Rock on Radio celebrates 11th anniversary

Danny Coleman’s “Rock on Radio” show is celebrating its 11th anniversary.

[Editor’s Note: Regular NJArts.net contributor Danny Coleman wrote this about the 11th anniversary of his Rock on Radio show]

The following are the recollections of a fortunate man, someone who considers himself to be very lucky for reasons too numerous to mention.

Jan. 12, 2009 was a day like all the rest … until it wasn’t. You see, on that day life changed forever — a second such change within a five-year span and one that is still evolving more than a decade later.

Four herniated discs put an end to a 20-year career, launching a reinvention process and, as the metamorphosis continues from truck driver to radio personality, entertainment journalist, musician and more, the truth is, it’s really the journey and not the results that matter the most.

The year was 1978. The setting, a local church carnival. The station was WPST-FM out of Trenton (TRET-un for us locals). A 15-year-old drummer stands near a wheel of chance when he is approached by a friend and told, “Listen!” “Listen to what?” “It’s you! You’re on the radio, Listen!”

Hearing one’s music, one’s creation played over the airwaves for the first time sends chills from head to toe and creates confidence, a confidence that can re-enforce dreams and goals and unleash a passion from within. Art, no matter what the form, can reveal much about others and even more about ourselves if we are only willing to listen.

There are twists and turns along with highs and lows that form this roller coaster we call life. Sometimes there’s a need to travel through darkness in order to see the light, but without the aforementioned passion and determination to keep moving forward, we can easily get defeated when we should be more determined. What’s the key? Some say it’s “Live in the moment” and others say, “Play the hand you’re dealt.” But one thing is for sure: Every decision, every action and every day, we get to decide where our lives will go. We are responsible for ourselves, our happiness, our successes and our failures.

Several months after that day in January an ad popped up on Craigslist: “Radio show hosts and/or ideas wanted,” an ad that was like a beacon of light in this now broadcaster’s search for reinvention. The station was WIFI 1460 AM out of Burlington County. After recently switching from an all-gospel music format to free form, they were looking to add programming.

After I completed a broadcasting course at the now long defunct Allen/Singer School of Broadcasting in 1983, life, as it often does, got in the way of things. A full-time job, a serious relationship, marriage and children put dreams of rock stardom, radio and more on the back burner. But the thought of that warm summer night in ’78 never left. It hung like a dense fog, always seemingly out of reach.

Now here it was, a second chance. Would misfortune be the catalyst that awakens the passion? Next, the fog began to lift, and it garnered those same chills that led to another thought: “What if there was a way to transfer that feeling, that confidence, that passion to others by giving them a platform to showcase their talents and be heard? Should I revisit my love of radio? How do I help musicians expose their art to others so they may know the same feeling?”

The planning stages began in April 2009. And after I mustered the nerve to make the call to WIFI, a meeting was arranged. A trip to a large church compound that was set off the beaten path, where nobody would expect to find a radio station (AND most had trouble doing so), led me program director Aaron Matlock, whose demeanor and quick acceptance of the idea to bring unsigned independent artists to the station in a live format was not only refreshing but surreal. “Wow, this is really going to happen …”

“Rock on Radio” launched on April 26, 2009, occupying the 10 to 11 p.m. time slot. The first show was not without angst, due to the station not notifying the engineer and being locked, with seemingly no way to contact anyone upon arrival. The first guests had arrived: a band named W.C. Soulshine, who thankfully were very understanding and quite comical, which eased the frustrations until a janitor finally gave us access. A quick crash course on the radio console, some telephoned-in instructions and we were on the air, albeit 15 minutes late, but on the air nonetheless.

“Rock on Radio” called WIFI home for three years until the decision was made to convert the station back to gospel music, and apparently the annual “Christmas Spectacular” inadvertently ruffled some feathers. The decision was made to contact the program’s first affiliate, Hamilton Radio, an internet radio station, and see if they would be interested in taking on the program. They immediately accepted the show, allowed for its expansion to the current two-hour format, and formed a great partnership for several years, over which time the affiliations and fan base grew.

