Sound meters lining the top of a long instrument panel flick up and down, reflecting the changes in volume produced by the strong voice spoken into a microphone in the next room.
Roman is on the air.
Goodrich native John Roman, 53, sits in the small room with a glass divider from 3-6 p.m. Monday- Friday on 1570 AM. When asked how long he’s been in the business as a radio host he laughs, bright eyes crinkling beneath silver hair, and says, ‘too long.?
But Roman isn’t the sort of grizzled, on-air personality such an answer might portray him to be. He appears to love his job and when asked what the best part of the business is, he hesitates only for a moment.
‘The creativity,? says Roman.
Roman recounts how, for a short period of time after moving back to the area, he took a job as a furniture salesman until he could get back on the radio.
‘With every customer it was the same,? he says.
But in his year with the Flint-based radio station, Roman has seen more interesting days. He has been able to interview guests such as comedian Bill Cosby, Monkees member Micky Dolenz, and Governor Jennifer Granholm.
‘I treat them fairly, but I’m not afraid to ask a hard question,? says Roman.
Having been in the business since the 1970s and once broadcast on more than 125 stations nationwide, Roman has honed his personal interview style as a host, which he describes as ‘very Larry King-ish.?
‘I try to ask questions the average person might want to know,? says Roman.
His career choice has taken Roman to many locales far from the Goodrich home near Porter’s Orchard where he grew up. He recently came back to Michigan and currently lives in Swartz Creek. The Goodrich High School graduate says he still keeps in touch with the Goodrich community, whether it’s by having dinner with the friends he has in the area or simply following the news stories coming from his old hometown.
In fact, whether it be listening to the news or to friends, it is listening that the talk show host says is paramount to his profession.
‘I spend a lot of time listening when I’m out instead of talking. I talk here,? says Roman.
By listening to the topics of conversation going on around him, Roman says he is able to harvest points of discussion for his show. Additionally, the host says he draws inspiration for conversation from his kids, ages 7, 13, 18 and 22.
‘I try to do more than just the top news stories,? says Roman.
Finding a way to make that connection between himself and his audience is the most difficult part of the job, says Roman.
‘Trying to keep people in their cars (listening) for 30 seconds longer or two minutes longer? radio is all about getting people to listen.? says Roman. ?…That’s what my boss pays me to do; Put butts in the seats.?
The captive audience provided by the daily commute is a radio host’s best friend, says Roman. Because of that, despite the changes in available news sources, people still depend on the radio as one of their primary news outlets.
Roman says his show is heard by 5,000-6,000 people each day, with still more tuning in from around the world via podcast, one of the most recent advancements in the medium.
As for the future of radio, ‘I’d be worth a whole lot more money if I really knew,? laughs Roman.
For anyone interested in pursuing a career as a radio talk show host, Roman advises overcoming any lingering shyness and learning about as many things as possible.
‘You have to know an awful lot about a lot,? says Roman.
And while all jobs have their ups and downs, Roman is happy with the path he has chosen.
‘I have fun. I’m having a ball,? says Roman. ‘I only wish most people could have as much fun at their jobs as I have every day.?