Before Woof Boom, I worked as the Program Director and on-air for WXRX in Rockford, IL. Working at a rock station has certain party expectations, and I met and exceeded those. My on-air partner Double T (aka TT) and I often partied, so much so that the weekends became a chore. The entire staff pushed the boundaries of what was “acceptable” behavior. We made our living with Budweiser, Miller, and the various bars and nightclubs in Rockford. We are all about Beers, Bars, and Cars!
The band Jackyl was in town on a Thursday night, and the party was rolling pretty good. One of those “As long as I get (insert number) of sleep, I will be ok!”, Then it turned into, “I guess I will stay out all night!” I went home, showered, got some gas station breakfast, entered my office to prepare for our morning show, and passed out! I woke up at 7:30, heard a “best of” break on the air, and went home. Little did I know that TT was drunk and put the same break in 3 times in a row, then slurred his way through his midday voice tracks. To say the least, Mr. Chapman was NOT pleased with us. We got suspended and had to have a conversation at Noon the following Monday. He left us in the lobby for everyone to see for at least 30 minutes before calling us into his office. That was in April 2006, and he gave us the ultimatum.
On Oct 19, 2006, after a night of drinking at a promotion called “White Trash Wednesday” in a drunken mess, I wrote J an email at 3:33 am, saying that I wouldn’t make it in to do the morning show and that I needed help. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. I was given 3 options; I took one of them and have been sober ever since. It changed my life more than you can possibly know. I have spoken of J’s intervention on several occasions. The feedback I get is, “Your supervisor could NOT have done a better job!”. I am eternally grateful!
Then I got fired from Rockford in 2017. I was miserable working for the company that took over the radio stations in Rockford and knew that I wanted out. I had an opportunity in Lexington, KY, that wasn’t right, and a corporate buyout ruined my opportunity with the San Diego Padres. During that time, J had mentioned the opportunity to do something in Lafayette. My wife, who grew up outside of Rockford, had never moved. I asked if she would move to Lafayette, so we came down for a weekend. After the weekend, she reluctantly agreed. The next Friday, I was fired after 17 years at the station in Rockford. We came to Woof Boom in late August of 2017, announced the purchase agreement in October, and started working in the studio in November.
Q106-7 went on air in February 2018. I wanted to see if my idea of radio was viable in today’s world. I believe we have to be about making our community a better place. Without a doubt, it has been a struggle and rewarding at the same time. I have the opportunity to work with my brother Derrick daily, in the programming and social media side and as a client. (He runs an agency that is by far and away the biggest client the radio station has seen). It is a great joy. I am biased, but “The Jim and Derrick Story” is pretty amazing too!
I think the best part of it is the constant evolution and learning. Every day is something new.