I recently found myself at the checkout counter at Wally's in East Ridge, standing next to Scott Chase and Jim Reynolds, who were also waiting to pay for their lunches.
A man none of us knew walked by and said, "I've got to get out of this place. There are too many egos in that room."
It was a funny, if not accurate, comment on the latest Veterans of Radio Wars annual holiday luncheon. Just the right level of snark and truth.
Barry CourterIt is not unusual for people who have worked together for many years to get together once a year or so for a luncheon or some other celebration. Several retirees from this paper do so, for example. Sometimes it's just a handful of people, and sometimes it can number into the dozens.
So, it wasn't all that unusual a few years ago when Ed Buice, Bob Boyer, Garry Mac and David Carroll met for lunch at Mom's Italian Villa and conceived the idea of a regular get-together for WGOW radio folks.
What is kind of exceptional is that the meeting took place 27 1/2 years ago, and that one meeting led to the creation of the VRW. I feel fortunate to be included in the group, but as Carroll pointed out last week, the rules have loosened to include not just on-air types, but office workers, salespeople and even the random newspaper guy who does the occasional TV or radio spot.
Many of the folks who come were at one time rivals, working at competing stations. Some had even been fired once or twice by others in the audience.
"We even opened it up to smaller markets like Dalton, Cleveland and Nashville," Carroll told the group last week.
Actually, he added, that the rest of the radio folks around the region are a bit jealous of the VRW.
"We are a wonderment to them that this many of us get together."
The first luncheon I attended four or five years ago had a packed house. Those in attendance eat, listen to a few words from Mac and Carroll and then the microphone is handed around the room as everyone catches everyone else up on their lives.
It's a fun, lighthearted event with lots of banter. But it means a great deal to everyone who attends.
» Speaking of radio folks, Jeff Styles has returned to the airwaves. He is now doing his "Fred the Show" at NoogaRadio 92.7 FM or 95.3 HD4 from 8 to 10 each weekday morning.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.