Knock. Knock. Who’s There? It’s Chairman Pai!

He’s a man of the people. Will we someday see him kissing babies in Iowa and New Hampshire? Hometown Broadcasting General Manager Robert Wagner tells Radio Ink that Chairman Pai just happened to be passing through Danville, Kentucky, and wanted to stop by to say hello. At first Wagner thought someone was playing an April Fool’s joke on him, until he found out that’s just the way Pai rolls.

Radio Ink: We heard The FCC Chairman paid you a visit? Did you think it was a surprise inspection by the boss?
Robert Wagner: No surprise. His office did call ahead and ask to visit. However, when his office called, I first thought maybe this was an April Fool’s prank. Like the Chairman of the FCC would be visiting a station in the middle of Kentucky out of the blue. After realizing this was for real I was in shock. Of course, there were the jokes about an inspection/audit, but his office explained his desire to visit. They stressed he likes to visit. And wanted to visit an “AM” station. While here, he told us about growing up listening to the AM station in his hometown. It sounded like a radio station similar to ours. He has strong memories of his time listening to radio and repeated the call letters and frequency as though he was doing a legal ID.

Radio Ink: What did he do during his visit?
Robert Wagner: He was like an old friend just came over to have coffee and see how we were doing. He took a tour and met the staff. Also, our Congressman came by too. He was in town for a town hall meeting and heard he was here and came to meet him too.

Radio Ink: Why did he stop by?
Robert Wagner: It was part of his tour this week through several states to see the various technologies being used. His assistant commented how inspiring it is to them to be out of DC and the various areas they work with. It really drives them to work harder.

Radio Ink: What did you speak to him about?
Robert Wagner: We thanked him for the opportunity to add FM translators to our stations. He was very happy to hear we received our construction permits. We told him how it would help us with nighttime coverage and early morning programming during the winter months. He wished us success. We got on the subject of Fake Caller ID and how can that be fixed. Telemarketers are using our name and phone number or the local hospital to get people to answer their calls. He told us how he even gets them on his cell phone. He explained they are working on it, but a solution is not easily available. I shared with him WHIR started in 1947 and is still in our building constructed to house and operate the station and has a working transmitter from the early days, and can survive an EMP blast. So if there is EMP, call us, we are ready to serve America!

Radio Ink: What is your opinion of Chairman Pai?
Robert Wagner: He seemed like an old friend. He was really interested in how things worked and enjoyed meeting everyone. He seemed to enjoy the behind-the-scenes tour just like a local listener would. It’s show business. Behind the mic is always cool even if you are the Chairman of the FCC.

Radio Ink: Did he ask you if he could go on the air to spin a few records?
Robert Wagner: Records? What records? No, but maybe we should have had him host Swap Shop! If only he would have come earlier in the day.

Reach out to Robert Wagner by e-mail at [email protected]

Follow Chairman Pai on Twitter at @ajitpaifcc