Man Made Radio
In 1987 I joined a small group of men who produced a weekly half-hour show called Man Made Radio. It was a program “by and about men, and the issues that touch our lives.” It was broadcast on KFAI, a small community radio station in Minneapolis. We would get together for a monthly planning meeting and potluck dinner (in which chips and salsa always played a prominent role.)
Other members of the group included Jeff Saslow, David West, Jimmy Young, Dan Weiss, Michael O’Sullivan, Mark Fellows, Ben Stiegler, Randy Genrich, Andre Heuer, David Kadlec, and Will Pipkin. There was some turnover in the group, and there might be other members that I’ve forgotten or that left the group before I joined.
During the four years or so I was involved, I produced or co-produced a number of shows. Some shows were done live, others were taped in advance. I taped a few off the air. Below, you can listen to some of the programs I participated in.
“Music and Poetry” – co-produced with Jeff Saslow.
“Men Sing” – I interview Michael Robins, producing director of Illusion Theater, about Illusion’s musical production titled “Men Sing.” Aired August 24, 1988.
“Dark Music & Poetry” – co-produced with Jeff Saslow. Aired November 9, 1988.
“Winter Solstice” – Jeff Saslow and I interview Steven Posch about ancient and modern traditions around the darkest time of the year. Aired December 21, 1988.
“Expectant Fathers” – Produced by David West, at a time when I and two other members of the MMR group were anticipating becoming fathers for the first time: Aired January 3, 1990.
“Becoming Fathers” – Followup to the “Expectant Fathers” show, after the same three members had actually become fathers. Aired October 17, 1990.
“A Relative Stranger” – I read a short story by Charles Baxter about a man, adopted as a child, who unexpectedly gets a call from a man claiming to be his brother.
Brings back a lot of memories. This was good radio. I just listened to Expectant Fathers which aired long before I went through it myself. I miss you guys. This was cool.
I have many fond, and a few terrifying memories of the early days of MMR. The first show went live as the civil defense siren test was sounding.