Dear Friends,
The Banana Jack Murphy Show premiered on WKZQ, 101.7 FM on Monday, April 24, 1989. My morning radio show remained at that dial position until Monday, September 17, 2001 when I found a new home at WYAV, Wave 104.1 FM. My first couple of days at Wave 104 were rough because I had replaced a popular syndicated morning show based out of New York. (He's the guy on satellite radio now.)
Nonetheless, it was a real victory for me and local radio too. It didn't take long for the audience to accept my unique style. I believe that I bonded with my listeners at Wave. Perhaps as I had grown older, I'd grown wiser too. The elements of my show started changing. I just started doing things differently on the air and it was working. The listeners could relate to me and another important element was credibility. I always tried to be honest with my radio audience. I didn't talk just to say something and I wasn't afraid to play a little music on my show either. I just figured since I was a one-man show, the less I talked the better. For me and the listeners. It appeared to be working, but the powers that be, who shall remain nameless, had other ideas.
I would continue waking up the Grand Strand until last Tuesday, April 17, 2007. (One week shy of 18 years and it was also Tax Day, yuck!) I was informed last Monday, just one day before my final broadcast that I would be replaced by a syndicated morning show based out of Michigan. (Free Beer & Hot Wings?????) It was a day I'll never forget. For the record, and I hate to admit it, but I really did lose it at the end of the show and yes, those were real tears. It was an emotional day and I cried like a little girl. Pathetic!
Looking back on my many years as host of The Banana Jack Murphy Show, I can honestly tell you that it was an incredible ride. I was truly blessed to have remained on the air for so long. Although the announcement to pull the plug on my show came suddenly and unexpectedly, I consider myself very fortunate to have been able host my farewell broadcast last Tuesday morning. Usually, when you're handed your walking papers, there's no opportunity to say goodbye to your audience, but did I really say goodbye? Not really!
Today, a new chapter begins. I felt it only appropriate to launch this blog on what would have been the 18th anniversary of my first day on the air in Myrtle Beach.
I welcome your comments and opinions. In fact, I look forward to hearing from so many of you that weren't able to either listen in or to take part in my final broadcast......on Wave 104.1.
So, what am I going to be doing in the immediate future? What are my long-term plans? Will I return to morning radio? Hhhhmmmm....Stay Tuned!
-Banana Jack
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2 comments:
Have you kept your radio shows from years ago? My Grandparents recently told me I did the morning "Its banana Jack in the morning, tell me what time it is...." ?
Have you kept your radio shows from years ago? My Grandparents recently told me I did the morning "Its banana Jack in the morning, tell me what time it is...." ?
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