Dave Crosser

Yep, and I wanted to tell you last week, but I was a little nervous that it might come off like an April Fool's Day joke. It's true though, my time here at 92.1 The Frog is winding to a close, and my last day will be this Friday, April 8^th.

I want to be clear, it is 100% my choice to leave. I haven't been asked to resign or forced out or anything. In fact, Robin, our traffic manager tried to bribe me to stay with a lovely chocolate cake, which I thoroughly enjoyed. At least I think the cake was chocolate. I know the frosting was. Deb, our business manager tried to bribe me to stay with a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, which I also thoroughly enjoyed. The truth is that I HAVE to leave now, or I'm going to gain 50 pounds from the bribery. Kayla, our St. Jude rep, stopped by today with a big cookie, and I mean a BIG cookie. Like the size of a pizza. I'm thinking of dragging this whole "leaving" phase out another week, because this has been good eating! I have reason to believe there is at least one more cake involved before I check out of here on Friday. I do love me some cake. Sometimes I get sidetracked by the presence of cake.

Anyway, my point here is that I am leaving the station this Friday, and I just want to say thanks. Thanks for shaking my hand during "Grand For A Hand," for coming out to have pizza and goof off during the "You Choose" giveaway events, for laughing WITH me not AT me (as far as I know) when I threw dumb things like stuffed donkeys, frog heads, and Phil Vassar off the stage at Country Concert, and most importantly, for supporting what the station has done with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital over the years. I've been involved with a lot of different projects since I got into radio back in high school, but without a doubt, getting involved with St. Jude is the single best thing I've ever done. The trips to the hospital, the conversations with the local patients and their families, the Josh Turner and Little Big Town benefit concerts, all of it completely changed my life. I owe all of that to the support of 92.1 The Frog's audience that supports St. Jude, because without that support I never would've had the opportunity to have those wonderful experiences with such wonderful people. Thank you for that.

I have had a BLAST the last few years here in Lima. I have made a lot of new friends and I'm certainly going to miss you all, but to be 100% honest, I'd rather miss all of you than continue to miss some other things. You may or may not know that my wife and I live in Findlay, and while it's not exceptionally far away, I've missed enough birthday parties, family gatherings, and other significant things that it's just time for me to get home. Plus, I have a pretty awesome wife, and I'd kinda like to spend some time with her again.

I'm leaving you in the capable hands of JP Taylor, who will officially lose "The Intern" from his name starting on Monday. I would encourage you to continue to refer to him as "The Intern" though, just because it's fun to watch him get horked about it.

Thank you so very much for the opportunity to get to know you all, and I'll certainly think of you often as I move on to... whatever it is I'm moving on to!

Dave

I think I could save the world.

I spent quite a bit of time on I-75, and I bet I see 4 or 5 of these trucks each day. To me, this is a waste. I know the whole "Cash for Clunkers" program was a real win for the new car industry, and it did definitely help some folks get into cars that are more reliable, cleaner, safer, etc. However, there are still perfectly good parts on some of these clunkers!


Several years ago, a salvage yard in Toledo would hold a sale twice a year where anyone could pay $25 and leave with any parts they could carry out. The rule was that you had to pull the parts yourself, and you had to carry whatever you pulled across a 300-foot entrance, where you could have a waiting vehicle. My brother, a few buddies, and I came up with an excellent plan to get the biggest bang for our buck. We'd carry in the toolbox that we'd all share, and the first thing we would find is a big Cadillac or Lincoln from the 80s. A couple of bolts and the hood would be free, a few swipes with a blade and the seatbelts would be loose too. A quick knot here and there, and we soon had a sleigh of sorts to tote our gear in for the rest of the day. Then, after all of us spent an afternoon grabbing seats, transmissions, wheels, gauges, or whatever else the doomed cars would give up, we'd all just take a corner and carry our hood of goodies across the exit. One year, we unbolted the bed of a pickup, filled it up with our gear, and carried it across the finish line. Our backs prohibited that the following year, I'm afraid.

