97X - Rumblings from the Big Bush

Mighty Joe Sampson: The student has become the teacher

Joe Sampson joined 97X as a Miami University student intern (a.k.a. "Breakfast Club co-producer") in 1993 and stuck around as a weekender after he graduated before moving on to short stint as a writer for CityBeat, and a 12-year career as a news producer at Channel 19 and later Channel 9 in Cincinnati. He now has come full circle as a Miami U. professor. We chat with "Mighty Joe" about his late nights with "Mama Jazz", 97X softball teams, and his undying love for both Steve Baker and another 97X student intern.

Kathie Lucas: Director of First (and Lasting) Impressions

Kathie Lucas worked at 97X for a decade, yet was never live on the air. Instead she handled a number of crucial behind-the-scenes roles from 1994-2004... "Director of First Impressions," Traffic Director (i.e. scheduling the commercials), Promotions Director... she even raised her daughter at the station! Dave and Damian chat with Kathie about her many roles (including a starring role in a commercial), her Harlequin romance moment, the infamous "butt coolers" at Lollapalooza, and her amazing warehouse stash of 97X promo items.

Tim Hiatt: The Kid Stays in the Picture(s)

A self-proclaimed "bit player" at 97X in the late 80s, Timothy Hiatt joined the station fresh out of high school, stayed for only a year, and has gone on to a great career as a world-renowned photographer based in Chicago. Tim talks to Dave and Damian about how 97X still influences his life, his gigs as a music photographer, and how he came full circle with Bob Mould.

Bryan Jay Miller - Digital Dude

Bryan Jay Miller joined 97X as a Breakfast Club student intern in the mid-90s, and stuck around after graduating from Miami U., working in sales, promotions and eventually managing the station's digital presence (website and stream) and serving as the station's general manager when it went online-only. Brian talks to Dave and Damian about his many roles, testifying before Congress, and living on a boat. We also try to figure out where all the music (CDs, LPs, etc.) that woxy.com owned wound up.

Matt Harris: He (hearts) Radio

Matt Harris was already a radio veteran when he joined 97X in 1984, having worked in college radio at Ohio U. and the local rock station in Athens, Ohio. He spent a few years at WOXY, doing overnights briefly and then serving as Program Director for a long stint. Matt shares his favorite memories from his 97X days and updates Dave and Damian on his many roles in the radio game.

Daniel Jones: Dedicated Listener

Daniel Jones was a Cleveland kid attending Miami University when 97X came to life back in 1983, and he was instantly hooked. He tuned in until he graduated and move to New York; his listening got a second wind many years later when 97X started streaming in the internet. Dave and Damian chat with Daniel about the bands he discovered via 97X, his own on-campus radio show ("Off the Wall But On The Air") and his life after college.
[We originally planned to edit our phone call with Dan but the conversation was flowing so nicely that it made sense to air the full "Double Bela" phone call.]

Rowdy Rob Ervin: Radio Raconteur

Rob Ervin (also known as "Rowdy Rob" when he hosted Gridloxx) worked as a part-timer at 97X in the 90s. He also co-hosted the Chris & Rob Late Night Talk Show on WAIF-FM and later was part of the writing staff and cast of characters for the Gary Burbank Show on WLW-AM. But wait, there's more... Rob led the local bands Monkey Biscuit and the High Strung Lifters. Oh, and he wrote for the Hamilton Journal-News, was a substitute teacher, and led historical tours in Cincinnati. Find out how Rob got his 97X gig via a lumberyard, why he once was suspended from the station and much more in his chat with Dave and Damian.

Holiday Greetings!

A few folks from Year One of "97X: Rumblings from the Big Bush" have a quick holiday message to share with you. Tune in next time for the Airing of Grievances.

Jetson: Still promoting great music

Ron Poore, a.k.a. "Jetson" was only at 97X for a year back in the late 80s, but he moved on to record labels, where he has continued to work tirelessly to get great music into people's ears. Currently Senior VP of Alternative & Rock Promotion for the legendary Atlantic Records, Ron chats with Dave and Damian about how promoting a band actually got him his first gig at 97X, how a trip to New York City with Rock & Roll Grocer Frank Eavey changed his career trajectory... and how his son saved his life.
Special holiday gift: check out this episode on 97Xbam.com to hear the 97X in-studio performance from the Dave Matthews Band back in 1995, a session that happened thanks to Jetson's ties to 97X.

Mark Griffin: Superfan and Mixmaster

Mark Griffin tuned in to 97X as a teenager, and "the future of rock and roll" shaped his future. As he says in a great blog post about the station: Throughout life, but perhaps most profoundly in our youth, we encounter things or people that click on a cellular level—a movie; a book; a group of friends that awakens, challenges or reflects our feelings or worldview in ways that help define our identity. For me, it was a radio station.
Dave and Damian talk with Mark about how he ruled his high school art room with an iron fist... and why that iron fist never had a digital watch on its wrist. And we learn why (and how) Mark painstakingly assembled 14 hours worth of song mixes from 97X circa 1985.