*Nigerian Film Soundtrack playing in the background...*
(fade in, hold, under)
If this reads like an autobiography my apologies please, as
that’s not my intention. Well… at least, not yet. I just thought that putting
this out will help open a few minds to the miracles that abound when you believe.
My radio story began in the 80s. I knew I loved radio from a
very young age. I looked forward to new song releases and vibrant personalities
welcoming me to a new day or scolding me for a naughty thought and keeping me informed
with the latest news from the world of politics, economics and entertainment. I
looked forward to the Saturday morning chores just because the radio would be
on for many hours while my sis, my cousins and I would sashay, sweep and dust
to hits from The Temptations, Dynasty, The Jacksons, Shalamar, Cameo and many
more!
Did I know I was going to be on radio at the time? Well, no.
interestingly and I still don’t know how and where I got the idea from, I used
to say I would be a pilot. Reality set in of course when it turned out I was
terrible at math and really did not like the pressure in my ears during takeoff
and landings!
So, when did the light bulb moment occur? I sense your
impatience but I plead with you to allow me stretch this a bit.
Ok, then. Sometime in the 90s, I would wake up around six in
the morning and turn up the volume of the old Vicsonic AM/FM/MW/SW Cassette
player on my bed-side table. Yes, turn up the volume as opposed
to switching on. I usually slept with my radio on.
Anyway, this deep non regional drawl would coax me into the
day with bits of motivation and great music to go. From the issues about the economy
to well informed opinions about the polity… his wisdom was cleverly interwoven
with his wit and transcending sense of humour. Alas, I had found a mentor on
radio…
Subsequent days were spent copying, enunciating as he did. I
knew I could never develop that depth of bass in a voice but I could do the
research, find witty ways to talk about everyday things.
And this was what I wanted to do! Wake people up, play them
great music and encourage them with conversations that were actually well
crafted monologues which allowed the listener think he was actually contributing
to the gist. This was before the social media interference or intervention,
depending on how you choose to look at it.
In 2004, my chance came to make an impression on the air. I had
signed up as an intern with a state owned radio station which had well grounded
personnel but an unappealing salary structure. But I wanted to learn… I could
earn later. Frequent loafing appearances in the live studio led to dialogues
with presenters and producers and then one day, I was asked if I could handle a
little bit of entertainment gossip, put my own spin to it. I did not hesitate
to say yes.
(… To be continued)
