The first time I was ever on professional radio was when I called in to Chris Moore's WFAN fill-in show (Moore is normally the play-by-play voice of the NHL's Florida Panthers). I spoke about the fact that not a lot of attention was being paid to more strict Major League Baseball strike zone rules being enforced as of that day.
Later that night, during Joe Benigno's overnight program, I called WFAN and made it on the air, yet again! This time I spoke about my confusion concerning a topic which afternoon talk show hosts Mike and the Mad Dog had been discussing.
My first Z-100 appearance was a simple one. I briefly introduced Madonna's "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" song on the "Interactive 9 At 9" countdown, hosted by Lukas.
Then came a classic. On a different day, I was part of a rather amusing "bit." That night, Lukas proclaimed that all "Interactive 9 At 9" participants had to explain what they would do if they won ten thousand dollars in one of the station's latest giveaways. I said I would "plaster it all over the wall in my room, and impress the women that way when they come in." Lukas coyly replied that I had better be careful or the women to which I had referred would end up stealing all of the dollar bills. "That's a good point," I said. Then, Lukas asked me to introduce "Do You Miss Me" by Jocelyn Enriquez, which I did.
I have fond memories of this appearance because not only did I sound relatively good on the radio, but off the air Lukas and his producer cheered for me and anointed me, "The Man." Do you think they liked it? Just maybe.
During a 1997 summer afternoon, I was heard on Z100, boasting to Paul "Cubby" Bryant about that Lukas bit. The Cubster toyed with me by saying that he never listens to Lukas' show.
I was also on with "Cubby" another time, when he was mocking my lack of enthusiasm.
Another classic:
I noticed that during the "9 At 9," Z100 was playing Spice Girls' "Mama" instead of "2 Become 1." I called Lukas and he playfully blamed his producer Scottie B. for handing him the wrong CD. Trying to change the subject, Lukas asked me, "Do you look like anybody famous, man?" I said, "Not really." He then inquired about my name and said I probably looked like a Bernardo. The madness concluded with him somehow segueing into the next song on the countdown, OMC's "How Bizarre," and thanking me "for being so observant." Even more interestingly, the phone call ended with my saying, "How Bizarre." Yeah, no kidding.
There was a time when I had forgotten about and missed Lukas' interview with Spice Girls. When I heard him talking about the interview on the air, I called and shared my disappointment for not having remembered to listen to the Spicey occasion. Somehow this all ended with a "I'm gay" sound effect which suggested that my orientation was something other than heterosexual. It was all in good fun though, so I have no hard feelings towards Lukas.
I also had an on-air exchange with Lukas wherein he asked me to explain how Z100's "Z Free Money Machine" contest worked. I did the best I could and he pretty much confirmed what I had said. "What do you need money for, you sound like a rich guy?" Lukas went on to ask me. I shyly responded, "Well, for bills, bills, and oh yeah, bills." Lukas shot back, "And chicks!" "Yeah, that too!" I answered.
My most of brief of radio appearances came when I called WFAN's Deb Kauffman to talk about the NBA's Chicago Bulls. She cut me off after a sentence or two. I guess I didn't sound interesting enough.
During 1997's Christmas season as I introduced a song. I read the following words on the air (Kid Kelly was host): "Hi, this is Bernardo from Inwood. Tonight's number five on the 'Interactive 9 At 9' is Adam Sandler's 'Hanukkah Song.' This is Z100." My best one yet.
Recently I appeared on Reno's overnight Z-100 show and was able to spark some debate over what recording merits becoming the best song of the summer of 1998. I asked Reno whether he thought Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris" or Brandy and Monica's "The Boy Is Mine" should be Summer Song '98. He coyly maintained his objectivity and said that he wasn't sure because "Z100 plays so many 'bangin'' songs." He then welcomed listeners to call in and say what they thought. As my apparent radio luck would have it, for the next hour and a half or so people phoned in and the following night I heard Reno mentioning that "Iris" had won by two votes!
Most recently, I introduced a song on Z100's "Interactive 9 At 9," with jock Billie Hammond filling in for Kid Kelly. Here's exactly what I said on the air: "Tonight at number seven on the 'Interactive 9 At 9' is Celine Dion who so far has the two top-selling albums of 1998 with the soundtrack to 'Titanic' and her album, 'Let's Talk About Love.' Here's 'To Love You More' on Z100."
Appeared on Z-100's "New York Live At Midnight," hosted by Human Numan who was filling in Billie Hammond. I told a Bill Clinton joke (a lame one, at that!)...
Introduced Barenaked Ladies' "One Week" on Z100's "Interactive 9 At 9".
(12/22/98) Intro'd #1 song on "Interactive 9 At 9". I said, "Hi, this is Bernardo calling in from Inwood. Back at number one are the Offspring and it's off their new CD 'Americana'. Here's 'Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)' on Z100."
Note: Credit must be given to the television medium for introducing me to broadcasting "visitation". Before I could even muster enough courage to call up WFAN or Z100, I was constantly calling in to various public access TV shows in the New York City area.