When I got a D in biology in 10th grade at Reading High School, I knew my lifelong goal of brain surgeon was never going to happen. I fell back on my second choice...law. My mom always said I could bull crap with the best of them. Upon seeing what it cost to enroll…and the standing of them the public's eye, I used the gift of gab in radio.

I actually wanted to be a sportscaster and enrolled at Clarion University of Pa to see if they could make my dreams come true. I travelled with the football and basketball teams for two years doing play by play. I also took shifts on the two campus radio stations. Realizing that I didn't have to dress up to pursue the radio DJ thing, I went that route. Let's face it, free music, concert tickets and the girls!!

I applied everywhere my senior year…including aboard an aircraft carrier for an on air position. As it turned out, my best friend had a friend who owned a radio station in Harrisburg, so I sent a tape. I begged and pleaded for two weeks, hoping to get a reprieve from my playground leader job. They finally gave me a shot doing part time. As luck would have it, the overnight guy quit that weekend. I was offered the overnight position the following week.

The rest as they say is history. That was July 4th of 1984, and they haven't been able to get rid of me since. Some still think I have pictures of the boss in compromising positions involving a goat. Not true...it was an orangutan.

E-Mail Chris James at cjames@wtpafm.com