DID YOU KNOW ? ? ?In 10 minutes, a hurricane releases more energy than all of the world's nuclear weapons combined.
"I DID NOT KNOW THAT!"
-Johnny Carson
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Some things about Will Johnson that you might not know.......
What is your hometown?
Syracuse, New York
What was your first job?
I was 16 and worked as a bag boy ("Will...up front please...Will!") at Peter's IGA in DeWitt, a suburb of Syracuse, New York. I would bag up their groceries ("watch my eggs Sonny!!!!"), then wheel out the shopping cart to the customer's car, and then unload their groceries into the trunk or backseat. All for a 25 cent tip usually, if I was lucky. I remember I made $2.30/hour. It was a humble beginning! About a year later, I landed my first radio job.
Favorite books?
Practically anything by Stephen King-especially "The Stand" and "The Talisman." To me, the ultimate fantasy book is "The Talisman." It showcases King's incredible imagination and takes you on an exciting journey through two worlds and two dimensions. I also love the "Fourth Realm Trilogy" by John Twelve Hawks. The series started with the book "The Traveler." Next came "The Dark River" followed by "The Golden City" (the final book in the trilogy) which was released in September 2009. I also like books (and movies) where undercover agents infiltrate various criminal organizations. Right now, I'm reading "NO ANGEL: My Harrowing Undercover Journey to the Inner Circle of The Hells Angels." It's by ATF agent Jay Dobyns.
Hobbies?
Wow...where to begin? I collect Waterford Crystal. I have a nice collection that includes some really nice antique pieces. Plus, I'm a car lover. I also really enjoy motorcycle riding on nice sunny days in the San Juan Islands. I have a beautiful Harley Heritage Soft Tail (the color is Royal Blue with orange highlights) with only 17K miles on it...a sweet ride! Believe it or not, I also really like playing PS3 sports games with my son Chris. We love the MLB game called "The Show." Plus, Tiger Woods Golf, NCAA Football, and Madden 10 NFL. SO realistic, it's like you're actually there in the game (especially "THE SHOW" for Major League Baseball-my personal favorite). But I must say that my favorite hobby is traveling. Practically nothing in life is more fun to me than traveling and exploring new places. I love visiting islands, particularly the South Pacific and less traveled Caribbean islands. My favorite Caribbean island, by far, is St. Barts. If you ever get a chance to go to St. Barts, don't miss it! When I finally do get to the islands, I LOVE to snorkel around beautiful coral reefs. The next adventure (in the early planning stages) is a cruise on a freighter. That's right, A REAL FREIGHTER. This particular freighter cruise explores remote islands in the South Pacific. The people on the islands depend on the freighter to deliver food and supplies. The ship is often the only contact these island inhabitants have for weeks at a time. As a passenger, you get to see and explore islands that are literally "off the beaten track." SOME of these islands are places that cruise ships NEVER visit! One of the stops is the Marquesas Islands. This is where the famous French Impressionist, Paul Gauguin, spent his final years painting. He is buried on the Marquesas Islands. I can't wait to go on this cruise. Talk about an adventure!!
One place you would like to travel right now?
I would absolutely LOVE to go to the Kia Ora Resort on the island of Rangiroa. It's an atoll in the Tahitian Island chain. It's one of the top 5 diving/snorkeling places in the world! The Seychelle Islands is another place on my short list.
What was your first car?
I learned to drive on a 1970 VW fastback (I feel sorry for the clutch on that car!) My Mom had incredible patience when she taught me how to drive a stick shift. My first car was actually a 1966 Ferrari 275 GTS.
OK.....kidding!! It was a 1975 Dodge Colt. But I WISH the Ferrari was in my garage!
What was the first concert you attended?
It was either Peter Tosh or Felix Cavaliere and the Rascals-I honestly can't remember. The first really BIG concert I saw was Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner, and Pablo Cruise all together at Rich Stadium in Buffalo.
First celebrity crush?
It had to be Farrah Fawcett. What guy didn't have that famous poster of FF tacked up on his dorm room wall in the late 70s? I'm SURE you know the picture I'm talking about!
Favorite food?
LOBSTER, LOBSTER, LOBSTER. Did I mention LOBSTER????
Name one tune that's in "Recently played" on your iPod
I've found a special song that you HAVE to check out. It's "Let It Be" (yes, the Beatles song) from the "Across the Universe" movie soundtrack. Timothy T. Mitchum and Carol Woods sing on this version, but Carol Woods is the real star. She is joined by a great gospel choir and her performance will give you chills. Even if you aren't a fan of gospel music, you will LOVE this version. You can find it on You Tube...just go to Youtube.com and search "Let it Be Video-Carol Woods." You'll see an actual scene from the movie "Across the Universe" which is a movie about the 60s told in part through Beatles music. It's a really cool movie that I'll tell you about another time...but I'd like your opinion on the song this time! Let me know what you think...(willj@warm1069.com)
I've also been listening to the "Dances With Wolves" movie soundtrack lately by John Barry. It's a beautiful and majestic piece of music from one of my all time favorite movies.
Last book read?
"SUPER JOCK" by Larry Lujack
What makes you laugh?
JERRY SEINFELD, LARRY DAVID, DAVE CHAPPELLE, and STEVE MARTIN are my favorite comedians. They all make me laugh. And just everyday situations that border on the ridiculous make me laugh too.
Cats or dogs?
I used to be a dog person. But then I met a special girlfriend who was really into cats and she "turned me" into a cat person! I've had cats off and on, since about 1988. Some people say cats are aloof and unfriendly. I say to those people, "you just haven't found the right cat." My cat "Teddy", who just passed away last year after 18 years with us, was the most loving, friendly, outgoing animal I've ever known. He talked to us, he did tricks, and gave us a lot of love. We miss him very much.
