The KDHX History Project: Michael Finney
Evocative Riffs Re: The Nightcrawler
Thanks for your interest in the old days of KDHX. I thinned it down to just The Nightcrawler, but there are SO many fascinating and fun stories from what I call the "Pirate Days." There were several clutches of folks involved in those days, and that deserves a book of its own some day!
Anyway, to the matter at hand!
I was, to my knowledge, one of the original programmers. Michael Donahoe approached me when I was playing with Rockin' Luckys. He and Brian Costello liked my wit and wide-reaching musical tastes and asked if I was flexible to a time slot. I said sure, but I think I would be best during late night.
When we went on air, I was Mr. Thursday for awhile, doing The Morning Show live from the Majestic Cafe in the CWE with my partner Teri May. Then, I went to my day job, then did The Nightcrawler that night 11 pm-2 am.
The genesis of the show... it’s almost embarrassing. I had thought about putting together something snappy to open, but I ran out of time! I ran into the studio, pulled out the Montreaux Summit 2 album, slapped a side on the turntable, hit the switch, noticed the song name, turned on the mic and said, "Good evening, friends, I am Michael Finney and I AM The Nightcrawler, here for you on YOUR radio station, KDHX." It stuck. Oh yeah, I ended up with a 22-minute theme song... pretty handy!
I was on Thursdays for a long time, the most fun was following Suzy Gray's New Orleans music show! In time, I was able to start interacting with other programmers, due to the eclectic nature of my show. Blues, jazz, reggae, world music, comedy, it was all there. I had a large record collection... until a fire in 1990. Until then, even Spike Jones would find his way into my show. Tony C. and I did a Mother's Day special several years featuring all Zappa.
I was the one who decided to test the "safe harbor" statute put forth by the FCC to set "community standards" for acceptable language. Lenny Bruce at 2 am. Oh well. It was then that I knew our pirate days were ending. Soon, I heard of folks getting grants. Then I got moved to Sunday night.
In its heyday, I had two donut shops trash talking each other.... had contests with no prizes.... did a tandem broadcast with Andre Courtois* on his cable access show in the radio studio.... weird teevee. We set up a broadcast post at 1860’s Saloon for Mardi Gras for Parade Day. I was on a float, but noticed no one was at the post, so I jumped off. Our stalwart had fallen asleep under the table! I jumped on until our dear Larry Weir got there! Pirate radio! I got the night grill man, my friend Paul, to call me every week to tell a terrible joke.
These days, the results of an injury occurred early in our history keep me pretty much home bound. Spinal arthritis. Had to retire far too soon. My wife has a brain tumor; the VA is not doing its part, so I am her caretaker. Such is life!
(* Thanks to World Wide Magazine’s FB page for the precise clip of Andre Courtois above. Here’s a link to his cable access show, Andre’s Pit.)