I was startled to learn that Jeff, a DJ with whom I'd worked at KCOU, passed away last November. Looking back, I realize that Jeff was one of the most well-rounded people I knew when it came to learning how KCOU worked. From the time he arrived at the station in early 1992, he was in the thick of it. He logged more hours on-air than almost anyone else when I was there, doing his regular shifts and subbing for other DJs. His voice was on a number of the station's promotional breakers, some of which he also wrote. Whether it was doing a jazz show or multi-format show, conducting an interview with a band, or promoting a concert, it seemed like he was playing or touting good music constantly. Thus, it didn't surprise me when he rose through the ranks to become assistant chief announcer and promotions director. I remember when he tabulated the listeners' votes in 1992 to determine the station's annual top-88-songs-of-all-time countdown. I never asked him how he tabulated the rankings or how he broke inevitable ties when two or more songs received the same number of votes. Knowing how seriously he took the task, though, I never questioned that his methodology was sound.
The capper, during my time there, was a lesson in how great things can happen when you dream big. Jeff and Mike, KCOU's general manager, convinced power pop band Big Star to reunite and headline the station's 1993 Springfest concert. Talk about powers of persuasion; not just anyone can convince a band that hasn't performed live in nearly 20 years to reform and perform.
I still listen to a song Jeff recommended to me. Antenna's "Rust" reminds listeners not to fritter away their time and to make the most of their lives. Based on what I heard and saw, Jeff followed this advice by touting too-frequently-overlooked music at KCOU and in his hometown of Boston. Here's hoping he's getting to hear and promote all the music he wants in the afterlife.
