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10 Questions with ... Roe Conn
May 15, 2007
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NAME:Roe ConnTITLE:Afternoon HostSTATION:WLSMARKET:ChicagoCOMPANY:ABC RadioBORN:1964RAISED:Chicago
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
WLS 1989 to present; ABC Radio Networks, Host, "Primetime OJ," 1994-95; WBBM-TV, Producer, 1987-1989; WMAQ, Producer, Sidekick, 1986-1987; Various, Guest Hosting, WABC, WJR, SW Networks, Premiere Radio Networks, CNN Headline News
1. What got you into radio and why?
I grew up listening to WLS and like so many other radio guys, I started doing fake radio shows with a Zenith Allegro stereo, wire hanger and Coke can when I was nine. I was alternately Larry Lujack, Bob Sirott or Steve Dahl. I sometimes still have that moment of surreal dreamlike disembodiment in which I can't believe I'm actually doing this job.
2. About what are you most passionate these days?
The Imus story had it all: hypocrisy, vanity, and cable news hysteria. It did, however, bring into sharp focus the fact that each broadcast day may be our last.
3. As a Chicago native, you grew up able to hear a lot of radio legends, and later got to work with some (including a stint with the unique Don Vogel when he was at WMAQ). Who would you count as your radio influences?
My first really "wow" moment was hearing Steve Dahl for the first time in 1977. He was doing a solo morning show on WDAI. His use of voices and characters just blew my mind. It was the first time I realized that radio is really about the voices, not the music.
Professionally, Don Vogel was my biggest influence. Because he was blind, he was able to wrap his brain around radio, sound first. I know that's what we're supposed to do...but I think a lot of us forget that ethic. He could hear the smallest subtlety in voices which not only made him the greatest radio impressionist of all times but also allowed him to peer into a guest or caller's soul.
4. You've successfully reached a younger audience than normally listens to AM talk radio- what do you think attracts those listeners to flip over from FM to hear you- sense of humor? Personality? The MySpace page? Canarbles on Friday?
There aren't a lot of laughs on AM. Part of the trick has been to keep the show conversational. Even though we are tackling many of the same issues as traditional talk shows, we are not doing it from the old left-right perspective. Everyone on the show comes from a different angle and sometimes those angles change. It's not what they teach in talk radio school...but it's always honest and, most of the time, funny.
Ultimately, we are not on a mission from God... we're just trying to entertain some people at the end of their work day.
Oh yeah, it does help that we throw a real on-air cocktail party every Friday. And before you ask, yes we really do drink on the air. That slurring is hard to fake.
5. What have been the highest and lowest points in your career thus far?
The break-up with Garry Meier would have to constitute both the high and the low. The Roe & Garry show was a critical and ratings success. After the break-up in 2004, a lot of people questioned whether I could survive without him. When the show rebounded to the top of the ratings in 2006, that was a pretty great moment.
6. Roe Conn's coolest interview guest was... who? And who among the living is atop your interview wish list?
My favorite guest moment was making George Carlin laugh. It was like hitting a fade-away jumper over Michael Jordan.
I don't know about the interview, but I just want to party with Bill Clinton.
7. Of what are you most proud?
Professionally, it would have to be winning the Radio & Records Local Host of the Year.
8. What do you do for fun?
Long walks in the rain... oh, sorry, that's the answer to Playmate Data Sheet question #8.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________.
...waking up.
10. What's the best advice you've ever gotten? The worst?
The worst advice was "talk at the audience NOT to the audience." Nobody likes to be talked at... just ask my wife.
The best advice anyone can ever get is "never give up."
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