Saturday afternoons get crazy, weird, and fun when Darkside Daddy takes to the KOOP airwaves and Internet. We’ll keep his real name a secret, but you still can enjoy our conversation. We spoke on July 18.
More shows can be found on Mixcloud.Michael A. Brown: Who were some of your radio heroes and what did they do that inspired you?
Darkside Daddy: As a kid, I lived just outside Washngton, DC and the very first guys were Frank Harden and Jackson Weaver on WMAL-AM. They were the morning team and they made me laugh. Their show was a regular part of our family mornings, especially on snow days.
My next two heroes were Ed Walker and Willard Scott on WRC-AM … The Joy Boys. Everybody knows Willard Scott, not only from radio, but also for his years as an NBC weatherman and as the original Ronald McDonald. Ed Walker was amazing … he was blind, and his wife prepared his copy for him in Braille. He could do a roomful of character voices all by himself. He and Willard used to do a faux soap opera called “As the Worm Turns.” And I listened with a willing suspension of disbelief because those guys made such good comedy. That’s the kind of radio I wanted to do.
Another radio fave was Johnny Holliday, who originally hosted a rock ‘n’ roll show and later became a sports announcer for the Washington Nationals and the University of Maryland. I also liked John Lyons and Tom Gager. They woud talk naturally and play music and it was very engaging. It was like company for the afternoon.
MAB: When you were frst getting started in radio, how did you perceive … or wish … what it would be like?
DD: I envisioned doing a 4-hour air shift and after my shift I would go back to what I assumed was a huge record library and just play records and find songs for the next day. I knew nothing about play lists. I thought, “when I’m a DJ, I’ll find all these neat songs and play those for people because that’s what I want to hear.” Then reality happened.
MAB: How did you develop the Darkside Daddy character?
DD: I originally had two separate ideas for the show. One was a mod, kind of ‘60s rock show, which I occasionally do now with mod music from the UK. Second, I was listening to an album called Wavy Gravy, which was billed as “music for adult enthusiasts.” It had weird novelty songs with movie trailers in between. Before one of the songs, a DJ came on and he was rapping and rhyming with echo and reverb. He introduced a song called “The Greasy Chicken” and he had a maniacal laugh with it. And my reaction was “I want to listen to this!” That was the genesis of my show.
I chose the air name Darkside Daddy in tribute to Mad Daddy, the famous rhyming DJ from Cleveland and New York radio, I even tried to imitate his rhyming delivery, but I was awful at that. So I switched to planning little skits instead and thinking about the kinds of “characters” I wanted to invite into the cave.
MAB: When you approached KOOP with your show concept, how did they react?
DD: I think I was the first person to submit an actual audition show to the station. Other would-be programmers had provided descriptions of their intent, but I sent an actual pilot show … very basic, but a complete show. And they liked it! They approved it unanimously.
MAB: Tell us about your early Darkside Daddy episodes.
DD: On the first show, I imitated Gary Owens, the Los Angeles DJ who also did the Laugh-In TV show. But I realized right away that imitation is self-limiting because it has to be a superficial vocal delivery. So the Darkside Daddy character evolved into a more natural persona that reflects my own silliness and foibles. I now have a stable of characters who visit from time to time and offer their perspectives on the music and other such pressing issues. It could be Gregor the Beatnik Beatle Bug or Boomer the Survivalist or perhaps I can get Bella the Vampire Cat to wake up and be part of the show. Honestly, I’m never sure who might show up until near showtime
MAB: Do you plan your show themes well in advance, or do they pop up spontaneously?
DD: I have a couple themes that always are ready to go … Surfinest Saturday is one, with surf music, and most months I do a Swinginest Saturday with music from England. Aside from those, the thought and planning for the next show start the Sunday before air date.
MAB: You pre-record complex shows with music, audio effects and inserts, along with your narratives and commentary. What are the challenges in doing that and how long does it typically take?
DD: I want the shows to be exactly right. That’s why I pre-record except during the KOOP Membership Drives when I broadcast live. I often spend a lot of time just looking for an audio drop-in that is perfect between songs or to embellish a skit or narrative. Over the years, I’ve accumulated extensive sound effects and drop libraries, so that aspect has become easier than at first. And still, when I’m preparing a show about a historical event such as Juneteenth, I have to listen to a lot of content to find just the right pieces. And finding quotes that can stand on their own … they are complete unto themselves … can take a while. In short, producing the shows is part of my life routine and it takes as long as it takes.
MAB: Talk about some of your favorite show episodes.
DD: I’ve always liked the Juneteenth shows because they are different, and I feel like we’re contributing to KOOP’s presentation to the community. I’m also fond of a four-part series called Kastradazad, the Extraterrestrial Travel Agent Who Wants to Rule Planet Earth. Another favorite was where we had Mick and Mack Frantic, the two-headed mechanic.
MAB: How about a preview up upcoming Darkside Daddy shows and characters.
DD: In the coming weeks I’ve got plenty of Surf, Mod, Crazy R&B and whatever else pops in my head. As for my character friends, we’ll see who drops by. Lots of fun!
You can hear all manner of musical and comedy strangeness with Darkside Daddy every Saturday at 2pm.
Interview by Michael A. Brown