Mike represented all of Doc Baker's radio station managers and paid tribute to him at yesterday's funeral in Blacksburg VA. Here's what he said:
My name is Mike Perry and I am the general manager of WCQR radio in Johnson City, TN. It was almost 14 years ago to day that I had the privilege to first meet Dr. Baker.
I answered a add in a trade magazine for a new management position for a start up radio station in Northeast, TN. I met Dr. Baker on the porch at Cracker Barrel and he gave me a tour of the area and he explained what his vision was for WCQR. The next day he introduced me to something wonderful, the world of Krispy Kreme donuts in Kingsport, TN. As he was showing me around town we stopped in and had a couple of hot donuts under the red light. I went there this weekend and had a few in his honor. We then went on to Blacksburg and he and Mrs. Baker allowed me to stay with them in their home as we continued the job interview. You know it’s not everyday that you stay in the home of the person interviewing you for a job. Talk about pressure. But they were both very gracious host.
I’m not sure if he didn’t want to get me a hotel room or if he just wanted to see what I was really like. I think it was the latter. He was sneaky that way. I loved to watch him talk with an engineer or electrician and he would give them that, I’m not quite sure how this works would you explain it to me. Well of course he could write the instruction manual for whatever it was, but he just wanted to see if they knew what they were talking about!
Over these 14 years I’ve come to love and respect doctor Baker , Virginia Baker and Eddie Baker as I’ve worked with them and I can’t thank them enough for allowing me to be a part of the Positive Alternative Radio family.
And family is the key word. It’s never seemed like you were working for some large corporation that didn’t know you or care about you. Dr Baker always asked how my kids were doing every time we talked and he usually had a story of his life growing up. That man had a fascinating life! I am amazed at the things he has done in his 88 years of life. Most of the time he had a joke he had heard and was wanting to share. Some funny, some not.
The one thing I will always remember is the day I accepted the job at WCQR. I was on the phone with him and I told him quite honestly, I’ve never done this before Mr. Baker and I’m not 100% sure I know what I’m doing. He told me “well we’ve all got to start somewhere. Here in this room today is a group of Positive Alternative Radio managers and team members who are all thankful that he was willing to give us a shot. He created something that has given us all the chance to live out our dreams and make a difference in thousands of lives.
Although Doctor Baker never opened a microphone and went on the air himself, he is responsible for every can of food we have collected at local food drives. He is responsible for every drop of blood we collected through blood drives. He is responsible for every blanket our stations collected to keep the homeless warm. Dr. Baker is responsible for helping thousands of non-profit organizations feed and clothe our communities. He is responsible for getting vital information to our communities in times of trouble or disaster. Most importantly, he is responsible for sharing the Gospel, the Good News of God’s love, to hundreds of thousands of people.
Without uttering a word on the radio he is responsible for making a difference in thousands of people lives everyday. They turn on the radio looking for a little fun, the news and weather and a little encouragement and they find it on a Positive Alternative Radio station everyday and he made it all happen.
So on behalf of all our radio stations and on behalf of all our listeners who never heard your voice or met you in person, let me say thank you Doctor Baker. Thank you for giving us a voice. Thank you for giving us a chance and thank you for your vision.
God bless you.
I answered a add in a trade magazine for a new management position for a start up radio station in Northeast, TN. I met Dr. Baker on the porch at Cracker Barrel and he gave me a tour of the area and he explained what his vision was for WCQR. The next day he introduced me to something wonderful, the world of Krispy Kreme donuts in Kingsport, TN. As he was showing me around town we stopped in and had a couple of hot donuts under the red light. I went there this weekend and had a few in his honor. We then went on to Blacksburg and he and Mrs. Baker allowed me to stay with them in their home as we continued the job interview. You know it’s not everyday that you stay in the home of the person interviewing you for a job. Talk about pressure. But they were both very gracious host.
I’m not sure if he didn’t want to get me a hotel room or if he just wanted to see what I was really like. I think it was the latter. He was sneaky that way. I loved to watch him talk with an engineer or electrician and he would give them that, I’m not quite sure how this works would you explain it to me. Well of course he could write the instruction manual for whatever it was, but he just wanted to see if they knew what they were talking about!
Over these 14 years I’ve come to love and respect doctor Baker , Virginia Baker and Eddie Baker as I’ve worked with them and I can’t thank them enough for allowing me to be a part of the Positive Alternative Radio family.
And family is the key word. It’s never seemed like you were working for some large corporation that didn’t know you or care about you. Dr Baker always asked how my kids were doing every time we talked and he usually had a story of his life growing up. That man had a fascinating life! I am amazed at the things he has done in his 88 years of life. Most of the time he had a joke he had heard and was wanting to share. Some funny, some not.
The one thing I will always remember is the day I accepted the job at WCQR. I was on the phone with him and I told him quite honestly, I’ve never done this before Mr. Baker and I’m not 100% sure I know what I’m doing. He told me “well we’ve all got to start somewhere. Here in this room today is a group of Positive Alternative Radio managers and team members who are all thankful that he was willing to give us a shot. He created something that has given us all the chance to live out our dreams and make a difference in thousands of lives.
Although Doctor Baker never opened a microphone and went on the air himself, he is responsible for every can of food we have collected at local food drives. He is responsible for every drop of blood we collected through blood drives. He is responsible for every blanket our stations collected to keep the homeless warm. Dr. Baker is responsible for helping thousands of non-profit organizations feed and clothe our communities. He is responsible for getting vital information to our communities in times of trouble or disaster. Most importantly, he is responsible for sharing the Gospel, the Good News of God’s love, to hundreds of thousands of people.
Without uttering a word on the radio he is responsible for making a difference in thousands of people lives everyday. They turn on the radio looking for a little fun, the news and weather and a little encouragement and they find it on a Positive Alternative Radio station everyday and he made it all happen.
So on behalf of all our radio stations and on behalf of all our listeners who never heard your voice or met you in person, let me say thank you Doctor Baker. Thank you for giving us a voice. Thank you for giving us a chance and thank you for your vision.
God bless you.
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