SUNDAY STORY

Route 66-based story (by OC,SH’s founder, inspired by his 09/2009 Route 66 road trip)

CHAPTER 64: BROADCASTING LIVE

“Hey,” the shopkeeper exclaimed, turning away from his conversation with a business visitor to look at the middle sibling, “isn’t it about time for your brother’s broadcast today?”

The middle sibling looked up from what she was doing, squinted, & said: “Yeah, I think so. I’ll pull it up online now.”

“Cool,” the shopkeeper said, then turned back to the visitor: “Her brothers are on a Route 66 road trip right now & her youngest brother, who works for WSM radio in Nashville Tennessee, is doing remote broadcasts along the way. Today, he is broadcasting from the Illinois Route 66 Hall Of Fame & Museum in Pontiac.”

“OK, I think I’ve got it,” the middle sibling announced to nobody in particular.

The room got quiet as people strained to hear.

“Hang on a sec, let me get it to come from the main speakers.” She tapped a few keys, & then….

“We are live on WSM in Pontiac Illinois today,” began the youngest sibling….

“Perfect timing,” the shopkeeper nodded in approval. The middle sibling grinned.

“…broadcasting from the vintage radio studio in the Illinois Route 66 Hall Of Fame & Museum,” the youngest sibling continued through the business’ main speakers. “&, I gotta tell you folks, if you haven’t been to this museum, get here. They have some awesome displays, including 2 of Bob Waldmire’s vehicles….”

“Mighty fine,” the shopkeeper said. “Maybe someday I’ll get there, too.”

After describing the museum a bit more, the youngest told the audience: “Finally, before we play the 1st song of the show, my brother & I are joined by our cousin & his wife, with us for the 1st portion of our drive today, from where they live in Dwight Illinois to here in Pontiac. After the broadcast, they will go back home & my brother & I will continue on to Springfield Illinois for the evening. Alright, we’ll get to more about our trip in a bit, but while this 1st song plays be sure to check out our social media with exclusive photos of our trip. Oh, & hi sis! …Now, here’s….”

The middle sibling grinned again at her younger brother’s shout out to her.

“So glad they got to see them,” she said a bit wistfully while the 1st few notes of the 1st song started to play.

“I know you wish you were with ‘em,” the shopkeeper replied. “But, you’re right where you need to be. I know it.”

The middle sibling nodded.

Meanwhile, back in Pontiac, while the 1st song played, the youngest chatted with their cousin.

“So, what do you do while the songs play?” the cousin asked the youngest.

“Well, basically get ready for the next air time between songs, get in my mind a bit about what I want to say, make sure I know what song is coming next to be able to introduce it … that sort of thing.”

“Wow,” exclaimed the cousin, “so you don’t really get to hear the songs during the broadcast.”

“Sadly, no,” the youngest confirmed. “I have so much fun choosing the songs, mostly based on my preferences, but then I rarely get to fully enjoy them as they are playing. At least I have the playlists!”

“Ha, yeah,” reacted the cousin. “Suppose you missing hearing the songs is unavoidable, really.”

“Yep,” agreed the youngest. “If I want to have a good show, it is.”

“But,” interjected the eldest, “he wouldn’t change that because he loves what he does.”

The youngest nodded while he jotted down some notes for the next segue time.

“Fascinating,” the cousin’s wife said. “So glad we came along to get to see the behind-the-scenes look!”

The youngest nodded, while preparing to go back on the air….

(I took this pic of the radio studio in the museum 06/27/2011, during my 2011 “Coast-to-Coast” road trip.)