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10 Questions with ... Dave “Kane-O” Kane
March 2, 2021
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. Sadly, when there’s a death of a musician, especially one that’s been integral to the rock format, (and they’re increasing) I have become the de facto ‘Rock & Roll Eulogist,’ providing info and usually a few hours of the artist’s work. The death of Tom Petty, and more recently, those of Neal Peart and Eddie Van Halen warranted five, six hours of their music.
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1. What led you to a career in radio?
An inspirational/motivational lecture from the instructor in my ‘Intro to Broadcasting’ course in college, who encouraged those interested to get involved at the campus radio station. So, I did, and that’s where I got the ‘bug.’
2. Can you give us the highlights of your radio career BEFORE you joined WCMF?
Having worked at only two stations previous to WCMF, (for a grand total of 18 months), I didn’t have a chance to have any highlights! I guess that getting hired for my first radio gig was a highlight…but 40 years at WCMF is the real highlight!
3. Congrats on 40 years on WCMF. That’s quite an accomplishment. How did you get this job at the station?
Right place, right time, working ‘across the street’ at the other rock station. I was in the car on a Monday when the then midday jock on ‘CMF announced his departure. I immediately got in touch with the program director, Trip Reeb. We met up two days later, I got hired two days after that, and started the following Monday.
4. Shortly after starting in middays in 1981, you became APD/MD and even programmed the station from 2008-2010. How has programming the station helped your overall perspective in middays?
By the time I took the reins in 2008, I already had the benefit of 20 years of tutelage from previous program directors, so my perspective was pretty well set already--keep the audience entertained and rockin’ over the ‘bridge’ between morning and afternoon drive, play the hits, and stay connected, which had a different meaning in the time before social media.
5. Do you do any special music or content features in middays on WCMF?
For all 40 years in middays, I have featured the ‘Noon Time Work Force Blocks.’ For many years, we delivered free lunch to Rochester Rockers at area businesses who wrote/faxed/e-mailed with their choice of a feature band. Artist’s birthdays, and rock and roll history, especially album anniversaries, are acknowledged during the noon hour. And sadly, when there’s a death of a musician, especially one that’s been integral to the rock format, (and they’re increasing) I have become the de facto ‘Rock & Roll Eulogist,’ providing info and usually a few hours of the artist’s work. The death of Tom Petty, and more recently, those of Neal Peart and Eddie Van Halen warranted five, six hours of their music.
6. Now let’s talk about some of your Rock Star interviews. I know you’ve talked with most of Rock’s elite, but who and what are some of your more memorable interviews?
David Lee Roth was a lot of fun and easy to chat with the two times he called into the show…the first time during my 10th Anniversary broadcast in 1991. Tony Iommi was very gracious and articulate, and Lou Gramm (Foreigner) who is from Rochester, has been a frequent and regular guest, and there’s a great rapport there. Lou came to the studio for the 40th anniversary of the first Foreigner album, and he provided background and commentary on every song as we tracked through the album.
7. Let’s talk about the music you play on WCMF. How has the Classic Rock played on CMF changed or adjusted to the changing times over the years?
Well, we still play the artists and songs that were new when Rochester first heard them on WCMF, and we’ve certainly been witness to and sometimes participant of the different variations in the rock format over the years. Some of the music stays, and some does not. WCMF covers a good part of four decades of rock music, and the balance can be tricky. We frequently assess the ‘average year’ that the music represents, and over the last few years, it has been increasing steadily into the late 70’s and early 80’s. Even though there is still a very strong and loyal base of P1 listeners, many of them (like myself) are ‘aged-out’ in terms of how the station will cater (or not) to them in the music selection. Older Classic Rock music won’t disappear, but its footprint is steadily getting smaller. A good deal of the late 60’s and early-to-mid-70’s songs that were once exclusive to the rock format are now the foundation for Oldies, A/C, Soft Rock, Classic Hits, etc. Conversely, those who were and are fans of Hair bands, or Grunge, Rap/Rock, etc., 30 years ago are now the desirable demo, and that certainly becomes a major factor. Additionally, we’ve seen steady growth in the younger (18-34) demo, probably due to the exposure of the great, iconic classic rock songs in video games/advertising/movies etc. We have and will continue to adjust accordingly.
8. What's your take on the Classic Rock format? How is the format still able to be relevant while playing music from 40 to 50 years ago?
For one thing, I think we’d all agree that the music that many of us grew up with last century, and then played on the radio was of a whole different universe than what music in the 21st Century is like. Different? Better? Worse? It all makes for good conversation, but a hit is a hit, and there are some songs that will be around forever, and people who enjoy that music will seek it out at whatever format classification it falls under. I’m 63 and there are handfuls of classic rock songs that I never tire of and never will. There’s already plenty of listening choices, and I think the classic rock format on the radio will survive, but not sure in what form, or for how long.
9. Back in 2019, you were honored with a “Special Merit Award” during the induction of WCMF to the Rochester Music Hall of Fame. How did it feel being honored with that award?
It was about as cool, and gratifying, and head-swelling as you can imagine! At that point, I had 38 years rockin’ on WCMF, and I was happy to ride on the coattails of the radio station on it’s 50th Anniversary and induction to the Rochester Music Hall of Fame.
10. Finally… What do you do for fun away from your Rock and Work life?
I’m at that stage of life where the simple things are the most gratifying: meals, drinks, card games, laughs with good friends, hang with and go to a few shows with my son, and reveling in the fun I have with my girlfriend’s grandchildren. And, think about retirement.
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