How to be a WFMU DJ

Here's an interesting piece of WFMU history: In 1985 when I became Station Manager of WFMU, one of the new DJs I gave a slot to was Neal Adams, who had a background as a commercial rock DJ. Unlike most WFMU DJs, Neal has one of those resonant radio voices, and his years working as a commercial jock had given him a totally different delivery than your typical FMU host. Although I liked Neal's show, there were some listeners and staffers who felt that Neal sounded too slick or commercial for WFMU. Irwin and I decided to give him an on-air training on how to sounds more like a "regular" WFMU DJ. Here is a realaudio clip (download only) of this segment from 1985 or 1986. Thanks to Lipwak for uncovering this.

Here are Neal's own recollections:

I was quite nervous about sounding "too commercial" when I first started on FMU. I had just finished working at a pretty bad commercial station in Westchester during the Phil Collins Susudio era and wondered if I now sounded like a complete outcast on FMU no matter how many Crass or Lilliput records I played.

I remember driving home from my show one day and hearing another DJ who I barely knew take a call from a weird-sounding crank, to which the DJ commented, "Well he certainly sounds like he belongs on WFMU more than that last guy!" Ouch, that hurt.

I let both Ken and Irwin know I was extremely self-consicious that my whole delivery and presentation may not fit in with the rest of the station. I truly stopped worrying after receiving the "How to Be an FMU DJ" lesson because we were all making fun of the whole notion of what's "artistic" vs. "professional" when it comes to radio, and from that point on I stopped taking it so seriously.

Comments

[listener moonshake from MN]

that was hilarious!

i am not very knowledgeable about WFMU's history. how did it turn out eventually? did neal go on to be a successful WFMU DJ or was this lesson not enough?

[Pseu Braun]

Oh, my gawd, the memories! Neal Adams is likely solely responsible for me doing radio, starting from when he was a DJ at Ramapo College's WRPR back when it was incredibly cool from 1980-1984. That's why he's mentioned on the back of my trading card from last year's marathon.
Neal should have remained on 'FMU but his playlist selection had a problems staying within the confines of proper airwave language. I've tried to follow his radio career but haven't heard him on the air in many years. He still remains one of the funniest DJs I've ever encountered. All the best Neal if you're reading this.
Thanks Lipwak for the clip--priceless!

[Lipwak]

Cool. Glad you all liked it. I thought it was priceless then too! (and now)

I guess that Westchester station was WRNW?

I have a few more "goodies" in my Yahoo briefcase at http://f1.pg.briefcase.yahoo.com/lipwak

I would also be happy to share anything else FMU-related that I have in my tape collection. There's a list up there as well. Contact me.

Cheers,

Lipwak

[Jeff T]

That was great! THANKS!

[Lipwak]

My notes indicate it was some time between 10/31/85 - 11/15/85. That's how I label my tapes.

Cheers,

Lipwak

[sighmoan]

HAHAHA!!! That's like a prescription for Joe Belock's or Terre T's shows, God love 'em.

[Terre T]

Recently, I was JUST racking my brain thinking...there was this DJ, on WFMU in the 8Ts, wot was his name?
HE was SO different from the other DJs: his presentation was totally upbeat--almost like an olde Top40 DJ. But he played punk, post-punk, weirdo pop! He sorta had the Original 'NYU New Afternoon Show' vibe of the early 8Ts where the music was all this punk/post-punk,cutting edge, sometimes 'difficult' music, but the DJ's rap was just UPBEAT and fun! I didnt hear Neal a whole lot, but I remember i thought he was fantastic! And i always wondered what became of him...
THANX 4 posting this!!

[Carolyn Crane]

I run the training programs for new and ongoing broadcasters at KVMR in Nevada City. This is a perfect addition to my training class materials! Thanks for digging it up!

CC