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steve harper
steve and maria
Long Island
WBLI
interviewed by Steve Harmon
I have known
Steve a very long time, he was friends with my brother Bob, before Bob was
killed by a drunk driver. I appreciate his work, and the stuff he sent for 9-11
was incredible.
Harmon:
Single? Married?
Harper: Newly single.
Harmon: Sorry to hear that.. Kids?
Harper: I have a 6 year old daughter, Allie. She's the special girl in my life.
Harmon: First radio job?
Harper: I was 15 and the youngest doing PM drive in the country. I
got the gig at an AM, WYFA (which stood for WHERE YOUR FRIENDS ARE...no, I
didn't make that up). My mother had to drive me to the station after school
every day!
Harmon: Worst moment you can think of?
 Harper:
The early mentioned WYFA. two weeks into my first radio gig. Live remote at a
beach. Brand new expensive Marti in my hand. Standing in three feet of
water. 8 eight-year olds run and topple me into the water. But I still had
a job the next day. Actually an extra job ... the bathrooms were much cleaner.
I was named Jock and Janitor to make up the lost Marti money.
Harmon: As long as I have known you you have been in
Radio, ever work another job outside radio?
Harper: Never had one! Born a radio geek!
Harmon: Do you have a nickname?
Harper: Thruster.
Harmon: WOW! Me too!
Harper: Okay...I'm still waiting to be called that. My friends call me Harp.
Harmon: Your Bitboard reports for 911 were incredible,
where were you, how did you handle it being so close?
Harper: We had the mics on right after the first plane hit. From
that point on, we hardly shut them off for a week. I could see the smoke a
few miles from our studio. We cancelled all commercials for a week.
I feel we really connected with our audience and helped each other to cope. It
was the most rewarding part of my career.
Harmon: How long at WBLI?
Harper: Just made the 21 year mark!
Harmon: When did you team up with Maria?
Harper: 3 years ago. People listen and think we're married.
Harmon: Being so close to New York, who did you listen to
growing up for inspiration?
Harper: 77 WABC, 66 WNBC, 955 WPLJ and when I was much young, 99 X with Jay
Thomas.
Harmon: You are so successful on Long Island, would you
ever consider another market?
Harper: Heck yeah...except that I just signed a new contract. Things are
great a BLI. I've been there during the big 80's, when we trended down in
the early 90's and now we're back on top in 2001!
Harmon: Best part of your show?
Harper: We're real.
Harmon: Best Bit from Bitboard you wish you had thunk up
yourself?
Harper: WALKING NAKED. <walking a Dog named Naked> Been using it for
years. People think I made it up!
Harmon: What's wrong with Radio right now?
Harper: Talent needs to be respected.
Harmon: After 21 Years, what's still great about having a
show today?
Harper: An instant, local, loyal connection with people. 9-11.
Perfect example.
Harmon: Best radio show noBODY knows about yet?
Harper: Not sure. Gotta check old Bitboard reports! Seems each
week someBODY has a spark and owns the board.
Harmon: Continued success, and thanks for letting my
nieces and nephews call you for stupid prizes and not hanging up on them.
Harper: They are annoying, but they are your family so I let them down gently.
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