Adjusting for the times, I would bet salvage yards could charge $50 per person to have an "all you can carry" event. This could even be divided up amongst congressional districts, rather than individual salvage yards. Whatever cars were turned in under the "Cash for Clunkers" program in each congressional district could be temporarily housed somewhere on government property, and car enthusiasts and backyard mechanics could pay a fee to remove the still usable parts. Think of all the cars with broken mirrors, missing windows, bald tires and smashed headlights that could be made safer and more reliable using parts from junked "clunkers." It seems to me, this would be a much more responsible use for these often late model cars. That way, every time I pass one of these trucks on the highway, I wouldn't covet the alloy wheels on the smashed cars on the trailer!

Back from vacation and feeling… like I just got back from a vacation. This was a little different vacation than I've taken recently, but still a lot of fun. My wife and I loaded the bikes on the roof rack of her VW Golf, and headed for Charleston, South Carolina. It was GREAT having the bikes because it allowed us to go a little farther than we would comfortably walk, but we didn't have to fight traffic too much. If you enjoy the south and want to hit it when the tourist crowds are a little thinner, I recommend going in October. The beaches were nearly empty most of the time, and we were able to get into some of the fun places like Paula Deen's restaurant in Savannah with no problems. Going through some of my photos, I realized a couple of things: 1) I didn't take enough photos, and 2) the ones I did take are mostly of cars. Sad. BUT, there are some COOL cars on the streets of Charleston!

It was a great trip, nice to go someplace warm when the temperature starts to dip here at home. We got to see a plantation with the "avenue of oaks" like in "Forrest Gump," saw some cool cars and had some great food. Plus I came home with a few packets of spices from the big market in downtown Savannah, so I can try to recreate some of the food. The cars, notsomuch.

I'm glad to be back though, and ready to roll into November!

It was tough losing Killian a few weeks ago, but like I said, the silver lining is that we get to give another lost dog a forever home. Say hello to Dahlia! We adopted her from a very cool organization called "Northern Lights Sled Dog Rescue" and we've been so pleased. Truly, if you're looking to add a furry friend to your household, please consider a rescue. You can start with the Humane Society of Allen County right here in Lima, and if they don't have the kind of pet you're looking for, try a search on www.petfinder.com and you'll melt with some of the stories of these animals. Dahlia was handed in to Northern Lights because the people that owned her one day decided they had too many dogs and decided to get rid of one. At least they were somewhat responsible and surrendered her to a shelter instead of what a lot of owners do, which is just let a dog off their leash and wish them luck. Thank goodness they got her to the rescue, because without that step, we certainly wouldn't have been able to add her to our family. She's still got that "puppy heart" which is fun a lot of the time, but she DID eat the station's gas card over the weekend, which means I might have some 'splainin' to do…

This is a tough one to write.

My wife will dispute the first part of this story, but I assure you it's 100% true… at least as I remember it.

A few years ago I had my eye on a 1971 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, and my wife had her eye on a Siberian Husky. We already had one husky, my boy Ykush that she got me back in college, but she believed at this time that Yksuh really needed a friend. I was NOT interested in adding another dog to the house, or to the routine. Everything would be doubled! Two dogs to feed, two dogs to clean up after, two dogs to walk! How can you walk two dogs together?! Insanity. She did catch me in a moment of weakness though, when she showed me the online profile of an amber-colored husky being housed at a rescue in Michigan. I remember saying that I thought he looked like a nice dog, and I think that's what sealed it. It turned into a "you can have the Volkswagen if we can get the dog" moment, and of course I caved. I had the Volkswagen for about 6-weeks… the husky for quite awhile longer.

