THE BLOG I'VE PUT OFF; PETER IS LEAVING
I've dreaded writing this post for about six months, but it can't wait any longer. Peter Girourad is leaving me and the "A.M. Asylum". Friday June, 15 will be our last show together. I'm devastated. Peter is moving back to his native Providence, Rhode Island.
I was given the news back at the first of the year, but I kept thinking that something would change his thinking or that I, or someone else, could say or do something that would change his mind. It hasn't worked. This is our last week together; this is his last week in Pikeville.
Peter came to Pikeville in August 1999 with a friend to open a business. He first came in June of that year and moved here officially in August. He and his partner founded a little business that has now expanded to 3 stores in 3 different cities. It has grown from absolute zero to success. This is quite an endeavor in the business environment that has existed in the last 8 years, yet success is subjective, and to a person with the drive that Peter has to do well, it has been a challenge met and one to be bested.
Peter's brothers and all his relatives live in or near Providence and it is his hometown. He has been away from home for all these years and he is quite homesick. Yet, he has fallen in love with this area and its' people, and all who have gotten to know him have returned that love to him.
Peter was a part time employee of WZLK under it's previous owner. When East Kentucky Broadcasting acquired the station, Peter and the other employees were retained. Peter was the morning sidekick to Jeff Meek on ZLK and when the format was changed and Jeff moved to another slot, afternoon drive time on WDHR, Peter stayed on in the morning to help the rest of us on the various stations. We immediately bonded. I have never had another person in this business with whom I felt closer; this business or any other.
There is so much that goes on behind the scenes that it is impossible to explain. The on-air stuff is about 50% of it. Peter knows what needs to be done and he does it. He doesn't have to be told, he just gets it done and moves on. Being an early riser, a lot of it is done before I ever get here. Then there is the stuff that hits us blind side. He and I are on the same wavelength and a lot of the time we don't have to discuss things, we just move in that direction and it happens. Call it chemistry.
Peter is an educated and well read man. I enjoy our conversations off mic, because we tend to enjoy a lot of the same ideals and interests in many areas, but his command and retention of the Classics far surpasses mine.
As a person I have never met his equal. Never. Every person with whom he makes contact is treated with the utmost respect. He views everyone as his equal as a human being. Prince or Pauper it doesn't matter, they are treated in a courteous, kind, polite, respectful manner. This is a credit to his parents.
I truly dread Friday, June 15 at 9:00 a.m. At this time he and his brothers, who are coming to drive back to Providence with him, are leaving Pikeville. It is like dreading the death of a friend. It's like when we are at a funeral and you say they're in a better place, but dang it hurts us here. I don't mean for this to sound morbid, but these are my true feelings. If I characterize it any other way then I am being dishonest with you. I am losing a sidekick, a comrade, a buddy, someone who holds my greatest respect, but most of all a friend...a true friend.
My favorite humor writer, Lewis Grizzard, wrote a book called "They Tore Out My Heart and Stomped That Sucker Flat". Grizzard was talking more about his physical problems than emotional, but that title applies to me now. It's making me physically sick.
Godspeed Pete!
Stay Tuned
Randy
I was given the news back at the first of the year, but I kept thinking that something would change his thinking or that I, or someone else, could say or do something that would change his mind. It hasn't worked. This is our last week together; this is his last week in Pikeville.
Peter came to Pikeville in August 1999 with a friend to open a business. He first came in June of that year and moved here officially in August. He and his partner founded a little business that has now expanded to 3 stores in 3 different cities. It has grown from absolute zero to success. This is quite an endeavor in the business environment that has existed in the last 8 years, yet success is subjective, and to a person with the drive that Peter has to do well, it has been a challenge met and one to be bested.
Peter's brothers and all his relatives live in or near Providence and it is his hometown. He has been away from home for all these years and he is quite homesick. Yet, he has fallen in love with this area and its' people, and all who have gotten to know him have returned that love to him.
Peter was a part time employee of WZLK under it's previous owner. When East Kentucky Broadcasting acquired the station, Peter and the other employees were retained. Peter was the morning sidekick to Jeff Meek on ZLK and when the format was changed and Jeff moved to another slot, afternoon drive time on WDHR, Peter stayed on in the morning to help the rest of us on the various stations. We immediately bonded. I have never had another person in this business with whom I felt closer; this business or any other.
There is so much that goes on behind the scenes that it is impossible to explain. The on-air stuff is about 50% of it. Peter knows what needs to be done and he does it. He doesn't have to be told, he just gets it done and moves on. Being an early riser, a lot of it is done before I ever get here. Then there is the stuff that hits us blind side. He and I are on the same wavelength and a lot of the time we don't have to discuss things, we just move in that direction and it happens. Call it chemistry.
Peter is an educated and well read man. I enjoy our conversations off mic, because we tend to enjoy a lot of the same ideals and interests in many areas, but his command and retention of the Classics far surpasses mine.
As a person I have never met his equal. Never. Every person with whom he makes contact is treated with the utmost respect. He views everyone as his equal as a human being. Prince or Pauper it doesn't matter, they are treated in a courteous, kind, polite, respectful manner. This is a credit to his parents.
I truly dread Friday, June 15 at 9:00 a.m. At this time he and his brothers, who are coming to drive back to Providence with him, are leaving Pikeville. It is like dreading the death of a friend. It's like when we are at a funeral and you say they're in a better place, but dang it hurts us here. I don't mean for this to sound morbid, but these are my true feelings. If I characterize it any other way then I am being dishonest with you. I am losing a sidekick, a comrade, a buddy, someone who holds my greatest respect, but most of all a friend...a true friend.
My favorite humor writer, Lewis Grizzard, wrote a book called "They Tore Out My Heart and Stomped That Sucker Flat". Grizzard was talking more about his physical problems than emotional, but that title applies to me now. It's making me physically sick.
Godspeed Pete!
Stay Tuned
Randy
