lee speaks

History

Member for

1 year 30 weeks

Audio

listen to lee speaks's recent audio files

Personal Information

Your website

http://newlowdown.blogspot.com

State

MO

Bio

As of October 19, 2007, I am the former morning news anchor at KCUR-FM, a public radio station in Kansas City and an independent producer in Chicago.

Before busting into radio, I worked for many years as a writer and editor, producing everything from a fascinating four-part report on the new South Pole Station to 60-second commercials about disgruntled elves (yes, really).

KCUR is a smallish station in a mid-sized market, which has allowed for the wearing of many hats. Since joining the staff in 2004, I've worked as an announcer, talk show producer (and fill-in host) and - happiest gig of all - host of a weekly jazz show. I continue to pursue my role as a "jazz enabler" in monthly appearances as the jazz critic for Up to Date, one of KCUR's daily talk shows.

I am occoasionally called upon to act, sing and do the improv thing.

What's your favorite public radio show?

New Fave: Radio Lab (although it sounds like Robert Krulwich is having too much fun sometimes - can't say that I blame him)

Runner Up: Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me - particularly when Paula Poundstone is on the panel

What's your secret talent?

Identifying "celebrity" voiceovers in commercials.

What song is stuck in your head right now, you know, a music wedgie?

"Via Con Me" by Paolo Conte. "Chips, chips, chips..." What's that about?

What sound is most characteristic of where you live?

Birdsong and lawnmowers by day, distant trains at night.

What's your favorite sound memory?

The hum of the wind moving through the pines in the Black Hills, summer 1984. I have never heard anything that deep and powerful. That raccoon fight behind my apartment in Oakland was also pretty amazing.

Which station do you listen to most?

KCUR, which is largely a result of working there. I was also a big fan of Swing Street on Sirius until they dumped it.

Affiliate

Affiliate points

lee speaks has earned 129 points.

Points

User points

544