The O-town Scene

February 24, 2011

The O-town Scene - Oneonta, NY

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Casual Chit Chat Each week, we have a casual conversation with a member of the community. This week, Radio Host Big Chuck D’Imperio of WDOZ/WSRK and Cassandra Miller chit chat, casually. You found Aladdin’s lamp, and you can only make frivolous, completely selfish wishes; what are your three? My three wishes, in no particular order, are to do color commentary on television for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade; sing the National Anthem at a New York Yankees game; and to do a live television broadcast for the Weather Channel right in the teeth of a hurricane, yellow slicker flying in the wind while I hang onto a “Beach Closed” sign for dear life. You’ve been on the radio a long time; what’s one of the wackiest things that has happened while you were on-air? of over on air, away started.” an area I have done hundreds contests and giveaways the 22 years I have been the air at WDOS. One time, on the I said, “Gosh, I feel like I have given everything but the kitchen sink since I Within a half-hour, two guys from appliance store walked in the front door with a brand-new stainless steel sink. “NOW, you can say you’ve given it away,” they said. Believe me, that was one lucky listener that day. Do you have any special lady fans? All lady listeners are special to “Big Chuck.” In fact, I spe- cialize in them. You’re very connected to the area’s history, and have written and spoken about it extensively; what’s an area story that’s intriguing you right now? Although I never get tired of the Eva Coo murder case, I am really intrigued with World War II stories right now. Especial- ly what was going on at The Homefront. Enemy plane spotters on the roofs of Oneonta buildings? Amazing. What part of the area’s history would you like to incorporate into a slogan for our lovely unnamed area between the Catskills and the Leatherstocking Region of upstate New York? Where can we say we’re from instead of halfway between Albany and Binghamton or a half-hour from Cooperstown? We have seen all kinds of ideas, from Rip Van Winkle Country to The I-88 Cor- ridor. None of them are great. Maybe I’ll have a contest on the air someday and see what the listeners come up with (and I can give away a kitchen sink). You have a lot of different vocations; if you wit- nessed a high-profile murder and had to go into witness protection in some faraway land, in which job would you like to be placed? A tour guide at the Gettysburg Battlefield. Or a greeter at one of the casinos in Vegas. What were you like in high school, and what music were you into as a teenager? I was funny, animated, friendly, popular and per- haps the worst student in the Sidney High School Class of 1967. I was into the doo- woopers _ Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The Beach Boys, all the singing groups. If you had to, in which reality TV show cast would you want to be? Reality show? What’s that? I’m a radio guy, remember? The Academy Awards are Feb. 27; are you a movie buff? Any picks this year? What’s your personal favorite movie of all time? I am a film freak and go as often as I can. And the nut didn’t fall to far from the tree, either. My daughter, Frances, is in wdosam.com Big Chuck is seen at the 2011 Chili Bowl on Feb. 6 at the Wilber Mansion in Oneonta. Hollywood and has been involved with shows like “Big Love,” and movies like Angelina Jolie’s “The Changeling.” “The Godfather” was the best movie ever made, and the classic “How Green Was My Valley” still brings a tear to my eye. “The Kings Speech” will be a major winner this year. As for “Black Swan,” all I have to say is ... huh? What’s the best part about living in the Oneonta area? The small-town feel, the people, The Green Toad Book Store, the pizza, and especially a monthly M.I.E. (the code word for the monthly gathering of Big Chuck and his friends). Feb. 24, 2011 O-Town Scene 7

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