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PROFILES in style
An Interview with Glenn Hamilton Music Director and on-air personality for WRVV 97.3 fm,
The River.
What’s the number one way to get fired from a radio
station?
Once upon a time, in a land far, far away (Colombia, SC), there was a
number-one, 100,000 watt country station called the Great 98. And working for that great
station was an outgoing Programming Assistant named Glenn Hamilton, who also happened to
deejay weekend overnights; he was gaining valuable experience. One day, once upon that
time, it was a Monday morning around 5:00 am, with just 30 minutes left for young Hamilton
to finish his overnight shift, he decided he needed something out of his car. Daring to
brave the trek, Glenn propped the front door of the station open and headed for his car.
Suddenly, his worst nightmare was upon him... he could hear his career scraping to an end
in harmony with the front door of the station scraping closed as his faithful
"propping" block gave way. Young Hamilton sat outside the station’s doors
contemplating his demise, while nearly 20 minutes of completely "dead" air
resounded silently from radios across South Carolina. When low and behold a car pulled up
to the front of the station, and there emerged Glenn’s hopeful savior... It was his
boss.
Needless to say, Glenn kept his job. Walking into the station, his boss commented
"It’s happened to almost every deejay at one time or another."
Glenn was born and raised in Colombia, and he’s sure proud to be from
"Hootie-ville". At the age of ten Glen moved to Kerrville, TX, and there landed
his first job at a 1,000 watt AM station. By the age of 14, Glenn had his own Saturday
night show from 6pm to Midnight, where he could play "Whatever I wanted, for myself
and my friends." When Glenn graduated high school, he was offered a full-time
position at that station, and thus, began a successful career in radio. In 1987 Mr.
Hamilton landed in Mifflinburg, PA ,"Buggytown, USA". From there it was
Williamsport, Johnstown, and finally, Harrisburg. Every day, working in radio.
"It’s been 6-1/2 years I’ve been with Dame Media, and I couldn’t ask
for a greater position or to work with a more comfortable team. I’m the Music
Director for the River, now, and I work the 9am to 2pm shift every weekday." Glenn
showed this MODE writer the 5,000 songs he has at his fingertips every day. No
wonder the River never repeats the same song in one day. As if being the Music Director
and an on-air personality isn’t enough, you might have heard good old Glenn crooning
in the background of your favorite nightspot. With his acoustic guitar in hand, Glenn is a
regular at Nick’s 1014 Café, Coakley’s, Malley’s, and come the new year,
you’ll be able to enjoy his melodies at Dewey’s and Scotts’ downtown.
Glenn told MODE that, "Eventually, I would like to program as well as be on the air.
I am enjoying where I am right now." We asked him if he had any special plans for the
future, and he commented, "Make sure you (the listeners and readers) get involved
with the Toys for Tots program this year; it’s a great cause. Oh, and don’t
forget to come and say "Hi" at Strawberry Square when the River kicks off New
Year’s Eve and 1997!" Glenn will be at both events this December.
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