Latest accomplishment?
I would have to say the success we've had at WARM 106.9 is the accomplishment I'm most proud of recently. I'm really happy about what we do at the radio station. Every week, more people are tuning in and becoming regular listeners. That's a good thing.
Why I do what I do?
That's an easy one. I LOVE what I do. I can't think of a better job. I love music, and I get to play music that I really enjoy for 5 hours every afternoon. Plus, I love to talk, and I get to do that and be creative every afternoon. They always say, get a job doing something you love, and it won't seem like work. I'm doing that!
What are your top 5 favorite artists of all-time?
The Beatles, James Taylor, Dire Straits, Stevie Wonder, and Pink Floyd...oh, and the Eagles. Sorry, that's six.
Where did you get started in radio? Your first radio job?
My actual first job was at WJPZ, a fully student run station at Syracuse University. I worked there the summer of my senior year in high school. My first PAYING radio job, was part-time at 62 WHEN-AM in Syracuse which I started in July of 1977.
Favorite thing to do when you aren't playing music at Warm 106.9?
Traveling, spending time with my family, swimming, surfing the web, reading, and watching QUALITY television. I LOVE the Discovery Channel and HBO best!
What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you while you were on the air?
When I was first getting started in radio, I had two janitors "moon" me while I was doing a 5-minute newscast. I started laughing and that just made them keep doing it. This was all happening at 1:00 AM in the morning. I was 18 years old and of course, I thought the whole world was listening to me at that moment!! It was the longest 5 minutes of my life!
What was your favorite celebrity interview experience?
I've had the pleasure of interviewing MANY celebrities. I think the thing that most people would be surprised to learn, is that most of the celebs I've talked to are much more reserved in person, or on the phone, than they are when they are performing. My favorite interviews were Michael Buble (a very funny man!), Phil Collins (one of those shy types, but a real honor to talk to him), Peter Cetera, and Gloria Estefan. By far, the strangest interview was Neil Diamond. I LOVE the guy, but I swear, I thought he had fallen asleep a couple of times during the interview! Neil brings "low-key" to a new level!
Describe a family tradition that you have.
It has to be Christmas with my Mom, my kids, and the rest of my family. Christmas Eve, with the presents being opened, great seafood appetizers and cheeses, and that family "togetherness." Then on Christmas Day, relaxing around the fireplace with the smell of my Mom's Roast Prime Rib cooking. She has British ancestry, and it's traditional to make Yorkshire Pudding with Roast Beef. And my Mom makes a "killer" Yorkshire Pudding!
GOING THE DISTANCE
Drew Barrymore and Justin Long star in this romantic comedy. DB does this type of movie so well (remember FEVER PITCH with Jimmy Fallon?), and I think this one has good potential. Drew and Justin play two people who meet in NYC and spend a summer getting close to each other and simply having what they think is a summertime romance and nothing more. When Garrett (Long) heads back to San Francisco, they think that it's over. But when love calls, you sometimes can't ignore it...
THE AMERICAN
George Clooney stars as a hitman who has retreated to the Italian countryside after an assignment in Sweden went awry. He develops several casual friendships while in Italy and lets his guard down somewhat in a situation where he should be wary and alert. Who will be the person who betrays him?
NEW DVD RELEASES FOR 8/31
FURRY VENGEANCE
HOT TUB TIME MACHINE
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| Will's CLASSIC Pictures
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When it comes to classics, they don't get much better than One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. This drama, which at times will have you rolling on the floor with laughter, won 5 Oscars in 1976. The awards were for Best Actor (Jack Nicholson), Best Actress (Louise Fletcher), Best Director (Milos Forman), Best Picture, and Best Writing adapted from a screenplay. Michael Douglas was the main producer on the film, the first producer assignment in his long career (what a great film to debut on, huh?).
The movie is centered on a mental institution with patients who are truly mentally ill. Into this mix comes R.P. McMurphy (Nicholson), a wise-cracking small time criminal who has faked being mentally ill to get out of going to a real jail. McMurphy is abrasive, yet has a certain charm that some of the patients take to immediately. There are others that he completely rubs the wrong way and alienates (see Nurse Ratched). One relationship that develops throughout the film is a friendship with a HUGE Native American patient, known affectionately as "Chief" (Will Sampson-from Oregon). Without spoiling anything for you, Chief doesn't speak, but Nicholson talks to him constantly, and there seems to be a mutual respect between the two characters.
The central point of the film is the relationship between McMurphy and Louise Fletcher's character, Nurse Ratched. It's essentially a power struggle, with Nurse Ratched trying to keep order and go strictly by the rules and McMurphy intent on breaking every rule and creating chaos at the institution. One of the key scenes in the film involves McMurphy trying to get the World Series on the sole television in the common room and Ratched reluctantly agreeing to do it if he can get enough votes from the other patients to go in his favor. The campaigning that McMurphy goes through to get the Series on the TV is very entertaining. The tense relationship between the two comes to a mammoth climax toward the end of the film resulting in dire consequences for Nicholson's character.
In spite of McMurphy's antics, you'll find yourself laughing with him and rooting for him to succeed throughout most of the film. He's a clown; obnoxious, but very likeable. Most of that comes from Nicholson's own personality, and I can't imagine another actor playing that role and "owning it" like Jack does in Cuckoo's Nest.
"One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest" is one of those rare films that combine drama with comedy effectively. Very few films have achieved what Milos Forman has done with this movie. That's probably why it's on most critics "Best List" for greatest movies of all time. If you haven't seen it, you really should make a point to do so. It's an unforgettable movie that will not disappoint.
"stress saver traffic" updates from Heather Stark! She'll let you know where the trouble spots are and get you home the fastest possible way!
