Introduction opens new opportunties

A short time ago while attending an editorial board meeting at the Frontiersman I met Mike Chmielewski.

Mike, a tall, lean man with grey hair and light beard of matching color, is the station manager of KVRF 89.5FM, otherwise known as Radio Free Palmer, with the cool nickname of “Big Cabbage Radio.” We were waiting along with Heather Resz (editor), Mark Kelsey (publisher) and a whole bunch of other people for the governor to arrive. It was, frankly, crowed in the tiny lobby of the Frontiersman.

Mike was across from me talking to Charles Hayes, a fellow writer who contributes to the Valley Voices Sunday column. He came over and handed me his card just as the governor arrived in the parking lot. With a slow, mellow voice he said, “Hi Dan. I have been reading your articles for some time now. I like them and I would like to interview you on my station Radio Free Palmer.”

I looked down at the card in my hand and then back up to Mike just as the governor walked in the door. “Do the words ‘hell yes’ ring a bell?” was my reply.

He chuckled at that. “We’ll talk later.” Then the hand shaking and intros to the governor took precedence.

About two hours later it was over. It went well. Although I was struck by the governor’s lack of knowledge of the M/V Susitna saga, which has been an issue here for quite awhile. Mike told me the details. Come down to the station about 8 a.m., Monday for the interview was what it boiled down to. As I was going out the door I said to the Frontiersman staff in a cheesy voice, “I’m going to be on the radio!” That crack made everyone laugh.

Well, I couldn’t wait for Monday to arrive. The weekend seemed to go ever so slow. I listened to the programming the station was producing. Until that time I never listened to it prior to meeting Mike. From talk shows to a wide variety of music, from classical and jazz to blue grass and everything in between. All in all, a pretty mellow, yet a community-involved, radio station. Very much like NPR, which I have been listening to for the last few weeks.

Time marched onward and Monday the 29th of January arrived. It was cold and very dark at 06:00 for my wake-up call. I was more than a little nervous. Soon I was on my way from my home in Wasilla to the station in Palmer. After getting caught in the school bus rush I found myself in the parking lot of 505 S. Alaska St. It was still dark. The restaurant Turkey Red was just getting started up for the morning rush. Everything else was dark and quiet. The station is perched on the second floor and light spilled out from the windows to the parking lot below.

For some reason I was very calm as I walked up the stairs to the station’s main office at the top of the stairs — the first on the left with the logo of Radio Free Palmer plastered on the window glass — and stepped inside. It was tiny, but commanded a stunning view of the town from three large widows. I could hear Mike on a small radio next to me on a shelf and hear him live coming from the even smaller broadcast studio.

As I took off the layers of winter clothing I snuck a peek in the open door. He waved back from behind his desk festooned with all manner of microphones and such. A few seconds later he was up and out greeting me with a firm handshake.

Next thing I know I was being seated in front of a microphone. A silver affair the size of a pop can, mounted on a mechanical arm like a desk light, a brass disk that looked more at home as a strainer that was, in fact, a spit shield. Mike then came around to sit across from me. From his position he controlled the whole thing from there. It was a space no larger than a closet. Handmade quilts lined the walls, yet it was very comfortable, cozy and warm. It was impressive despite its compact size. He ran the whole shebang with a tiny control center and a set of computer monitors.

He put on his headphones, adjusted his mic and began the interview. It went well with questions about my latest column in Sunday’s paper and some about my life in the U.S. Army to questions about women in combat. All too soon it was over. I asked if it would on his website for playback. Mike said it would be available online later in the day. We gabbed for a quick spell before parting and soon I was on my way back to Wasilla.

Later in the day I played the interview back for my family. I grinned at Mike’s introduction of me as “an independent columnist.” I liked that title. Then it was my voice on the air. Oh my God, do I really sound like that?! My voice sounded like a hyperactive squirrel on speed. I mean, well, I thought I spoke a little slower and — deeper. OK, I admit I am not James Earl Jones, but is this what I really sound like? Later I found out that a lot of people do not like the sound of their own voices on radio, speakers or other recordings. Well, it did a minor number on my ego.

But I must have done something right. You see, after emailing Mike thanking him for the interview he invited me back. As a guest host no less, on the morning show the following week, which I did this last Tuesday. That went better, by the way. I was feeling more at home and Mike was a master at getting me to talk and speak my mind on a wide range of subjects. It ended all to soon again. But I will be on this coming Tuesday as guest host. I look forward to it with anticipation.

I will keep the title of “independent columnist.” It has a nice ring to it. I just won’t listen to my voice on playback.

Wasilla resident Daniel D. Grota retired from the U.S. Army after more than 21 years of service.