Ask anyone who knows me, and they'll tell you I'm no good with anniversaries, birthdays, and remembering special events.

         It's a condition that's only sure to get worse as my few remaining brain cells continue to deteriorate.

        So, it should come as no surprise that my Radio City anniversary almost passed me by, until a co-worker pointed it out to me while I filled in for Jim Peck Saturday morning.

        25 years.     

       Dumb luck and a keen sense of smell kept me employed--that, and a ton of talented people both on the air and off who made my job so much easier.      A great past partner like Bob Reitman.     A talented current sidekick, John Jagler.     My former producer and on-air co-hort, Gino (like Cher, he needs but only one name).     My present producer, Christopher Weber.     On-air colleagues.   The radio newsroom.     The men and women of Today's TMJ4.     Behind the scenes folks all over 720 East Capitol Drive who do tons of the work without ever getting any of the glory, from promotions to sales to building maintenance.     

        There are tons of co-workers  who came and went along the way--some who retired, others who chose new careers, a few who had their stays at Radio City terminated for reasons not  their own.         I miss them all, and remain in touch with quite a few.      As great of a place as this is, there is life outside these historic hallways.          

        I offer up a special thanks to one of the most brilliant industry people I've ever had the honor to meet: Jeffrey Rowe, aka Dallas Cole.     He was the KTI program director who took a chance and brought me over from WQFM in September of '82 to become Reitman's sidekick.   It wasn't as though Bob needed any help--but Jeff figured we'd make a decent morning team.     You'll never know how hard he worked us, the hours spent after those early shows replaying every break: coaching, nurturing and never giving up.       He always made us feel wanted, always inspired, never berated.        I can remember a few days where we would get out of his office until well after lunch, and he'd have us so jacked up we'd feel as though we could go downstairs and crack off another four fresh hours.        Jeff cared about your performance, appearance, family life, and persona ("Image", he would say, "is like glass.    Once broken, it can't be repaired.").     He was no fan of the consultants who ran roughshod over our industry in the 70's and 80's...he also had a unique take on the research that so many in our business now use as a crutch.     Jeff said, "Research should be like a lamp post--it should shed light, but you should never lean on it."     He trusted his gut with everything from the songs we played to the promotions and stunts we executed on the air.     His instincts were without fail.      And, unlike many in radio management around the country who work a job to wrap themselves in glory in hopes of landing the next big gig,  he did it all to make his people look good.     It was never about Jeff's personal glory.     It was all about the station--and us.

       Jeff worked his way up the Journal management hierarchy, moving out east to run VH-1 and, at one point, serving as David Letterman's NBC boss (Dave handing him the derisive on-air label of "programming boy."     It told me all I needed to know about Letterman--if he couldn't get along with Cole, he couldn't work with anyone).      Jeff is comfortable and happy on the West Coast these days, and for the life of me I couldn't explain to you what it is he does for a living but I'm sure that, whatever it is, he's the best in the world at it.      There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of Jeff, what he did for me, and how he changed my life 25 years ago.

        My professional life went through a hard-rudder change four months ago as I moved over to Newsradio 620 WTMJ.      I keep waiting for Gordon Hinkley, Robb Edwards or one of our other storied predecessors to be waiting one morning when Jagler and I walk into the studio to take the  job back.       I still have to pinch myself at 4:59 a.m., just before the top-of-the-hour "bong" hits the airwaves--asking myself, "What in the HELL am I doing here, doing what is easily one of the most coveted radio jobs in the country?"      I never forget for a second the incredible TMJ legacy of news and information.      I'm fortunate to work with a pro like John who was born and raised here, someone who truly appreciates what this station means to the state, the region, and the community.       And, I'm having a blast in trying to tweak the product so many have to to rely on all these years.      The TMJ audience is smart, passionate, and will always keep you honest.     I rely on them to let us know when we're not giving them what they want.      They're also eager to welcome you to the fold.

       I don't know how much longer I'll be darkening these hallways--radio is funny that way, and you can't worry about that over which you have no control.       Like any other working stiff, one does the best he/she can, and hopes it's enough to get the job done.     By my reckoning, I outstayed my welcome here by about 24 years and 11 months.      For whatever reason, they're letting me stick around.

        I hope whoever is asleep at the switch doesn't wake up for another 25 or so years...because I'm still living the dream.