[Editor’s Note:] As part of National Disc Jockey Day, MVO: The Voice-Over Guys asked some of the guys to share a story or two from their radio days.
Fully 50% of the stories we got back we can’y publish because we’re not sure if the statute of limitations has expired, questions would be asked (some by spouses, some by the police) and none of the MVO guys would survive a day in the clink. We know this because some have had the brief experience (allegedly).
So after tirelessly editing, here’s this radio story from MVO: The Voice-Over Guys’ JOHNNY GEORGE.
I have mostly been behind the scenes in Production as Production Director, Imaging Director and Creative Services Director during my 42 year radio career. However, I was called to do the Morning Show to replace a strep throat infected, Tony Lamont, for 2 weeks on the main Urban station, WTLC, in Indy. Basically doing format liners, which included reading PSA’s.
I thought I had read through the copy before I was meant to do so, but obviously not. I came upon the world Apostolic while describing the name of a Black Church. I froze. I had never uttered that word before in my life and I sat there on the air trying to say it properly. But every word that came out of my nervous mouth made things worst. I said Apos-to-lithic, apos-tic-ly, uh, ummm, apostle-lickit. Everything but A-pos-tol-lic. I went on through and finished the 15 sec PSA which had now turned into about 30 secs. Felt like an eternity.
The Request Lines lit up like a Christmas tree. I answered the lines like a fool that I was. And one kind woman said, “You poor dear, it’s Apostolic. Are you ok??” Some of the other calls were like that. People obviously felt my pain. The one that didn’t was my PD, who called on the Hotline and asked me what the hell was going on? It was the longest 15 seconds of my life – and to this day, I can still feel that pain when I think about it.
At least I didn’t say Chit-ter-lings on the air as one announcer did, that I had to correct on a Kroger spot. It’s Chit-lins white boy!!! That echoed through the station that afternoon. Mercy.