Born and raised in Egypt, a retired 65-year-old who wanted to resurrect a career in broadcasting here in the U.S.
"I am originally from Lebanon where I used to work as a D.J Arriving to the US (31 years ago) I was told I needed American experience, so I enrolled at the Columbia School of broadcasting and took their course... "
BIO
October 2007
Second Chance
As I look back at my life I realize that today I am asking it to give me a “Second Chance”.At what you may ask ? – “at regaining every lost moment and interruption of my artistic career. Looking back throughout the years, I am constantly amazed at the different and intricate paths and situations I seem to have encountered.
Born in Alexandria, Egypt, I recall that since my very early childhood I craved the stage, music and all of the artistic aspects that follow. Educated at a British school and from the age of 6, my teachers seemed amused at my love of the arts and would regularly sneak me into their “teachers tea room’ and ask me to entertain them. I also seemed to participate in every school play and musical, and at the age of 12 had won a juniors’ singing “star search” contest.
My childhood was a happy one up until the political upheaval which occurred when President Nasser took over the country.Most foreigners were given 24 hours to leave the country empty handed.In view of what was happening and the political uncertainty in the country, my parents decided to return to their homeland, Lebanon. We lost our beautiful home and everything we owned and left Egypt with only the allowed amount of $5.00 in our pocket.
By then the shock of the loss of our home as well as everything else we owned, proved to be too much for my parents and my father’s health deteriorated rapidly.He unfortunately could no longer work and support the family.With myself being the youngest of three children and what with my eldest brother and older sister leaving Lebanon and immigrating to the United States, I thereby with my parents, had to start all over again with this time myself assuming all family responsibilities. Loving music and the arts so much, I decided I would like to work at the only radio station that Beirut had.I managed to get an appointment with the Program Director and introduced myself to him. I asked him if I could get a job at the radio station.He smiled and asked if I had ever worked at a radio station before.I said “no” but that I would like to give it a try.He brushed me off politely and suggested I go home and perhaps return within six months or so, with a few ideas for new programs – that is - if I could come up with something.
Back then, the French and English broadcasting departments were rather limited in their programming material.I went home and immediately started working on creating a few new radio shows.A week later I had written four different scripts along with their musical selections. I then went to see the Program Director again who seemed rather surprised to see me but was courteous enough to meet with me for a short while.I presented my ideas and showed him the scripts and musical selections and he seemed to like them.He looked at me and said “we have no available budget for this coming year - if you come and work for us you would be doing so without any paycheck and that could perhaps be for a year or so”.I said “fine – no problem – when can I start ?”
From there on my radio career took off and I ended up producing and presenting about five different musical radio shows with at times even more - adding up to over 25 weekly hours on the air.To name just a few, some of my shows included the top 30 hits of the week; smooth jazz; international show time music; and the interviewing - as well as the attending to - of some of the top visiting artists in Beirut, e.g. Charles Aznavour, Gilbert Becaud, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald and a host of other well known and famous personalities.
This also eventually led to my becoming a reporter and writing in three of the leading English and French magazines and newspapers. I covered most musical events, interviewed visiting artists, was responsible for a music critique column, and regularly handled investigative reporting as well writing articles about current social teenage issues in Beirut. To add more to my delight and joy, I participated in a very popular “star search” show for singers on TV.It lasted about six months with my winning the first prize.Winning landed me a five-year contract on TV with several other singing engagements and recordings to follow.
This also allowed me to host regular TV shows with local and international visiting performers and personalities. Another artistic area I also got involved in was voice-overs for commercials and radio plays.That was great fun too !The next fifteen years were the happiest - and I can say the best time of my life - and the most challenging !!!Around the early 70’s the political situation in the country started deteriorating and civil war began.Just before the war started my father passed away and I became enfolded in another nightmare. In spite of curfews imposed on all regions I personally still had todaily make sure I reached the radio station amid all the shooting and bombing which took place around us.
Some of the staff had to be there to keep the station going by broadcasting the current news, and play some musical selections while constantly alerting listeners of the current safe or unsafe neighbourhoods.As the saying goes - “the show must go on” and it did even though I was at constant risk and in danger. By then, as things deteriorated even more, my sister who had been in the United States for more than 45 years and was acitizen, immediately prepared all the relevant paperwork and sent for my mother and I to come here.