We named him "Killian" because of his red/orange colored coat, and you've never met a more grateful dog. He was initially at a shelter after his previous owners unceremoniously dumped him at a dog park, and though they initially saved his life, he was scheduled to be put down in a space saving measure at the shelter. It takes two injections to euthanize a dog, the first simply puts it to sleep, the second stops the heart. He had been given the first injection, when the vet decided that she should not bear to put such a good dog down, and she called a dog rescue organization, who took him on and posted him on petfinder.com, where my wife found him. I think he knew how close he came at that point, and lived the rest of his short life sincerely happy to be alive.

A little over a year ago, Killian started having seizures every once in awhile, and we were never able to determine a cause. They were irregular enough that it didn't seem to be impacting his life too badly, and he was generally a happy, healthy dog. Then, a couple weeks ago, he had several seizures in a short period of time, and as a result suffered some brain damage that brought his story to a close.

We think he was around 3 or 4 years old when we adopted him, and we've taken some solace in knowing that we gave him 4 more good years than he would've had if that vet hadn't called the rescue early on. Still, it's hard to get used to referring to Killian in the past-tense. One Tuesday he was a happy, healthy member of the family, and by Sunday we were planting a tree in his memory in our yard.

Even Yksuh, who might be the most aloof dog in the world, has been whining a bit lately, and we think he misses his adopted brother.

If there's a silver lining to Killian's sudden departure, it is that we've now got room in our house and hearts for another rescue dog, for which the search has begun. Hopefully we'll welcome in a new member of the family soon, because now it feels strange to walk just one dog. Give your pets and extra pat today, and if you've got an extra tennis ball in your heart, toss it out for my boy Killian. He will be missed. Here's a a link to a previous post with more about my dogs. http://www.921thefrog.com/Lazy-Sunday----even-though-it-s-Monday/5747411?archive=1&pid=4797

Last time, I was telling you all about the people I meet each year at Country Concert, those characters that come out once a year and make me feel like "yes, we've definitely arrived at Country Concert" each year. Our boy Skeeter was there again, though he managed to wear a shirt to the meet & greet this time.


Fortunately, we did catch him trolling around the grounds throughout the weekend in a hat only Skeeter could pull off.

I didn't manage to catch a photo of him, but Skeeter's buddy Patrick had an entire knight in shining armor suit constructed solely out of Coors Light cases. Ahhh the memories…

Yes, each year the off the wall personalities come out of the woodwork: the lady in the "prom dress" made from Coors Light banners, the Bearded Man In Black Speedo, the Stubbly Man In Pink Speedo, Guys In Overalls With Ice Stuffed In The Front, and the thousands of "I'm Drunk" girls roaming the grounds in cutoff jeans and bikini tops.

This year however, we met up with some very special people and had an experience that I never expected at Country Concert.

Early on Saturday, the 92.1 The Frog crew was setting up our broadcast gear at the VIP SkyDeck, and while I was standing just kind of surveying the view of the nearly empty show area, I was approached by a woman asking me (like 10,000 others throughout the weekend) if I had any way to get backstage to meet Keith Urban. I'll share with you something about radio… we NEVER know if we have access to backstage. The whole process is pretty "seat of the pants" with proposals going to artists' managers, through record label reps, and a lot of times when we're told we'll have passes, they never get dropped off for us to pick up (I'm looking at you, Billy Currington's manager!) So, in this case I politely mentioned that I didn't know for sure, but you just never know.

She then told me the story of how meeting Keith Urban was her daughter's Make A Wish. Now, I've never been involved with the Make A Wish Foundation, but 92.1 The Frog does do a lot with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, so we all have a soft spot for kids, especially those with ongoing medical issues. Apparently her daughter, Alex, had submitted to the Make A Wish folks to meet Keith Urban, but she had aged out of eligibility for the program before it was able to be arranged.

