Good fortune has smiled at me
most of my life in radio. It was a boyhood dream and I am fortunate to have been
part of it all of my life. I have met and interviewed the famous and the
infamous. I have a studio at home with interviews of celebrities on tape that
surprises even me after all these years.
I could name a few of the people I admire and respect...Frankie Laine, Patti Page and, of course, Perry Como. When I first went to Chicago at a very young and tender age I won an audition to do a nightly show for Chesterfield cigarets. (None of us knew how harmful they were. We all smoked them. Of course the sponsor gave them to us for FREE)
My show became the top music show in the Windy City. My boss in New York, Larry Bruff, was impressed by the ratings and results of the sales. We became friends. Larry invited me to fill in for Martin Block who was the regular announcer of the Supper Club featuring Perry Como. Boy, oh, boy!! Was that dream come true. A young punk just a few years into the radio profession announcing a popular network show. Remember, there was no TV at that time so radio was the leading means of entertainment. I honestly was a bit nervous. Not announcing the program but meeting PERRY COMO. To me he was my favorite singer (sorry, Frank....you were number two). Two minutes after meeting Perry I was almost as relaxed as he was. (Well, maybe not. Nobody is that relaxed) He had a certain charm and demeanor that put you immediately at ease. At that time you had do the show twice. The network would not permit taping and replaying. Once for the east coast and three hours later for the west coast. The time between shows was utilized be listening to the first show and making notes. Next....dinner. Perry took me under his wing and said..What do you say we take our country cousin to dinner. I ll never forget it. Coincidentally, it was called the Como Inn just a block away from the NBC studios. Perry assured me he had no interest in the place except to eat. It's hard to imagine how proud I was sitting next to him and knowing I was part of his show. That was the begining. I flew into New York dozens of times to work the Como show. Later when Perry went on vacation Larry brought me to New York for the summer to emcee the Supper Club with Tex Beneke and the Glenn Miller band. During the off days Perry invited me to play golf. (He lived for golf) When he found that I never played golf in my life he insisted that I take a few lessons. I did but to no avail. Tiger Woods had no competition in me. But with Como.....Tiger, look out. He was a terrific golfer. When you consider that the Enquirer...the Globe... and all the supermarket papers are filled with negative and eye popping articles about many stars....I defy anyone to show a story about Perry Como. He kept his family and career apart and lived an exemplary lifestyle that should be a beacon for other celebrities.
I look at my record file and thank the Good
Lord that Perry will never leave us. He's in the hearts of those who knew and
loved him and his voice will always be here.