Go Tigers!

I was the WRIF host for the Tigers’ post game party at Chelis’ Chili.

Here’s how the day went. I left my house for the 3pm broadcast at 1:30pm. The game was underway so traffic was not a problem but parking was a disaster. It took 20 minutes to get downtown and 45 minutes to find a parking spot somewhere between Greektown and Jefferson.
It was about a 10-minute walk, so it’s now 2:35 and I’m on the air in 25 minutes.

As I arrive at Chelis’ there are about 400 people in line to get in and security is not letting anyone pass. I flashed by WRIF badge to security and they say sorry we can’t let you in. No sweat, I’ve been through this before. I calmly explained the situation and didn’t even get a response. O.K. on to the next door. After pushing my way through the crowd for the second time, people are becoming less friendly. I reached a new security guy, and once again I was denied. I explained that time is becoming critical. This guard pointed out the Fire Marshall that was watching and said he was told that if they let one more person in they would close the place down.

Now what do I do? I call the radio station and informed everyone. I told them I’d keep trying. As I pushed my way through the crowd to a 3rd entrance. I could see the security guard arguing with 2 people on the left side of the entrance. I quickly hit the floor and crawled past everyone on the right side of the door and BAM, I’m in. 15 minutes left to go…..but where is the WRIF broadcast tent set up?

I asked 3 employees, nobody knows. Then one of our listeners stepped up and told me that we are set up outside by the beer tent. Oh no, the place is so packed that they have cut off the passageway. The people inside must stay inside, and the people outside must stay outside…..what’s a longhaired DJ to do?

I forced my way past everyone in line yet again, this time losing my patience. I got to the door and forced it open. The female security guard on the other side was not happy, but before she could react I was through and pushing the door closed, as if I was just there to help her out. After she regained control I was outside…..in the grill area…. behind a little spiked fence. I jumped the fence with 10 minutes to go.

I’m all set, ready to broadcast any moment when some very upset ladies made there way up to me and started into bitching about how rude I am and that they’ll never listen to the station again. It seems that as I forced my way by everyone I forced a couple of people to spill their beer. Now they are wet, sticky and minus their beer. So a few T-Shirts and some replacement LaBatts (from my own pocket) and it’s time to Rock and Roll!

The rest of the broadcast went very smoothly, thank you very much.

Detroit Rock City Indeed!