The world of internet radio was in its infancy (sadly, it still struggles mightily for legitimacy). Prejudices such as “I do real radio, I’ve no time for internet” and “So it’s not on FM?” Along with, “I thought you were on real radio, it’s only the internet?” were commonly thrown at the program, and others like it. The odd thing here is that every terrestrial radio station simulcasts online. Go figure.

Remember the passion? Get determined not defeated? This is where that came into play as the program pushed forward to 40 Foot Hole Studios, where we would broadcast festivals and even sat onstage doing live broadcasts with greats such as the late Pat DiNizio of The Smithereens.

Unfortunately, things don’t always last, and the program was forced to move to PANJ Radio in Lambertville, where it resided for a short time before parting ways. What’s that saying? “For every door that closes another opens?”

The City of Angels is a non-profit all volunteer organization whose mission is to help people who are struggling with addiction. Part of their efforts lie in their own radio station, City of Angels Recovery Radio or COA Radio for short. The station is run by a tireless worker, all-around good guy and fantastic soundman by the name of Art Ackerman. You may know him as Engineer Art. He is the captain of our ship and navigates it very well, week in and week out.

COA Radio was looking for programming to augment their schedule of recovery-themed shows, and “Rock on Radio” was looking for a new home. It was the perfect partnership. October of 2017 was the first broadcast and COA continues to be the program’s home today.

Over the years, several co-hosts have graced the show. BeeCee was the first, Terry Loda was next, followed by Christine Floyd (better known as just Floyd), the incomparable Cal Schwartz and then Maryann Castello. Even this host’s daughter, Lyssa Coleman, had a few fill-in appearances. Each and every one of them brought something new and refreshing to the program, week after week.

Keeping this host in line is Claire Henwood Gellman, better known as Producer Claire. Never has anyone sorted through the mayhem and turned it into organized chaos as well as Claire. The “10th Anniversary Bash” was her ball and she slam-dunked it; every week since her arrival, she has handled the interactive social media and our website Dannycolemansrockonradio.com to perfection. There is not enough space to list what she has brought to the program both on and off air. This radio guy considers her his right arm.

Over the years, two photographers have captured the artists and the program through their lenses. The first was Joe Powell of JC Powell Photography, whose photos adorn our Facebook pages and whose videos documented the early years of the program. The second was the late Tom Callan. Tom had a knack for taking the odd shots, ones that nobody would think of, and turning them into mini forms of art. Both made valuable contributions over the years and they have our heartfelt appreciation.

All of these efforts have combined to advance the program, which can now be found in podcast form on Anchor.fm/rockonpodcast and on Spotify under Rockonpodcast. Many thanks to David and Janet Rothstein for making this possible.

So as we enter our 11th year on April 26, 2020, I wish to thank Gary Wien of Asbury Music/The Penguin Rocks and New Jersey Stage magazine for giving me a chance. Gary publishes this piece every week, rebroadcasts the show and supports not only the program but musicians day in and day out. He deserves more accolades than this humbled man can give. Thanks Gary, you are the best.

I wish to thank all of our affiliates, past and present, for helping to bring the talented people from our studio to your devices and then, literally, all over the globe.

All the former co-hosts, friends and family, but most importantly the musicians who trust me with their craft, their reputations and their creations enough to spend two hours with me every Sunday evening: thank you. There is nothing but respect and admiration for what you do. Don’t ever give up and always stay true to yourselves and follow your passion, because when you allow yourself to follow someone else’s, it’s no longer your life.

Lastly, to you, all of the listeners … without you the program doesn’t exist. You keep me laughing, crying and striving to generate a good product, and shall I slip, you always let me know. Thank you all for tuning in and continuing to do so. I’m indebted to each and every one of you.

That’s it! There’s a small glimpse into the program that has brought me joy, frustration, passion, consistency and an overwhelming pleasure. One can only hope it has done the same for you …

Until next week … ROCK ON!