My Love Affair with Live Radio

Never let your message get crowded out by the static.

Visit: kmuz.org

(SALEM) - Yes, my friends, there was "life before TV". My earliest memory of radio took place when I was about three.

We were living in Brooklyn with Grandma and Grandpa Coyne while my dad was overseas in Italy. He was a soldier in WW II. My grandpa used to listen to the wartime news stooped over next to an old-fashioned boxed radio and I was a bit jealous. I was kept in my playpen and wanted out.

So I tossed a wooden block and got his attention. Soon I was comfortably seated on grandpa's lap as we listened together to those magical soundwaves. Alas, nirvana for kids!

As a child I loved to listen to the news: Names like Lowell Thomas and Edward R. Murrow were my favorites.

I's also listen to The Lone Ranger ushered in by The Willam Tell Overture and some mystery shows like The FBI in Peace and War and Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons. Radio allows you to open up the windows of imagination in a way that TV never did. I even remember listening to the radio version of Ozzie and Harriet.

Fast forward: a food friend from TM named Tim announced that Salem was starting its 1st non-commercial station. He invited us to consider joining the crew. As an ex-Toastmaster I jumped at the opportunity. The station was to be Radio KMUZ - 88.5 FM. Our broadcast tower was in Turner and the studio at 245 Division St. in Salem.

The show's name: "Aging Without Raging".

I took the 1-day dj training and decided to do a talk show. Having been taught college gerontology and operated a sr center in Jamaica, NY, I'd be comfy interviewing senior citizens. We launched the show on Sept. 10th and our first guest was George Struble, who oversees the Camarata concert series at the library. George also leads hikes for the Chemeketans, plays a viola in his church, and collects stamps. Not bad for a fellow of only 84.

Other guests followed.

We had retired pastor Paul LaRue, a peace activist who led the Japan Prayer Vigil after the 2011 tsunami. We took in Fran Lattin, an extrovert extraordinaire whose free time goes to Pentacle Theatre and the Salemtowne Players. Lynda Sloan told the audience about her life in Toastmasters. And last Monday in honor of National Poetry Month our guest was elder poet LaVerne Winegartner. She regaled us with an intimate story about how her journal of daily reflections when she became a widow led to her penchant for writing original poems. Next week we'll hear about how recycling can be a useful hobby for retired folks. Next month I expect to invite the State Senate President Peter Courtney. He'll offer an update on how our senior citizens will be affected by some of the new legislation being enacted right here in good old Salem.

Radio seems to be my secret calling. My litany of doing oral reports in school and 18 years as a lively creative Toastmaster provides the perfect training. How long will I remain doing radio? As long as the energy holds up and the station cares to keep me.

This is B. Lee Coyne signing off and wishing you a strong week ahead. Do remember this motto: Never let your message get crowded out by the static. Continue to be a live wire happily ever after.

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NOTE: Lee Coyne's show airs every Monday at Noon via Radio KMUZ-FM, 88.5. Those who cannot get that easily can also tune in by streaming the KMUZ website on the internet.

B. Lee Coyne, a NYC native, blends three careers: Journalist, Counselor, Educator. His writings have appeared in newspapers and magazines on the East and West Coasts and the Southwest. He loves the art of the interview and has covered such persons as Dr. King's 1963 "Dream" speech and Sen. William Proxmire as an advocate for the environment. A global traveler to some 30 countries aboard, he speaks Spanish semi-fluently and very rudimentary Russian, Tagalog, German, Arabic and Hebrew.

B. Lee Coyne first emerged as a Caucasian cub reporter for the Black weekly NY Voice and was assigned to cover numerous civil rights struggles. It has left its indelible mark on his mindset.

Lee's legacy here in Salem includes launching the Salem Peace Mosaic at the YMCA and doing a radio talk show for KMUZ/88.5 FM. It airs Mondays and highlights lives of proactive, productive senior citizens. He invites you to contact him at: notcoy@netzero.net.