Round 3 Entry for Glynn Washington

* Opening set-up done very well with Glynn's usual suspense and animation. Great job of listening to responses and interjecting. Reaction a bit much to performance. When interviewed - relied on Round 2 subject matter a bit too much for me. Noble explanation of goals as a host.

* I love that Glynn wants to bring new voices to public radio and challenge listeners to interrogate their own stereotypes, but this interview never quite arrived at the place I think Glynn hoped it would. The sad fact, as we all know, is that people who do interesting things are not always interesting. He picks it up, in all fairness, when he is interviewed and definitely expands the horizons. Glynn definitely has an open and still-excited-about-it-all thing going on that is definitely refreshing to the ear. I’m just not 100% convinced about his range.

* Interview: Best of the lot! Great surprise, and his enthusiasm for his subject and guest is crystal clear / contagious. He might try to lead the questions a bit much, but this probably has to do with a shy 11-year old who he needs to pull out his shell a bit. Great connection between them, singing at end is ace.

* He knows how to write and deliver a seductive, provocative introduction. For the most part, I find Glynn’s interests compelling as well. Good idea to interview an African American kid choosing to sing Chinese opera instead of hip-hop or gospel or R&B. BUT, interviewing children is tricky; they rarely perform well in a traditional interview environment. Glynn related nicely to the guest, but overall is a little stiff. I would have suggested inviting him to sing earlier in the interview and follow with other important questions left unanswered: What does the Chinese mean? Is he learning Chinese? Did he grow up listening to Opera? How can he personally relate to Chinese opera as an art form? As a guest, Glynn is all over the map. Enough about your mother already! But, as he loosens up he becomes much more interesting and in his element as a conversationalist.

* The intro WAY over promises and is terribly forced. The questions sound like he's performing rather than having a conversation. He does a good job keeping the focus on the guest. Want to know more about the kid as a person. Glynn seems to want the kid to talk more about race and class than he's really comfortable doing. The kid was not that good a singer sorry to say.

* Not sure what he believes in. "Culture bad?" Where he lives now answer has no detail or images. Raised in a cult - now we're talking. Want to hear more, but don't - that may be the fault of the interviewer. He has a great set a life experiences, but I'm not hearing them. He talks a bunch about race and class, but does not demonstrate he can really get at either in a meaningful way. Can't imagine spending time with him.

* Sounds like a nice guy, but the interview didn't get the best from the kid and felt over-inflated. The trick would be to make us feel the superlatives, rather than tell us to feel them. I'm intrigued by his background, but felt he still has too long a way to go to develop as a "host."

HOw in the h-ll do I vote for Glynn?

Hi ANnie!

I knew you would be a semifinalist. Your round 3 submission was excellent. You're not afraid to take a risk, to show us who you are and to expose us to stories that may challenge our beliefs. You have a certain "quality" -- a rare energy, enthusiasm and warmth that draws us in and keeps us listening. I'm genuinely excited to hear what you have in store for the next round. Glynn is IT.

Dude,

You caught a break. There is no way you belong in this competition at this point.

Sorry. I gotta keep it real.

Let's see what you can do when they take the gloves off. I can't wait for this next round. You are a cinch to be in.

The suspense is fricking killing me though. Great entries all around. I do not envy these judges.

Best of Luck,
Gen X

Glynn had good delivery--engaged, interested, and enthusiastic. I liked his interview with the young man who sang and I think he was good at answering the questions posed to him. It did seem, however, that he had prepared the answers to the questions before he got them. It sounded like he new what he was going to talk about before he even got the question and then morphed his answer to make it fit. Not a bad tactic, though, because the result seemed to work.

The fact is you have more promise and potential than you do professional polish right now. But polish will come in time. There are broadcast schools pumping out people with a radio voice.

G, his hostiness, W ...has the IT factor, the X factor, not the fear factor, or the max factor, but he is brimming with ideas and has a great personality.

At the end of all these biased postings ask yourself,
"Who has got the Hostiness?"

Now you see,

Pace Veterane
Long live the Host

Tough choosing a little kid for an interview subject, but it worked. And thanks for showing the story behind the story -- Mr. Liu is hypnotic! And kudos to Ms. Chew for introducing her students to real art and culture more than just the canned stuff in textbooks.

Glynn's was the only interview I listened to all the way thru. I wanted to hear Tyler's story and the singing at the end was mind-boggling. What?? How?? Why?? Talk about multi-culti! We are truly a global culture. Thanks Glynn. Everyone in my office huddled around my computer to watch the youtube submission of Mr. Lui. Beautiful. I am going to go put some sake in my mexican hot chocolate and drink to you.

Glynn, I read all the posts. I read with interest the comment about exploiting "black as sensation". I am African American and I want to thank you that you understand the dynamics of this contemporary world--a freed black person thinks globally, he is not penalized for liking watermelon or sushi (Japanese, I know) or singing Chinese anthems. He is ever aware of what justice and rights still need to materialize but he is not obligated at all to placate and dance for a fading contingency of civil rights has-beens who long for the good old days of "blacks versus whites".
Continue to think outside the box and thank you for featuring a young progressive African American male who is thinking outside the box!

By the way, I thoroughly enjoy Tavis Smiley.

wpj

how can you not love this guy? now if only i were smart enough to figure out whether i actually submitted a vote of "excellent" for glynn!

