Where’s Joe?

Many listeners know I am away from the 1490 WOMI microphone from time to time on Friday mornings. Jordan Winders does a great job filling in for me but still I get emails from listeners wondering why I am away. Some of you are concerned that my health may be the cause. Others are just curious and some are glad I am gone and hope I will stay gone. The truth is I lead a double life.

In addition to morning radio, I am lucky enough to travel around the world as a live event announcer for Monster Jam. Yes, the same Monster Jam you see on Speed T.V. each afternoon.  The truth is I have been announcing these events for 25 years. I have also been lucky enough to be the voice of the Monster Wars T.V. Show that aired on E.S.P.N.  My "other career" has taken me to almost every state and to several countries. To say the least it has been a great experience.

Last week while in the dentist chair good ole Doctor Thompson asked me how I could so easily discuss so many varied and different topics intelligently on the air each morning. I replied that I was a jack of all trades and master of none.

I don't know if it was the pain-killers or just my brain reacting to his comments but I began to think about his question. Then it hit me. Thru the years, while traveling, I have met thousands of people on planes, in airports, and  hotels.  I have learned much from each of them.

I love to talk and meet new folks when I travel. It helps the time go by quickly and I discovered the people love to talk about themselves. Remember nobody is a better expert about you than YOU.

I have met Barbara Mandrell and her husband, Gina Davis, Texas John Connally (yes the one with John Kennedy), and other folks of note. Those were all very interesting and very nice pe0ple to talk with.

The ones I remember best are the ones you will never meet.  The common everyday people just like you and me. The couple returning from China with their adopted baby. I don't think I have every seen anyone who after over 20 hrs of travel were any happier than these two. During our three hour  flight and layover I learned much about adoption, the cost, the requirements and how corrupt the Chinese system of adoption was. The child was destined to a much better life in the United States with a loving caring family who wanted her. I learned a lot that day and used that information a year later when I interviewed someone about adoption.

The parents heading to a childs graduation, a doctor who took care of cancer patients, the firefighters flying out west to help fight forest fires. They all taught me something. 

I was seated in the bulkhead seat on one flight and spent time with a blind traveler who was taking his first trip alone with his seeing eye dog. Those animals are incredible and the cost of training those dogs is staggering. Another learning experience to be used on the air one day.

The insurance agent going to work the Katrina claims in Alabama told me about the damage along the Alabama/Florida coast that nobody knew about because all the attention was focused on New Orleans. That conversation made me do some research and we interviewed several folks from our area who took time off from their jobs to bring  folks food and water to the victims.

You learn a bunch if you open your ears when you travel. Its my way tfo bringing  the world of everday people to listeners in the tri-state. 

Dr. Thompson  gave me food for thought about the many ways to learn we all have in our everyday lives. For that, I thank him. As a side note, I asked a few questions and now I know a bit more about a dental office, Perhaps I will use that information some day.

Monster Jam is cool and I love it. I hope to continue to travel and do events for thousands of fans each week. I also will be keeping my ears open to learn more from my fellow travelers.