Most listeners to our station already know that one of the bosses here at work had an accident.  Steve Konrad is one of my bosses, and a guy that has given me great opportunities to grow at KSTP.  A couple of weeks after I was married in '93, I got a call from Steve, asking if I would fill-in on the morning show, as there was a change.  It's a call that any budding radio guy dreams about.  This was the call to produce a morning show in a major market.  The chance of a lifetime, hell I was only two years out of broadcast school.  Steve said that the fill-in guy was a little odd.  His name was Freddie Mertz.  He was right.  He was goofy.  I stumbled through it all, and Steve was kind enough to stick with me, and led me this way and that way, investing the time to train me as a morning show producer, just the way he wanted.  Pushing ahead in time, after Steve had left for other parts of the country, I still implemented his techniques, policies, etc.  When I trained someone new at the station, I found myself telling them what Steve had told me so long ago. 

Although almost two decades later, I am still nicknamed "The Rookie", still make mistakes, and am still learing the business.  When Steve came back to the station years ago, I was not sure what to expect.  Would he be impressed by what I have done over the years?  Would he be let down?  How would he treat me after being away for some time?  I got my answer right away.  He picked up right where he left off.  Teaching me again that radio is always changing, this age of electronics, media, and competition.  I was told that personalities can keep people tuned in, as long as they are real, and not faking it.  Listeners can see right through "B as in B, and S as in S".  His encouragement was to keep doing and learning.  He said someday that I'll have to take a big step down the road, and he will be there to help me through it.  I believe him.  I know that he's in rough shape, but I am also certain that with enough prayer, he will be there for his immediate family, and his radio family, including a one time young newlywed that he gave the chance of a lifetime.

 

Thanks Steve, when you wake up, look at your friends and family gathered at your side, and tell them......"The Rookie Sent Me".  Good luck, we miss you here.

 

Rook