I find Glynn thoroughly engaging. Interviewing a kid LIVE is really difficult but it kept my interest all the way through to the singing. I find Glynn's background of interest as well.

Yes, he needs to work on some p-pops and slurring but he really has an energy and passion that's missing in public radio. I'd really like to see him make it to the next round. We need Glynn!

the more you stay true to yourself, the better it gets.

good luck

If don't know if I normally would have waited around to get to the singing. That turned out to be worth it.

You need your questions to pop a bit more. Tough interview though, so you get 4 stars.

I saw a political ad Mr. Washington produced for the 2004 presidential campaign and was impressed then with his seriousness, vision, and unique view on our culture. Hearing these interviews just strengthens this sense of him. Please, NPR, get him in front of mike more often!

With the exception of a couple of finalists who already have their own local shows, most of the candidates in this contest are mere amateurs with more promise than polish. So I'm judging based at least as much on improvement (and potential) as on quality material. Considering the length of this contest, I'd say it's at least about process and growth as anything else.

Here, for the first time, I think Glynn really belongs in this elite group -- and he's demonstrating that he has what it takes to go the long haul in radio.

What I'm hearing: Great meter, great pacing, great confidence, and -- in the first segment -- a somewhat challenging subject (singing 11 year old) that comes to life. I really liked the singing sample too.

I'd definitely put him in the final 3, and my guess is once he gets there, he'll be ready to claim the contest title, too.

I listened to all the other participants first, however only found one other that sounded professional enough to take on an entire radio show. What surprised myself the most is that Glynn's is the ONLY one I listened to all the way through! Yes, taking on an 11 year old was a bit risky somewhat, but I do believe interviewing an 11 year old is a bit easier too in that you could control the direction and timing better. My point here is even though the content was interesting, Glynn's warmth in his voice comes across genuine and natural. This man has something special you can not learn in school and drew me into his conversation. Call it black soul or whatever you would like, it's a pleasant feeling you walk away with! The only difference I would have made is the angle of the storyline Glynn took. Instead of pointing out the differences of skin color and if he felt comfortable performing in front of an Asian audience, why not talk about how this very talented boy's talent drew the cutlures closer, if in so it did! and how about how the world is starting to change attitudes about crossing the color lines? We as a muti-racial society need to work on getting closer and inspecting better ways to do that! Encourage other young people to stretch into unknown areas. It seems to me that this was a perfect example to showcase this wonderful experience instead of taking that worn path of the generations before! However, even though I was not crazy about the slant, I loved how he pulled it off! GREAT JOB!

Wistfully Yours!
Elena

my return to the PRTQ boards and giving this contest my consideration. Thank you for revealing a little known perspective.

And interviewing a kid? Anyone who is able to pull that off has hostiness.
Much of the credit has to go to Tyler, too. He definitely did what children always do, they show us how simple things are, no forcing opinions, no reinforcing stereotypes or adults' conditioned perceptions.

Initially, I thought I knew why you were chosen as a finalist. This challenge has shown me I have no idea what you can come with. That's hostiness. All best to you.
Peace "If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform a million realities."
---Maya Angelou

A fabulous contribution -- equally for the choice of guest and the subject, uniqueness and memorability, enthusiasm, down-to-earth honesty, and ability of the host to place himself on the level of the one being interviewed. No facade of intellectualism, over-control, reading, disconnect to the subject. I was completely drawn in. There was a sense of listening in to a personal conversation between two friends. I additionally enjoyed the personal interview immensely. A magnificent entry and a beautiful achievement. - Joy

Back by popular demand, I proudly present:

“PRTQ: The Movie, Part II.”

So many Questers have expressed interest in Mr. Liu (pipa instrumentalist
extraordinaire) – that I am posting a second virtuoso performance.

In the course of researching Tyler Thompson’s involvement with Chinese opera, we stumbled upon Mr Liu, who instructed Tyler’s teacher (Sherlyn Chew).

It’s a multi-generational thing.

If you haven’t seen Episode One, you can check it out RIGHT HERE:

Peace and soul,

Glynn

PS: A brand new episode will be out soon!

The voice, the feeling, the everything. Gotta love him. Glynn's the real thing. Enthralling. Keep it up!

. . . what's up with that shirt?! Good thing it's a radio show b/c I hear you loud and clear over here. Bravo, man, be a trend setter.

Glynn,

Your heart shines through. The interview with the young man was a huge risk, but it paid off. I love the excitement you bring to everything you do. It makes the interview kinetic. Good work, keep on keepin' on.

light,
Al

what's so great about this guy?

Every round of this contest I look forward to hearing your entry. The common theme...GOOD STORYTELLING. It's clear that you have a passion for life, learning, and connecting with people. But to take your interactions with people and/or a particular subject matter and turn it into a compelling, surprising, entertaining, dramatic story...now that is a gift. It's so fun and inspiring to see the world through your eyes. Keep up the great work! And thanks for making and sharing the movie!

That's right, PRTQ faithful!

I've got a BIG surprise in store for you today. A great story always has a lot of other great stories attached to it.

And we've got a GREAT story! Check out the movie right here (give it a second to load):

Peace and soul,

Glynn