Thankfully, the phone calls, emails, and back alley finagling paid off, and our backstage passes WERE dropped off for us to pick up, and when we informed Alex's mom, Peggy, that we could grant her wish, the tears came quickly and powerfully. Liz Mantel, JP The Intern, and I escorted Alex backstage. I mentioned the situation to Keith's management, and they advised us to hang out at the back of the line, and he'd spend a few extra minutes with us, which he did. I'll say this… I've been a part of a lot of meet & greets that are over seconds after they being, very "here's your handshake, here's your photo, move on please" and that's not at all the case with Keith Urban. He took the time to actually talk and listen to everyone, which was impressive, considering his stature in Country Music right now, he certainly doesn't HAVE to do the things he does, but he still does and that's what sets him apart.

When Keith asked Alex what her favorite song was, what her name was, and how to spell it, I had a feeling something special was going to happen on stage. Later, when Alex was down in the stage front seats with Liz and JP, the camera was rolling as Keith Urban dedicated "Kiss A Girl" to her. SEE THE VIDEO HERE

Every year, we look so forward to Country Concert because it's the most fun we can have in a weekend. It's a great time from a fan standpoint, and it's always a great bonding experience for those of us that are lucky enough to work at New Country 92.1 The Frog. This year will go down as by far the most meaningful, and I'm so proud that we have a couple new friends in the form of Alex Kuznicki and her mother, Patty. She spent over a year trying to make her chronically ill daughter's dream come true, and we couldn't be happier to have had a hand in making it happen.

I feel like a kid, and this time not just because I might actually be one. Remember when you were a kid and you had a birthday, and the day after you were immediately looking forward to the next one? That's how I feel about Country Concert. Last year, after we packed everything up and hit the road back to Lima, I started getting excited about this year. There are literally tens of thousands of people there, but each year I seem to run into the same 5 or 6 people, my "Country Concert Friends."

At the top of the list, there's our boy Skeeter. Now, Skeeter is a little more than just a "Country Concert Friend" because he and his buddy Patrick show up at random events each year, but Country Concert is really when he comes to life. Montgomery Gentry's song "One In Every Crowd" is absolutely about Skeeter. Last year, I took him backstage to meet Montgomery Gentry, and he was so exited he forgot his shirt. So here we are, me trying to be cap'n professional in the ironed polo shirt with the 92.1 The Frog logo, and Skeeter… shirtless, with a cooler strapped around his waist pulling his shorts down, and a backstage pass smacked gloriously on his bare shoulder. The guy couldn't have been happier.

Names escape me for a lot of our "Country Concert Friends," but I could pick them out of a crowd any day. There's the lady that yells "DAAAAAAVEEEE" over the fence during every single meet & greet because she knows I'm sitting outside the meet & greet tent on plastic chair that may or may not have the structural integrity to support me. Last year, while out in the campgrounds delivering our "Hangover Survival Kits," I heard the familiar "DAAAAAVEEE" yelp from across the way, which was doubtless welcome to the rest of the campers at 7am after a night of partying. As I maneuvered the 92.1 The Frog Jambulance around the tents, campers, and random sleeping bag wrapped bodies, she held up a shirt making some reference to "I had my ass kicked by moonshine" or something to that effect. She then gave me a bottle of what I thought was water… and turned out to be moonshine… a fact that might get me arrested for having just told you.

Then there are the people that will come up to me during our county fair tour, and shout "you don't remember me do you? I met you at Country Concert." Rule #1. Do not hold me responsible for remembering your name if I meet you at Country Concert. Most other times, I'm still dismal at remembering names. Mix in a place filled with live music, turkey legs, which by the way, I'm convinced are actually HAM, and a plenty of Crown Royal, and the chances of me remembering your name are about as good as the Cleveland Browns' chances at winning the next 34 consecutive Super Bowls.

That's not to say I don't WANT to remember your name… I'm simply not capable. But, with the kind of fun we've got planned for Country Concert 2010, there's a good chance that if you're lucky, even though I won't remember your name, you won't remember mine either, and we'll simply know eachother as "that dude from Country Concert," and I can add you to my list of "Country Concert Friends" for next year!