morgan and Alan Jackson. The week we arrived in L.A my wife and daughter were on the cover of Teen Magazine. My daughter was modeling and Allyson (wife) was thrilled with being there. We had a beautiful house in Coldwater Canyon. L.A. was fabulous. It was an uncomfortable fit for me on the air. I also remember soon after I got there I had a #1 with Reba I had co-written. One of the two co-writers, my pal Bob DiPiero called me from the #1 party at BMI in Nashville and put the phone down so I could listen by myself from my house in L.A. I knew I was going back.

3) Radio has changed so much. In your opinion do you think it's possible for a new radio personality to become as in grained into a market as you have?

Of course there will be big radio personalities. It's just different now, not worse. Somebody will figure out the model and be huge. I remember radio stars when

I was a kid and they hardly talked at all. They didn't have Twitter and the internet but they formed a personality in just a few minutes.

4) You were on the air after a couple of huge tragedies -- September 11, 2001 and most recently, the Nashville flood. When people turn you on after something like that, they're looking for a sense of calm. Was it difficult going on the air during those times and can you remember a particular call or caller that stands out?

I'd love to take credit, but I flew through New York City on the evening of 9/10 from London. I woke up and saw all the horror like everyone else on the tube.

During the Nashville flood we were at our farm in the country, trapped for two days. I DO remember the radio event that our GM Tom English put together to talk about it on all the stations and it was amazing.

5) You have always been able to balance the audience, from the guy who works the overnight shift at a factory and listens to you on the way home, to the big wigs in the music industry that listen. Are there any secrets to making the show inclusive?

It's simple. People are normal and funny. I've battled all my life the "don't talk about things that your audience won't relate to" syndrome (although not recently).

I talk about what I think is funny and interesting and the factory worker and the big wigs all get it. I never gave a single thought to being inclusive. If I could make Mike Bohan laugh it was funny to anybody. I bristle at the notion that because somebody changes tires for a living they don't know what's going on. Yes, there are some blocks of wood out there, but there are as many in board rooms as there are in service stations.

6) Was there ever a time when you went all-talk on your show or have you always played some music?

I have always done a talk show interrupted by music. The music levels have varied over the years. Probably not enough now.

7) Why did the show never become syndicated? Surely, you have had offers - right?

I've done several syndicated deals. Some good, some not so good. Lot of experimenting in those days. My best experience was on XM. It was thrilling to me that people would put up with local weather, local news, local traffic, etc. by taking the WSIX feed and still listen in Denver, Florida and New York.

8) You have written some hit songs, like Reba's "Little Rock." How old were you when you wrote your first song? Will you be doing more songwriting after you retire?

I wrote songs because I had to and still do. I was probably in my early 20s when I started. I've written hundreds and hundreds of songs. Most people think I only write lyrics. I play piano and guitar and I started music studies when I was 8 years old. I was in groups and rock bands for a long time. I've also learned so much from my fabulous daughter Autumn, who is Vice President of A&R at Capitol Nashville, in the past few years. I'm so proud of her.

Songwriting to me is part of who I am. It's punishing to be rejected and over-the-moon time when you get a song recorded. I love the community, the relationships and the friendships of songwriters more than anything.

9) You've obviously won many, many awards and accolades. Is there an award or moment that stands out to you as the most special?

I've had a lot of wonderful things given to me over the years. One of the special memories was at a Grammy Roast of me 20 years ago. My mother was there and the GM at the time whispered in her ear before I went on stage. She stood up (not knowing the meaning of what she had been told to say) and shouted into the mic, "OK BOYS. RIP HIM A NEW ONE."

10) Is there anyone that you did not get a chance to interview over the years that you would really like to talk to before you retire?

I think I've talked to everyone in the world. I've met many of my heroes over the years and not one was a disappointment. I don't want to talk to anyone but Allyson House now.

1) Here's one that we ask a lot of people and it would be fun to know from you. What was the first concert you ever attended?

In 1965 in Cincinnati there was some sort of newspaper strike. Not a lot of advertising for concerts. I found out from a friend and went to Cincinnati Gardens to see the Rolling Stones with just a few hundred fans. They tore it up like they were in front of 100,000 people.

2) What have you planned to do the first morning that you don't have to get up and go on the air?

I will be in New York with my baby.

3) Can I have your alarm clock to auction off for charity?

No. I plan to throw it out of the plane on the way to New York.