More Than a Year Later, Michigan Broadcaster Is Still Living His Childhood Dream

More than a year has already gone by since I took over the morning show on Cars 108, and honestly, I still have to remind myself that this is real life.

Why Radio Captured My Imagination

When I was a kid, maybe 6... 7 years old (yes, that was intentional), I fell in love with radio. What fascinated me most wasn't just the music or the personalities. It was the theater of the mind. Unlike television or movies, radio lets every listener create their own picture.

Whenever I visit schools for career days or job fairs, I like to prove that point with a simple exercise. I ask students to picture a tree. Then I ask them to imagine a lake, a beach, or a swimming pool. Finally, I ask them to imagine a bird that fits the scene they've created.

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The answers are never the same. One second grader pictured herself relaxing beside a Florida pool with a flamingo walking near a palm tree. A third-grade boy imagined standing on Mackinac Island, looking toward the Straits of Mackinac while an owl hooted from an oak tree. That's the magic of radio. Everyone creates their own version of the story.

The Fake Radio Station That Started Everything

When I was seven years old, I invented a fake radio station called Power 103. Years later, in 1993, I created another one called Hot 93. Even after getting into radio professionally in 1994, I never stopped creating imaginary stations. In fact, I probably enjoy them now more than ever.

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I've had legendary Flint radio personalities appear on my fake stations, giving them the freedom to be themselves with absolutely no FCC rules, no censor button, and no limits. It's been one of my favorite creative outlets for decades.

The Flint Radio Voices That Inspired Me

I'm enjoying a few days off right now, but even on vacation I'm usually producing another broadcast from a fake station in a fake Florida city. If I'm not doing that, I'm listening to some of my favorite Flint broadcasters of all time, including Jeff Wade, Rod Prahin, Jim Johnson, Maggie Meadows, Brian "Fig" Figula, George McIntyre, Ricky Burns and so many more.

I simply can't get enough of great radio. Even the legendary voices of Randy Reeves and Jon Lockwood served as our station announcers over Hot 93's more than 30-year run.

Fake Radio That Actually Sounds Legit

What's funny is that some of the same companies that produced legendary jingles for Cars 108 have also created jingles for my imaginary stations, broadcasts that no one has ever heard unless I handed them a cassette, CD, or MP3.

READ MORE: Jeremy Fenech Takes Over as Morning Show Host on Flint's Cars 108

Looking back, I realize I've turned a hobby into a career, and I honestly don't feel like I've worked a day in my life... unless you count delivering newspapers for the Flint Journal or flipping burgers at McDonald's on Owen Road in Fenton.

What Does Your Time Off Look Like?

So now I'm curious about you. When you're off work, do you completely disconnect from your job? Or do you find your own fun way to keep doing what you love? I'd love to hear your answer in the comments.