My first job in broadcasting was at age 15. It was part-time weekends at WVVX-FM in
Highland Park, Illinois just outside Chicago.
I wrote a letter to the General Manager and said I would do anything for
a job (It was really several letters and many, many phone calls!) The GM was Bill Paar, one of the nicest guys
you’ll ever want to meet. I learned much
from my days there and those stories will fill future blogs.
Three years later I landed a full-time job at WIVS-AM in
Crystal Lake, Illinois again outside Chicago (I now work at WIS…wow) the owner
of WIVS was Mal Bellairs. Mal was a huge
radio personality in Chicago for 50 + years.
His voice and image could be heard and seen everywhere. I ran the control board, read news and
weather, handled production and babysat the FM sister station.
The next shift after mine was the Mal Bellairs talk
show…sure enough Mal was early and came in the studio the moment I turned the
mic on. I was so nervous I’m sure I said
the wrong call letters and forgot my name.
I apologized and thought my first day would be my last. Mal laughed and told me the story about his
first day on air…it made me feel so much better. That was Mal Bellairs. I was working with a giant in broadcasting
that made me feel it was more an honor for him to be working with me! That’s the way he treated everyone and that’s
why people loved him.
When I came to Columbia, South Carolina (nearly 20 years
ago!) I heard about someone called Joe Pinner.
The stories about Joe reminded me of Mal Bellairs. Sure enough Joe and Mal are cut from the same
cloth. Joe made me feel like a long lost
friend. I would watch Joe talk to everyone at an event or function as if they
were part of his family. Truth is, they
are. Everyone loves Joe as they loved
Mal. Joe taught me many things I needed
to know about Columbia and on my TV debut he called during a commercial break
to say “young man your tie is showing
under the bottom of your coat…fix it!” He wanted me to be at my best.
Joe Pinner celebrates his 50th anniversary this
year at WIS-TV. How does someone have an
impact on the lives of so many for so long?
Simple. It’s not about self. It’s
about others. Showing a deep, truthful
and meaningful commitment to helping others achieve great things. Joe Pinner and Mal Bellairs became household
names with a smile and what can I do for you spirit.
What can you do to help someone you know achieve greatness?
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