Once again we lost our home and everything we owned and which I had worked so hard for. We almost didn’t make it out but with God’s help and protection we finally did. Since then, I have felt ever so grateful and blessed to be a part of this wonderful country as well as also being very proud of being an American. Once here, I desperately tried to resume an artistic career but unfortunately to no avail.Finally needing a job to survive, I ended up at the World Bank due to my languages, with later transferring to the International Monetary Fund. Two secure positions for which I am very grateful for, but once a part of this picture - one seems to get trapped in the world of bureaucracy with no other time to do anything.
In the meantime, I endeavoured to engage here and there in a few artistic activities – namely performing on stage and being filmed for television broadcast; singing and acting as emcee at different events, and having one of my Xmas radio shows (yearly broadcast around Xmas time in Beirut), played on Xmas eve at one of Washington D.C.’s public radio station - but that was about it. About ten years ago I decided to add some ‘american broadcasting’ experience to my portfolio and thus registered and attended the radio and TV course given at the Columbia School of Broadcasting.I was missing my artistic life tremendously and life seemed so empty without it.
That is why today I have decided to ask life to give me a ”Second Chance” at doing what I love most. I am now working with an extremely talented composer called Joshua Rich and preparing the release of a CD which will incorporate some songs that I already have recordings of and newer ones that are currently being composed for me by Joshua. One of my favorite songs that he has already composed for me is so fittingly named “Second Chance” and portrays my life story in a nutshell.
Today after having taken early retirement, I made a commitment to give myself this “Second Chance” and to regain to the best of my ability the joys of an artistic career. I also know and realize that perhaps anyone reading this autobiography might fear that just being a radio trainee will not prove sufficient for me nor be to my liking due to my past life experiences but believe me it will.I also fully and clearly understand that to re-start a career one must be willing to step on the bottom rung of the ladder and if necessary gradually go up step by step.I also know that I still have so very much to discover in this field and would be more than happy andeager to learn all I can - and would like to thank anyone who is ready and willing to take me by the hand to do so.
I therefore do hope ……….. to be given a “Second Chance."
INTERVIEW REPORT
November 5, 2007
Here is a report about the interview I had at WPFW 89.3 Pacifica Radio, on Tuesday October 30th at 11:00 a.m.with Andy Yorke Production Coordinator.
A friend drove me there and I arrived about a half hour earlier. It did not seem to be a problem, for as soon as Andy Yorke knew of my presence, he immediately came to greet me and took me to his studio. He was very gracious and welcomed me warmly. He began talking about what we would start doing together - and that was - working at the board and editing Radio shows. He said he would provide me with an editing software so that I could practice at home.
He also asked me all about my earlier career. He wanted to know a lot of details and seemed pleased with what I had done. He also specifically wanted to know about the Radio shows I had produced and presented on the air. I told him all about it and mentioned that one of my shows was an international program where I introduced artists and songs from all over the world. I also said that I had recently recorded a demo of this program as well as of another one.
He immediately asked me if I had the demo with me as he would like to hear it. I told him I did not - but would bring it with me next time I came and would greatly appreciate his opinion and critique of it. He said he most certainly would do that.
He then took me all around the radio station introducing me to the general manager, the program director and a host of other dee jays. They were all very welcoming and friendly. They asked Andy "so this is your new intern?" he smiled and said "yes". They then told me that I was in the best of hands.
Back in his studio, Andy told me to make sure that the others knew of my past working experience. I hesitated and told him I wouldn't know how to go about it considering they might misunderstand it as bragging. He nevertheless insisted I do just that. I guess I will need your expertise and advice on that issue, Phillip..
He asked me how I would be coming to the station every week and when he knew that I would be coming by cab, wanted to know how much I would be paying for the round trip. When I told him $30.00, he seemed very concerned about it, saying it was too much for me to pay. I nevertheless told him not to worry about it and not allow it to become an issue, considering I would be willing to come as often as he saw fit.
He then explained that many of the people working there were volunteers and that there were only 13 paid staff considering it was a public radio station. I told him I knew that and understood the situation very well and was comfortable with it.
To make a long story short - he wants me to come once a week. Everything went very well indeed and my first day there will be the day after tomorrow - Wednesday the 7th of November. I must be there at 8:45 a.m. to start at 9:00 a.m.
I am really very excited and looking forward to that experience. Thank you, Phillip, ever so much for being there at every step of the way. It means a lot to me.
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