An interview with Chris Andree, afternoon DJ on KOOL, WWKL, 99.3fm

Personality Profiles

"Chef" Chris Andree Cooks Up A Medley of Oldies

by Andrea Stape

When you listen to a radio personality, their voice often conjures up an image. However, the deep and cheery voice of KOOL 99.3 disc jockey Chris Andree, left me with an ambiguous picture. So, as I sat in the lobby of the Dame Media offices on Progress Avenue and waited for Chris to appear I had no idea what type of person to expect.

I waited patiently, slyly checking out everyone that passed by. A short, heavyset man in a tie and dress pants sauntered through the lobby from the back offices. As he left, with a briefcase and stack of papers in hand, I had to assume that he wasn’t who I was looking for. Suddenly, the front door to the office swung open and a tall, distinguished looking African American man with a busy air swept into the office. Maybe, this was Chris. A smile came to my face as I started to rise from my seat. But, when he approached a young man waiting on the other side of the lobby, I wiped the smile away and quickly turned to check out an award on the wall. I hate being embarrassed like that.

After about 15 minutes, I was starting to get impatient. But, then from around the corner appeared a man dressed in jeans, a blue polo shirt and a buzz cut. He was rather husky looking, like a former Army general, but with the infectious smile and demeanor of a family dentist. Finally, the real Chris Andree.

We settled down in a studio and Chris began to recount his long radio history. Originally from Belfont, PA and a graduate of PSU, he moved to the Harrisburg area in 1976. Chris’ first radio job in the area was at WKBO, a Top 40 station at the time. However, he was spinning oldie tunes even then, hosting WKBO’s evening oldies show "The Sixties at Six."

With a throaty laugh and a personality that would make the shyest person divulge their secrets, it is easy to see why Chris has done well in the radio business. However, according to Chris, when he was young he tossed around the idea of working in newspapers. "But, I had been doing radio since high school..." he begins, only to be interrupted by the studio door bursting open to admit KOOL Program Director R.J. Harris.

"I just wanted to check and make sure Chris wasn’t lying," said Harris with a laugh. "No, actually, I’m sorry to interrupt but I have to dub some tapes." Harris then walked over to the other end of the studio and began to fiddle with some electronic equipment.

Recovering from the unexpected disturbance, Chris continued to discuss his Harrisburg radio history. After leaving WKBO in 1982, he went to work at Sunny 99 WSFM. The station had an oldies based adult contemporary format and was at the same place on the radio dial as KOOL is now. His stint at Sunny 99 lasted until 1986 when he was let go. "I was asking for it. I used to make fun of the general manager," he said. "All the D.J.’s had a disdain for this guy. Unfortunately, the day I was let go my wife, who at the time was my fiancée, resigned from her job."

It seemed strange to me that a pleasant individual such as Chris would be let go but, it’s just one of those strange contradictions. Chris continued to recount his history by telling me how he took a position at WHP AM/FM, a station with a completely adult contemporary format, after Sunny 99. "I didn’t really like AC," he confesses. "It’s a much quieter format, which is kind of boring for a D.J." In 1991, Chris shed the boredom of Michael Bolton and Carly Simon to spin rock and roll oldies at KOOL.

This history lesson was great, but I was digging for juicy information. So, I asked Chris to tell me some crazy radio stories from the past 20 years. He hesitated slightly, cocking his head to look at me with a goofy grin. Suddenly, the still present R.J. Harris piped up with a loud laugh. "Ha, he’s really looking for a story to tell you that won’t end in divorce," he said. Chris sheepishly confirmed this outburst, "I have some wild stories. But, you don’t want to hear them and my wife doesn’t either."

This should come as a shock to me, but I am quickly learning that there is a complex individual under that congenial voice. After being in the radio business for 20 years, Chris has experienced all aspects of the industry. He is familiar with the high profile nature of being a disc jockey, and is equally aware of the impact a dwindling ratings share can have on that success. "With big companies coming in and owning several stations in one market, radio is a unique game," he said. "I have seen radio go from trying to capture a mass audience to splitting up the demographics and carving out niches."

KOOL 99.3 definitely has a loyal audience, and according to Chris, interaction with listeners is one of his favorite aspects of his job. Chris, also known as Chef Chris Andree, hosts the KOOL café all request show Monday through Friday from noon to 1pm. "Request shows are always fun," he said. "You have everything from regular callers to calls from left field and people just being weird."

According to Chris, one particular listener chronicles his life in daily newsletters, which he then sends into the station. "If he comes out to a remote location and meets one of us, then we’re in the newsletter," he said.

His smile makes me laugh, and I am amused by his laid back modesty. I asked him if he feels like at all like a celebrity. "Radio used to be more personality oriented," he replied. "Today everyone is media savvy. Radio doesn’t hold the mystique it used to."

As we’re finishing up the interview, Chris remembers one last story, which captures his personality perfectly. Obviously not one to brag, it still amazes me that this anecdote could slip his mind. "I had completely forgotten about this," he said, "but, in 1974 when I was working in Williamsport, Mohammad Ali’s training camp called. I realized that our signal reached into Deer Lake, but I didn’t really believe it was him. They wanted to hear a song, so I played it for them. I mean, are you going to say no to Mohammad Ali?"

Oh, if only I could have heard those other stories. I wonder if his wife would really be that upset….