Charles Finney
Part-Time/Substitute Host

Place of birth:
Louisville, KY (pronounced Lull-vull).

Why do I like WGUC?
If you love classical music as I do, this is a plum job. But just as important, these are great people to work with. Heck, even my boss is top notch.

First radio job:
When I was a wee lad, there was a radio newscast on nightly at 9:30 on a local Louisville radio station, sponsored by a local bank. It opened with the tolling of deep pitched bells. It was nightly fare in our house throughout my tender years, even into adulthood. In fact it was an institution in our town. My first night in radio was as a part-time announcer at this same station. I was shoved into the task of reporting the 9:30 news.

Favorite classical composer:
That's really impossible to say. I'd have to answer that my favorite is whatever composer’s music I happen to be listening to at a particular time. That’s not the answer you want, of course, but...

Other than classical music, what and why?
My tastes are pretty eclectic. I once argued with a college professor over this matter. He maintained that there was no way I could enjoy classical music as well as country music, jazz, or rock and roll, etc.

Activities and interests:
I putter around in dirt a lot, both in my vegetable and flower gardens and with things that grow in pots on our deck. Living in a condo, I rent a garden spot each season so I can grow tomatoes and other tasty things. I love to read, and my wife and I travel as much as we can.

What did I want to be when I grew up?
Big.

How were you introduced to classical music?
When I was in the sixth grade, my teacher suggested I might like to go to a concert being given by the Louisville Philharmonic especially for young students. With a bit of persuasion on her part, I reluctantly agreed to attend. I became hooked immediately.

Any fun anecdotes about life at 90.9?
Since most of the time I spend at WGUC is after normal business hours and on weekends, I miss most of the opportunities for interaction with others. (Could that be why I like them all so well?)

What question are you always asked when you meet listeners?
"And which one are you?" Answer: I'm the guy who fills in for the substitute announcer when he can’t make it... Some years ago, when I was a news reporter for WKRC radio, I was sometimes pressed into service to anchor Channel 12's newscasts... but only as a weekend announcer in place of the summer substitute. Everybody’s gotta start somewhere.

Describe a typical day at WGUC.
Since I'm usually there at nights and on weekends, it's usually quiet. I spend my days mostly as a freelance writer and announcer, doing "voice-overs," usually for industrial audio visual programs. And when the morning newsman at WSAI radio, (Don Herman) goes on vacation or takes a day off, I fill in for him.