Recently, I was fortunate enough to go to Champions Radio and experience talk radio firsthand. Through the job shadowing program run by Mrs.Demchak and a connection of my Journalism teacher Ms. Phillips, I was able to learn what it takes to succeed in talk radio from Dan Canobbio, a 2005 WHB graduate.

Dan is the host of “DC and The Pearl” on Champions radio, 107.1 FM, every morning between 6-10am. Dan’s interest in Journalism started right here at WHBHS!

Going in, I was beyond excited and eager. The studio, which is located in Medford, was not a studio at all; it was a nice and roomy office space with sports memorabilia all around. I even had my own chair and little desk on the side.  I felt like a king.

I arrived at 8am and sat around patiently taking it all in, watching DC and The Pearl on air. Surprisingly enough, I wasn’t nervous at all; it was just the three of us in a quiet room just talking. It was much better than having hundreds of people watching. Both Dan and Nick are great guys and it is apparent they love what they do. It also was refreshing talking to people who share my same passion of sports and I can actually carry a conversation with them.

Just before 10am, I was beyond grateful when I got my chance to go on the air.  DC asked my baseball video game experiences in the past and asked for my NFL playoff predictions.  According to my fellow peers, I sounded great on the radio and like a professional.

Experiencing what it is like behind talk radio was a wonderful experience. To possibly be able to do something I love – talking about sports for hours – wouldn’t be work for me.  Thanks to Dan and Nick I think they furthered my goal to have a show of my own one day!

Editor’s note:  Since John’s experience at 107.1, the station had to close its doors.