Our weekly question comes from WRIF listener Tim in Redford. “Who is your favorite D.J. and what do you think of Dee Snider?”
My station in Flint when I was growing up was WWCK “Flint’s Best Rock” Jeff Holbrook was probably my biggest influence, before I even dreamed of working in radio.
The first time I ever said to myself “That’s what I want to do” was while listening to an old syndicated show called Metal Shop.
Charlie Kendall was the host, and I can tell you I bought a few albums simply because of that show. I even have 2 “elements” in the Chop Shop that were directly influence by Metal Shop….first the name, the Chop Shop is more musically in depth and focuses on the guitar, so I took the word "Chop" as in if a guitarists has “good chops” and combined it with shop and there ya go. Also Metal Shop had an Yngwie Malmsteen guitar lick that sounded like a buzz saw that they used going into the breaks, so, in tribute I did the same, that’s why I use the Van Halen lick into the breaks. Here's a Metal Shop tie-in to the 2nd part of your question, Dee’s brother Mark Snider was one of the show’s producers.
As for Dee, you’ve got to love him. Sure he’s cheesy but he is just being himself and they do a great job with HOH.
Best,
Black
This week’s question is from Brett in Parkersburg, WV, who listens on Z106 “Where is the strangest place you have ever done an interview?”
98% of all the in-person interviews happen either back stage or on a tour bus.
I did interview Vernon Reid of Living Colour in a local coffee shop. We sat at a table you had to pass to get to the main counter, so we had a lot of folks stopping to stare on their way in for a cup.
Some of the other spots I’ve talked to artists include, on-stage, in their homes, Hotels and in the studio.
In 2006 I did an interview with John5 (Rob Zombie’s guitarist) on stage during sound-check. John asked everyone to chill for 10 minutes and we stood in front of his pedal board and did the interview while the rest of the band just kind of stood around and watched.
Kid Rock’s guitarist Jason Krause invited me to him home to record a Chop Shop interview and others have invited me into their hotel rooms including Steve Harris of Iron Maiden, the late Michael Hedges and Matthias Jabbs of the Scorpions.
Slash and I sat in a hotel lobby and recorded a 30 minute conversation once. The coolest moment was when a couple came by who were holding their wedding reception in the hotel, they stopped to wave at Slash, and he got up and took some photos with the happy couple in their wedding apparel. Now that would be a special wedding photo to have on the mantel.
I realize none of these places qualify as “Strange” places but the one that I remember most vividly is when I recorded Paul O’Neill in the studio in New York, during the actual recording sessions of “The Christmas Attic”. To be in the studio with one of the all-time greats and watch him work will always stay in my mind.
¶ 8:55 AM
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
TSO night
Christmas was the 26th of December this year for the SBF. That was the day of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra shows in Detroit. Sabrina’s brother (and SBF board member) Johnny, my girl friend Gina and I went to the Palace at 1:30pm. We picked up our passes and went back-stage to talk to some of my old friends including the bands manager Adam Lind, Piano player and Musical Director Bob Kinkle, Violinist Mark Wood and guitarist Chris Caffery.
I was the official WRIF M.C. of the show, so I had to make a few trips from back-stage to the WRIF booth in the Red Bull Bar to do some live radio breaks.
Just before 2 pm Johnny and I went on stage to announce the amazing generosity of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra who donated matching $10,500 checks to SBF and the Salvation Army.
After the check presentation, the 3 of us went back to Gina’s house for a few hours and then returned at 6:30pm to do it all aging for the evening show.
We went into catering and had a quick bite with my friend, guitarist Alex Skolnick, and tour Manager Ellioit Saltzman.
This time after the check presentation we stayed for the show…..and once again it was the best concert of the season.
Thanks to Paul O’Neill, Adam Lind the entire TSO family, WRIF, Live Nation and all of you for your support in keeping Sabrina’s memory alive.
¶ 9:53 PM
SBF Fundraiser
On Friday December 21st we held a Sabrina Black Foundation Fundraiser/Award ceremony at Teddy’s Times Square in Shelby Twp. On this special night we introduced Craig Popovich as our 2nd “Adopted” cancer patient, and presented him with a $10,000 check to pay his hospital bills.
Craig is a survivor of Hodgkin’s disease, the very form of cancer that Sabrina fought so courageously.
In attendance was Craig, his family, 3 of Sabrina’s brothers, Johnny, Michael, Tony and one of her sisters, Theresa, SBF board members Rebecca Thornton and Shelly Darmetko, our fist SBF patient Laura Alexiou and even Santa Clause showed up to help us raise more than $2,200.
Thans to WRIF, Miller Lite and all of you.
¶ 9:48 PM
