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Geoff's Blog

A Big Responsibility

12/8/2008 Comment on This

I have been doing my Sunday night radio show for a little over nine months, and I am starting to realize how much of a responsibility it has become. I mean this in the most positive way. Listeners are starting to depend on hearing the show each week.

With my new show starting up January 5th from 12-4 AM, I can just imagine how many people I will be able to keep company and entertain. I like the "underdog" shift. I think overnights have been a throw-away in radio far too long.

As big as Chicago is, we only have one other station with a local show. I realize that we don't have the quantity of people listening, but we do have the quality. In morning and afternoon drive, everyone is rushing to and from work, picking up the kids, making dinner, and going nuts. The overnight shift is quiet. It gives you time to LISTEN. Workers are looking for company, and I have this wonderful opportunity to be it.

I received an e-mail from a listener yesterday complimenting my direct style and wondering what he should tell his friends about wanting to sit out the holiday season. He has no family to speak of (he lost both of his parents and has no brothers or sisters) and wanted to ask me what to tell people when they invite him over.

My advice to him was to either make up a white lie, or be totally honest. If he did make up a white lie, he should stick to it. He could say, "I am going over to my neighbor's house but if something changes, you'll be the first to know."

My own explanation would be something like, "I appreciate the invitation very much, but the holiday time for me is a little bit of a bummer and I wouldn't be good company, so thanks but no thanks." Polite, simple, and direct.

To me this comes easily, but to many people it doesn't. This is the responsibility I am talking about. People look to me to help, entertain, and give my opinion. It is truly an honor and a pleasure, and I can't tell you how much I look forward to doing my new show starting in January to continue this glorious ride.

What do you think? Contact me--I like reading emails!