BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I cut my teeth at Jacor/Clear Channel's Sarasota cluster from '97-'03, mostly as a rock jock and all-station board op. A year after Clear Channel flipped the rock FM to their "Real Radio" talk format, I offered to do a show for free to replace the night show that was pulling zeros. "Free Talk Live" was born. FTL was picked up for syndication in September 2004.

1. How did you get your start in radio- why did you choose radio? Why talk radio in particular?

As a kid, I'd always been a radio geek with interest in CB, scanners, and shortwave. My shortwave interest got me interested in pirate radio. I wanted to be a pirate, and thought learning the ropes in the business would be a good first step. I got an internship at WYNF, the 50kW rock station in Sarasota, it wasn't long before I was on-air. It also wasn't long before I fell in love with talk radio. I knew there was no future for me in reading liner cards and playing the same songs endlessly, so when the FM talk opportunity came along, I jumped on it.

2. What are you passionate about?

"Free Talk Live," and fighting for real Liberty.

3. What makes "Free Talk Live" different from other shows out there- what perspective do you bring that isn't available elsewhere?

"Free Talk Live" is bringing a principled pro-Liberty message to the US and the world. There is simply no one else doing it. The so-called "Libertarians", like Neal Boortz, aren't really Libertarians. We are. Plus, we've made a habit out of violating lots of the "Talk Radio Code". No topic is screened out. We don't pretend to be gods. We're just people and we've even been known to change our minds.

4. The TV networks are doing what the radio companies didn't and are challenging the FCC's indecency rulings. As libertarians and free speech advocates, what's your gut feeling on how this is going to end up? Will the challenge be successful in court?

I hope it's successful. Though, I don't put any faith in government to do the right thing, and I certainly can't predict what a government judge will do. That said, I wish the industry could find the courage to ignore the FCC. Don't pay the fines, and when the agents come, have them thrown off your property. Yes, I know that would open you to all kinds of competition, but that's exactly what radio needs to stay alive. The FCC is and has been strangling this business. The FCC's oodles of laws have led to stagnation, and paved the way for satellite radio. Radio is finally paying the price for allowing the FCC to "protect" it from unlicensed operators.

5. If you hadn't gone into radio, what would you be doing today?

Pure speculation, but I do like computers.

6. Who are your mentors, your inspirations, the people you've learned the most from, in radio or in life?

Bob Garrett, rock god. Bob taught me the ropes and is a good friend. He also does voice work for FTL. Bob currently does mornings at WJBX in Ft. Myers. I consider these shows inspirational: Lionel, The Love Doctors, Phil Hendrie, Harry Browne, and Dan and Scott.

7. Of what are you most proud?

I'm most proud that on "Free Talk Live" we've actually converted self-avowed socialists into Libertarians. Not only can we entertain, but we can make a difference.

8. What do you do for fun?

"Free Talk Live," of course. If it wasn't fun, I wouldn't do it.

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________.

...water. It's cheap and the best thing for you.

10. What's the best advice you ever got? The worst?

Best: "Give people what they want, and they will give you what you want."
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

Worst: The bureaucrat working the externship program in my high school tried to talk me out of doing radio. Good thing I don't have much respect for bureaucrats.

"Free Talk Live" is the first show that I have been on. It started in Sarasota , FL on Real Radio 105.9 in Nov '02, and lasted for 9 months. The station died, and we moved to 1280 AM, then 1220 AM. We were syndicated in Sept '04.

I began in radio sales after I sold a gym membership to Big Jim Davis. It was the last gym membership that I ever sold, but I found, for the first time in my life, a career that I truly loved. I sold locally for Clear Channel Sarasota for about 3 years. Then Ian Bernard, my co-host, asked me to screen calls for a new show he had put together on our Hot Talker, Real Radio 105.9. Fortuitously, there was a mic in front of the phone. I got on it and haven't stopped talking yet.

I've been a talk radio fan for years, and I love the opportunity to counterpoint the big boys on my show.

Doing "Free Talk Live," and making truckloads and truckloads of money!

"Free Talk Live" is talk radio for Generation X. Both of the hosts are Libertarians. This is a political movement that is huge with males 18-44. Many hosts claim to be Libertarians, but they are really just Republicans that want to stop the Drug War. "Free Talk Live" attracts disenchanted Republicans and Democrats who are looking for a breath of fresh air.

The FCC has turned rabid in the last few years, enboldened by the boisterous Parents Television Council waving the flag of "morality". Conversely, viewership of broadcast TV has decreased over time, making the powers of the FCC less relevant. It is difficult to predict how the pendulum will swing between these two factors, but it is hard to imagine a court doing away with the antiquated FCC.

The First Amendment was put in place to protect UNPOPULAR speach. Popular speech needs no protection.

Radio is such an important part of my life, I can hardly imagine. I had planned on moving to LA and seeing if I could get "discovered".

I have two Radio Mentors, one on the "Talent" side and one on the "Sales" side:

James K. Davis, as mentioned before; I would not have ever entered the career of my dreams if it wasn't for this legend of K-Rock. Jim made sure I had all of the tools, and understood all of the rules of Talk Radio. Whenever I needed advice, his door was always open. I feel so honored to have been able to have worked so closely with this great in the business.

Bill Weed, he taught me the right ways to get in front of clients and to make it easy for them to say "yes." While not the most empathetic teacher, this veteran of Chicago radio sales taught me how to keep coming up smiling in the rough and tumble world of radio sales. Bill is a real pro, and I am proud to have met him.

I am most proud of being named to Talkers Magazine's Top 250. I believe that this honor is what will put Free Talk Live on the map.

I have tropical fish and a '76 Cadillac Eldorado convertible, but I hardly have time for hobbies these days.

...my Treo PDA phone. I don't know how I made it before I got this thing.