This Just In ...
Kevin Fischer is a veteran broadcaster, the recipient of over 150 major journalism awards from the Milwaukee Press Club, the Wisconsin Associated Press, the Northwest Broadcast News Association, the Wisconsin Bar Association, and others. He has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for over three decades. A longtime aide to state Senate Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature, Kevin can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, "InterCHANGE," on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10, and heard filling in on Newstalk 1130 WISN. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their lovely baby daughter, Kyla Audrey, in Franklin.
I'm thinking of an old friend today, Obie Yadgar
Some of my most cherished memories from my time in local radio were the years I worked with Obie Yadgar at WUWM Milwaukee Public Radio.
Photo: OnMilwaukee.com
I anchored the all-news morning drive and Obie would follow with his midday classical music program.
Between the end of my program and the top of the hour news that preceded Obie, he and I had about two and half minutes to promote his show. Not that it was a problem, but Obie told me that beyond the first selection, he had no idea what he had in store for the audience, that his choices just flowed and were quite spontaneous as the show progressed. So our morning “chat” as we and the audience affectionately called the segment usually featured an unrehearsed discussion about anything and everything under the sun.
Obie was not the stereotypical classical music host. He was not snobby or elitist. He didn’t use a phony or affected nose in the air delivery. And he had a great sense of humor that helped the two of us bond and develop a great on-air chemistry.
That sense of humor made for some wonderful “live” memories. Obie is short for Obelit. He more than once told me and the audience that he was “Assyrian with an emphasis on the ass.”
On another occasion, he was all giddy talking about his favorite dream where he finds himself “floating in a room full of boobs.” I don’t think I ever laughed so hard on the air. This was public radio and its classical music impresario for heaven’s sake!
I thought of Obie today and another body part when I read the birthday section on the last page of the local section of the Journal Sentinel. Famous actress Kim Novak is 78 today.
I can’t for the life of recall why Obie and I were talking about Kim Novak one morning, but in typical Obie fashion, he blurted, “She has the most gorgeous back.”
Can’t say that I disagree.
Obie, my dear friend, I sure miss those days.
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