Monday, January 22, 2007

On The Radio Last Night

After I got home last night after the football was over, I went to my computer to check email. I put the radio on, and I realized it was close to midnight. I put on WPLJ radio here in New York and The Bill Ayres Show, which runs from midnight until 2 AM every Sunday night/Monday morning. Bill is an institution on New York radio, and he's been doing a radio show on WPLJ since 1973. His shows range on numerous topics, generally along the lines of helping people. Bill has also been the executive director of World Hunger Year, which was founded by the late Harry Chapin many years ago.

His topic last night really hit home. "Coping With The Loss of a Friend." Bill generally chats about about his weekly topic for a few minutes and opens up the phone lines for people to call in. Right after I heard the topic, I picked up the phone and called the station.

I was the third caller on, at about 12:25 AM. I was on for about five minutes, and I began by talking about the friends I lost many years ago, from things like suicide and drug abuse. But then I talked about the loss of my friend Joyce in the WTC. I talked about needing to find a way to express my grief, and how I turned to writing. Bill agreed with me that it was a great gift that was given to me, and how something positive could come out of something so horrible and tragic.

I also talked about those special friends who came into my life after her death, and how that was another incredible gift. Bill also shared a couple of his personal stories like mine, such as how he coped with the death of his good friend Harry Chapin, and how he got to know the sister of a friend of his who was murdered many years ago. At the end he thanked me for calling in and sharing my "wonderful story."

I spoke to Bill on his show some time ago, and it was a pleasure to be on his show again. He has a very calm voice and equally calm demeanor, which is rare on the radio these days. His show is always worth checking out, especially if you are up late on Sunday night.

5 comments:

Peter N said...

Fascinating post. I saw Harry Chapin on the night of his death, or one day before it, at the Hartford Civic Center. And after the show he was having a good time (I will say no more!) with a few of us backstage. Yeah, yeah, I know the promoter. But the accident he perished in was on his trip from Hartford. I am so sure. Tragic......and he put on a great show and will be missed. His music lives. FOREVER. Thanks for your good wishes. You are truly a friend.

BklynSoxFan said...

Peter: I believe Harry was actually on his way from his Long Island home to Manhattan when he had his tragic car accident. I could be wrong about that, but that's what I remember. Whatever, he was a great man who went to the same high school I did (Brooklyn Tech). "Taxi" will always be my favorite Harry Chapin song.

Thank you for being a kind and considerate friend, Peter.

Christine E. said...

My Dad was a HUGE Harry Chapin fan, so I grew up with it. The location where "30,000 lbs of bananas" happened less than 5 miles from where I grew up, in Scranton, Pennsylvania--and it's still one of my favorite songs...:-) Harry...it sucks....

It is so touching to hear how you continue to honor your friend and her memory--you are one in a million--truly...:-)

Be well...

Peter N said...

And I agree...I always have!!!!

BklynSoxFan said...

Thank you so much for the very kind words, Christine. I was very touched by them...