Listening to the lone WICN radio host early Saturday morning reminded me of when I was a WGMC radio host in Greece, New York — until Suzanne was six months old and starting to reach over the baby seat to grab the turntable.
I was never sure if anyone was out there listening, but I liked doing it anyway.
Kind of like blogging.
At 5:30 a.m., the WICN host was playing a series of mellow tunes. He seemed to be enjoying the music, which means he didn’t talk much. I appreciate that kind of host so much more than the ones who love to hear themselves talk.
WICN, “Jazz Plus, for New England,” is a rare boon to jazz lovers. Having been to the studio recently to donate school instruments, I couldn’t help thinking that the hours before dawn on a Saturday must be pretty bleak and lonely in that industrial part of Worcester.
The only thing I was able learn about the host after Googling around was that his last name is Chandler. It was nice to think of Mr. Chandler enjoying the music in that barren neighborhood before 6 a.m., and I wish I had told him that someone was listening and appreciated the way he rode the records, transitioning so smoothly.
You can listen to WICN online, here, if you don’t live near Worcester. Send the station an e-mail to tell a host you’re listening. It’s a small outfit. I’m still waiting to hear back from my own e-mail.
If you are free during a weekday, be sure to catch a live performance by Pamela Hines and Arnie Krakowsky (below) on January 29.
Update 1/27/14: WICN General Manager Gerry Weston e-mails that the early morning host was “Osay Chandler, he’s out of Pittsburgh.”
Photo: WICN
Join pianist Pamela Hines and her special guest on January 29 at 2 p.m. Arnie Krakowsky, a professional tenor saxophone jazz musician, will perform live with Hines in the WICN studio.
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
What HAVEN’T you done in your life? Now you reveal that you were once a DJ! Great to be reminded of WICN, and the fact that one can listen via the web…which I am doing now, thanks to your blog post.
Believe me, it was a very minor, unpaid gig in upstate New York, but I did enjoy it. BTW, the GM of the Worcester station liked the post.
Terry “Osei” Chandler has lived in Charleston, South Carolina, since 1977. This month (April 2019) he celebrates 40 years as a public radio host. His current programs including a syndicated jazz program called “Jazzworks” (available on WICN on Saturdays from 2:00 to 6:00 a.m. and from 11:00 p.m. Saturday until 2:00 a.m. Sunday) and Roots Musik Karamu, the longest-running roots and reggae music program on the East Coast.
Well, as I said, I really like Chandler’s style of hosting — and his selections. I’m a supporter of WICN. Another favorite host of mine is Michelle Wilson, 6-9 a.m. weekdays. She’s so much fun. (You can tell I’m an early riser.)