PA ~ What drew you to DJ college radio and how long have you been involved?

 

I was in my first year of college and a gal in my English class said that her boyfriend was involved in the Cleveland State Radio station.  I was not going to be outdone, so I went up there and started hanging out.  Soon they made me a station member.  That was back in December of '82.  The Fusion show began about April of '84.

 

PA ~ It seems that you are the only DJ in the Cleveland market that airs and helps promote progressive & fusion music.  How have you've seen this genre evolve over the years?

 

I don't think it has evolved any more or less than any other style of music.  I don't think the evolution has really been that great.  The technology has pushed the genre, but not as much as wealthier forms of music.  Perhaps the evolution is less because the money is not there for new technology.

 

Progressive and Fusion music has always been a little ahead of the rock genre, yet it is still nice to hear something that sounds old.  That retro thing is nice to listen to, especially when a great deal of today's new music has a newer sound.  Nothing like the good old days.

 

PA ~ Personally, what do you like listening to?

 

I listen to some unusual rock and some lighter stuff on occasion, but I usually listen to instrumental rock and fusion just about all the time.  My taste in listening is pretty much an extension of the radio show.

 

PA ~ What is your opinion of the progressive & fusion music scene in Cleveland?

 

The music scene for different forms of music in Cleveland is pretty weak.  There is not much opportunity for Progressive and Instrumental bands to play in Cleveland.  Support is not there.  Partially because venues do not advertise and get the word out about the music they are bringing in.  It is extremely expensive to tour the States, and these types of bands simply can't afford it.  Venues are not willing to give up weekends for Progressive and Instrumental bands, and week nights are usually bad drawing nights.  The economy has not helped either.

 

PA ~ The indie music scene has exploded with the advance of the Internet, what's your opinion positive or negative.

 

The internet is the greatest thing that has happened to the independent artist.  Now, independent artists can control their product, getting it to the people they want to hear it.  A major label will put out a disc.  The artist can make more money by doing it himself by selling a quarter of the discs then he can by getting paid from a major label.  Any musician knows how difficult it is to get signed to a major label.

 

PA ~ DJ's play an integral role in a bands promotion, do most bands appreciate the effort?  If not, what advice would you give bands in dealing with DJ's?

 

For the most part, bands are very appreciative.  There will always be a handful of people that don't want to be bothered with the publicity issue, but especially the less known artists appreciate the support. 

First of all, some jocks can have as big of egos as the bands themselves.  Every once in a while, the band will have to swallow their pride and deal with an out of control jock.  Remember, any publicity should pay off.  The important thing is to get your name out there.  even bad press can create a buzz.  If the press is bad, then the band can prove the press wrong.  Now that is something to think about.

 

PA ~ You have met quite of few people over the years, is there any interesting stories that would share with our readers?

 

I don't know.  Just about every interview is humorous.  Some of the wilder people have been Steve Lukather (Toto), Steve Vai, Frank Zappa, and The Oblivion Express (Brian Auger and his family, Karma and Savanah).

 

PA ~ Other than DJ'ing and writing, what area of music would you like to be involved with? 

 

I would like to learn more about Engineering.  I find that the most fascinating part of the music industry.

 

PA ~ Other than music, what do you do for fun?

 

I do some surfing of the internet, mostly looking for more music when I take a break from updating my own website, www.thefusionshow.com .  I'm also doing some home improvement projects, and like a little kid, I am into Hot Wheels.  That is something that I started with when I was quite young.  I have never really lost interest in it.