If you wake up with radio in Milwaukee, you might know WOKY. The station, now known as "The Mighty 92," is a part of Milwaukee's history, and its call letters are basically shorthand for our city's name. Its morning show is Milwaukee, too, as "Good Day Milwaukee" with Gregory Jon and Meg McKenzie provides a fun look at local events, people and news.
Recently, we talked to Greg and Meg about their show, radio in general, Christmas music and more. Enjoy this latest edition of "Milwaukee Talks."
OMC: Give us your bios in a nutshell, please.
Jon: I started in the business of radio at a community college up north, Gogebic Community College (Ironwood, Minn.). Back then it was cool to be a DJ, and the guys would tell me, if you want chicks be a radio DJ. It was fun, and next the local radio station up there hired me part time and I just worked my way up. By age 19, I was a program director on the morning show. I did that for 10 years and then I got married when I was about 28. My wife says, "One year here and then we're out of here. I don't care where we go." I said, "OK," and she got a job offer in Milwaukee and I came along.
I started knocking on doors in Milwaukee. Went to TMJ. They kind of laughed at me. They said, "You're from where, Hurley/Ironwood and you expect to ..." And then it was QFM, they laughed at me and said, "I think I'd work on that resume on that tape, because you're not going to make it in Milwaukee."
I also tried out on KLH. I did an overnight thing as an audition and that didn't go anywhere. Then somebody directed me to Clear Channel (where I met) Kerry Wolfe, who was the program director for FM-106, I interviewed with him. He directed me to Dan Willis, who is the boss at this radio station, and he goes, "Yeah, we do need somebody. Can you work Friday?" and that's how I started. So I went from a rock station, basically a top 40 rock station up north, morning show, to playing Frank Sinatra. So it was a switch. Ever since then, I've just been here.
McKenzie: I have three boys at home, and I had been in communications and writing for years at a college. I didn't like it. It was dry and boring, so someone said why don't you do some sort of journalism? I was writing for a newspaper up in Ozaukee County and I really liked doing that, so I said, well, I want to try radio. So I literally just started pecking around on the Internet to find out about openings.
Like Greg, knocked on enough doors, but nobody was really talking to me. My husband knew somebody who worked for these (Clear Channel) stations and he gave me the name Kerry Wolfe. So, I picked up the phone, left a message for Kerry Wolfe, not knowing who in the world this guy was, and I got a call back like within 24 hours. I got a call back and I got a job in promotions and did that for about six months before I begged the newsroom to take me as an intern.
At the age of 28, I went back and worked for six months with no pay with a very loving husband and three children at home and after six months and no pay, Greg wanted a new newsperson, so he gave me the job.
GJ: Yeah. It's worked out. How long has it been, four years now?
MM: Yes. Hanging around helps. Greg had two co-hosts before me and they went away and I was still here, so now Greg and I do the "Good Day Milwaukee" show.
OMC: Do you use your real names?
MM: They're our real names.
OMC: How do you guys stand out and how do you compete in a crowded morning radio world?
GJ: You've got to find your niche. Our niche is being the Milwaukee station, the heritage station, we've got a lot of history here.
This station started in 1950 and you think of all of the super jocks that have gone through here. We've talked about Bob Barry and Robert L., who went on to WGN; Bob Collins, of course he passed away a few years ago, but I mean some big names have gone through this building. That's the kind of thing that we wanted; the history.
We have flashbacks on Thursday. We spotlight local bands. This town really does have a lot of great music, not just today but even back then. There's a resurgence right now. There are bands -- these guys are in their 60s. They're coming back. They're doing concerts. We had a dance a couple of weeks ago. We had 600 people show up for this band The Skunks. They were popular in the late ‘60s. They had hits on the radio. They're back together and they're playing.
OMC: Right.
MM: And I drink a lot of beer. Plus, there are no other stations on the air right now that play ‘60s and ‘70s (music). There's no ... station.
OMC: Do you guys listen to the music that you play? What's your personal music taste?
GJ: I do. I grew up with it -- in those formative years, 8, 9 years old when my mom was listening to this stuff. I know it's a little bit of an education for Meg, but she's singing along. She likes the songs.
MM: Well, yeah, because -- obviously I'm about a decade younger than Greg -- but I grew up with my dad listening to this music incessantly and screaming it at the top of his lungs, so I know the music. Is it my taste in music? No. I like the top 40, alternative and country. I like all kinds of genres of music. Everybody likes to hear that upbeat stuff in the mornings.
OMC: What are best and worst things about the Milwaukee community?
GJ: The best things. I like the community feel. I think everybody -- it's like a small town, a big town. You know what I mean?
MM: Yes, yes.
