By Frank “Smokin” Truat
On Monday, I celebrated an anniversary. On July 1st, 1994, I put WTBQ Radio back on the air after the station had gone silent for a year and a half. Yes, 30 years ago, a long time for anyone in business, let alone in the field of radio broadcasting. 1994 does not seem that long ago, and it’s hard to fathom how fast thirty years passes us by. Monday at the station was filled by an after-morning show party with many of the friends and business acquaintances we have come to know over the years. It truly was a humble experience! I began to think about how different life was 30 years ago. A few of us had computers that really couldn’t do much, and the internet had not quite caught on yet. For the gamers, the new PlayStation One was available. Bill Clinton was president, with Al Gore the Vice President. A first-class stamp was 29 cents, and we were paying about $1.09 for a gallon of gas. “Forrest Gump” was the new movie and “Friends” was in its debut year on our televisions. The music of the day had that 90’s sound. The biggest hit of the year was by Boyz To Men with “I’ll Make Love To You.” Other big artists of the year were Ace of Base, Cheryl Crow, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. I began this new adventure at 6 AM on July first of that year. The challenges were many, but with each obstacle, I found a way to move on and not only keep the station on the air but also improved listenership along with our studio equipment. After eventually doubling the power on AM 1110, next came a presence on the new internet broadcasting our signal 24 hours a day. The FM signal was added in 2008. I was excited to play a mix of music focused on the 1970’s and 1980’s with music at the time that was only 10 to 20 years old. What I’m amazed at is that the music we played back then still has a strong following by both young and old today, even though it is now 50 years old! It just proves the fact that great music will always have a following, and great music will always take us back to a place we once were, whether it’s just a year ago, or 50 years ago! 30 years is a long time. I’ve lost friends and relatives, but I’ve met so many incredible and inspiring people along the way, people out to make the world a better place by following their passion. It’s a lesson well learned. Find your passion, , and pursue it, no matter how old you are. Having that passion and desire truly takes the “work” out of “working at a job” and leaves you with satisfaction every day that you’ve made a difference, and like me, you might even find yourself looking forward to another work day!
