NOT JUST A SPORTS ICON TO ME

You may have read in the local papers (or seen on ESPN), the passing of George Michael, a Washington DC sports icon whose "Sports Machine" was a precursor to what Sportscenter is today. He was a huge in the DC area for years but, what alot of folks may have forgotten, or did not know, for that matter, is that George Michael was one of the hottest DJ's in Philadelphia in the 60's and early 70's. And I'm sure none of you know that, had it not been for George Michael, I probably would not have taken the path in radio broadcasting that I have.
My interest in this business started at a young age (as is the case for most if us in radio). I had my own "radio station" in my room and did a "show" every day for no audience....it was just something I realy enjoyed. When I entered high school, this new radio station, WFIL, was emerging in Philadelphia (my home town) and I was attracted to one particular show that ran from 6 to 10pm every weeknight (including Sunday nights, by the way). The DJ's name was George Michael and I listened and learned. He talked about the music; the stories behind the music and he always managed to talk alot about the area high school sports scene. Being a football player, of course, that also piqued my interest. I wouldn't go a day without listening to the man.
But - it wasn't until I got into the business at a local Philly suburban station that Mr. Michael's influence really took hold for me. Truth be told, I switched to communications in my junior year of college because I had decided that I wanted to be a sports announcer. I managed to get a job at a local radio station, literally, 2 miles from my home. The station played old standards but I didn't care - my foot was in the door. It just so happened that the news director for that station also did some promotional work for WFIL on the side. He and I became fast friends and one night he took me to that radio station to see and meet the DJ who was - you guessed it - George Michael. I watched this man work. I watched the energy; the enthusiasm; the passion and I decided, at that point, that I wanted to be DJ in music radio. Sports would have to move to the sidelines, so to speak.
I, then, used the extra time I had at my radio station to go into a vacant studio and do a mock music show as often as possible using what I would hear on the George Michael show. While at this station, I, also, managed to talk the station's program director into increasing local high school sports coverage so I became the station's (self-appointed, mind you!) sports director. I would go to Friday night and Saturday afternoon games and file reports back to the station. It was at one of these games that I ran into George Michael on the sidelines and struck up a very short, but very constructive, conversation. In that short 5 minutes, Mr. Michael took the time to tell me what I would need to do to, someday, be in his position. This was a man who was considered a god by our age group at he time and he took that little bit of time to offer advice to a rookie.
I will tell you that, what you hear from me on the radio today, is a direct result of what I learned from this man - from that day on the sidelines and the many nights I listened and studied his style. If there was any one man who happened to be a direct influence on who I am in this business today, it would have to be George Michael - "King" George as we knew him.
George, you hardly knew me, if at all, but I thank you for showing me the way in this business. Thank you for being my "King" of radio.