GJ: Got the small-town feeling. You could be from Glendale and you're still like neighbors, even when I live in Oak Creek. So if you're at Summerfest or something like that and you're from Glendale it feels like you're neighbors.
MM: That is very true, though, because like I said I lived in Minneapolis and that is a big city. Very friendly people. I love the people up there, but this does feel like a small town. Everybody knows everything about Milwaukee. Everybody knows where everything is. You can get from one side of Downtown to the other in literally three minutes. You can't do that in any other city this size, so that's really nice. The negative for me, which I know is the opposite for you, is the weather! Greg loves the weather.
GJ: I love the weather. The negatives? I can't use the beach. That makes me angry, because I live in Oak Creek now at Bender Park, and it's polluted. That's the only thing that makes me angry. When we first moved out to Oak Creek, they had this beautiful park down there, Bender Park. Nice. Our kids were younger at that time and we were going to go down there. Well, I don't think we've been down there since and that's been like six years ago. It's just terrible. So that's the only thing.
OMC: What about TV? You guys have the DVR set for favorite shows?
GJ: Definitely "The Office." I like "My Name is Earl." I like "Dancing With The Stars, " (but) it's more of a family thing.
Kids even get a kick out of that and "American Idol." I'm in that mold right now. I have a 10- and a 12-year-old, so it's whatever they watch and then, of course, sports for me later on.
MM: Yeah. Mine would be "American Idol," "Dancing With The Stars," definitely "The Office." I watch that. And then that new show "Back To You" with Kelsey Grammer. OMC: I always like to ask people if you'd have a cup of coffee or a drink with anyone who would be and why?
MM: With anyone, anyone? Can it lead to something afterwards?
MM: A couple of years ago you probably would have said Bob Barry, but now you hang out with him all the time.
GJ: Yeah, it's funny. I'm glad you said that because these have been idols now for the last 10 years for these guys, like Bob Barry, but I think Larry Lujack.
MM: Really?
GJ: Yeah, because just now that I'm in this industry.
MM: Right.
GJ: And I just want to get his -- because he's been out of it for so many years -- just to get his feeling on what it's become. He really is the godfather for people of my generation in this industry, so, yeah, Larry Lujack.
MM: Well, being the resident Democrat of the building, which is not an easy thing to do, because I am ...
GJ: Especially next door (at WISN-AM). That's tough.
MM: ... part of a very small club. I think I would have a coffee with Mrs. Bush, not George.
GJ: Oooh.
MM: But Mrs. Bush, because I might lose my temper with the other Bush, but I would like to get a few messages directly to him, so I think her.
OMC: So, go through her, huh?
MM: Yes, because, you know, I mean, behind every good man is a better woman. No offense.
GJ: I'll remember that.
MM: Yeah. But I don't drink coffee anymore. I had to give it up. Greg made me quit because it gives me phlegm. I know that's too much information, but it's true. I can't drink dairy or coffee. It gives me way too much phlegm and then Greg has to hit the button all the time and mute me.
OMC: Did you have a favorite coffee stop when you were drinking?
MM: I know you're going to hate this -- being a Milwaukee East Sider -- but, I like cheap easy coffee. I'm not a fancy Starbucks kind of girl. I'm embarrassed to say this -- I love the new ice coffee at McDonald's. I know, but it's good.
OMC: What's your definition of success?
GJ: My definition of success, getting the kids through college, off and married, and retire happy. That's success for me.
MM: My husband does not believe me, but I absolutely 100 percent fully believe the definition of success is simply happiness, not money, not things, not material anything. It's just being happy. Really. Happy at what you're doing and if you're not, leave and do something else. Really.
GJ: Yeah, we are actually pretty lucky, Meg and I, because we were friends. People tune in and it's like a big party for us. Everybody knows about our lives. They know about our three kids. They know that my son played football and he busted up his knee, and boy he's been hobbling, and they'll call you up. It's actually kind of fun. So I see your point.
MM: Yeah. You've probably met a lot of radio folk and TV folk and the chemistry may be there on the air, but it's not always there behind the scenes. It's not an easy thing to do, but it helps that Greg and I are really friends and just like to hang around with each other. That makes it successful in and of its own right.
OMC: Finally, what is the proper date to start playing Christmas music on the radio?
GJ: Oh, it's Thanksgiving.
MM: Thank you.
GJ: Actually, the day after, Friday. Which we have been doing since 1992 or '93. Nov. 1 is way too early. Way too early.
OMC: Anything else you'd like to add?
GJ: We're just having fun. I mean, I love my job.
MM: Yeah. Anybody in this building would probably say they love their job because if they didn't ... (they wouldn't) get up to two or three in the morning to do it. I certainly wouldn't.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
