Hey, I’m the “new guy” here at 100.5 The River. We’ll get to hang out for part of your workday and the drive home while you’re listening to Today’s Best Mix without the rap. Some people asked “why would you move HERE?” when I started. I answer that question with disbelief and realize that people in GR simply don’t realize what a great city they have. Grand Rapids is just a fantastic city. The people, the downtown, the festivals, the philanthropy of our ‘famous families’ … the list goes on and on. The VIBE of this city is just incredible. Those who say “why would you move HERE?” clearly don’t realize how crappy most other similar sized cities are compared to GR. We moved here from the vibrant and clean city (#sarcasm) of Toledo, OH where I was the Operations Manager for six radio stations. Before that, I was on-air or programming stations in Philadelphia, New York City, Milwaukee, Madison, Cedar Rapids (Iowa) and Waterloo (Iowa). My wife and I met in Madison and were married four days after 9/11. We have two “furry kids” named Ollie (yellow lab/bassett/corgi) and Chester (bassett). I’m also the Program Director for Channel 95-7 and 100.5 The River, so if you have any comments, suggestions or complaints (I welcome compliments, too), just email or call me!
Tom Cook
Saturday Night in GR
It was almost 3 1/2 years ago that I first visited Grand Rapids while doing a project for the company I worked for at that time. My first impression of the city was the Van Andel Arena and the Amway Grand Hotel; the next morning, I was impressed to see people skating at Rosa Parks Circle...
Funny: A Michigan Map
One of my Facebook friends posted this today. I got a pretty good laugh out of it, only because it seems like every state has some similar myopic view.
When I lived in Milwaukee, the running joke was "What's a Wisconsinite definition of coast to coast? Driving from Milwaukee to LaCrosse." And there was a lot of truth to that.
Kid Rock “Care” Video
Check out the fantastic new song and video from KID ROCK called "Care".
We're playing it on 95-7, but not the country-fied version you hear in this video!
Sneakers or “Tennis Shoes”?
Since I'm new to Michigan, I have to know ... are they "tennis shoes" or "sneakers"?
I always called them tennis shoes until I lived in Philadelphia; at a radio station event, I called them "tennies" and the mom looked at me as though I had three heads. On the east coast, they are "sneakers."
Muppet Memories
My wife and I went to see The Muppets on Sunday afternoon. Yeah it was out Thanksgiving weekend; we wanted to go then, but didn't make it. Since that time it's been a constant barrage of "life getting in the way."
My favorite Muppets were the Swedish Chef, Beaker and Statler & Waldorf (the old guys in the balcony). I always enjoyed the old guys because, even as a kid, I liked to b
Fred Meijer Public Visitation
Everywhere on radio, TV or Facebook, there are stories and links about Fred Meijer. Maybe you've seen or heard the stories. Maybe you've shopped in one his many stores. Maybe both.
And maybe hearing the stories has made you think "wow, he was a normal person that I probably would've gotten along with." Such was the case for my wife and I. (We also are interested in his business backgr
Best Car Crash Description EVER
Too often, TV reporters get someone who is afraid to talk on camera, too scared to speak normally or just flat out not interesting.
Do you remember Antoine Dodson, the "hide your kids, hide your wife" guy? He was entertaining and didn't try to be...
I Don’t Watch Sports…And That’s Okay.
I'll be the first to stand up and say I don't really give a crap about sports. Of any kind. I also suck at sports. Of any kind. Weightlifting? No problem. Anything with ball or bat? No way.
My wife is way better at sports than I am (she also drinks beer and I don't, but that's another story)...
Parking Wars: GR
Okay, maybe not "Parking Wars" as we've seen on TV. Although the fine is pretty outrageous, I can't argue or complain. The GRPS people are doing their job. And it's not like I came out to a boot or someone towing my car.
I fed the meter at 12:55 and had a lunch interview with a potential employee...
Check The Calories AFTER You’ve Eaten Cookie Dough…
Last night after the "KO Cancer" event at the JW Marriott, my wife and I went to find some food. When all three of the places we wanted to hit on 44th Street were closed, we opted to grab some frozen pizza at Family Fare.
During our run through the store for pizza, we spotted EGG NOG. We grabbed it. We also had a craving for COOKIE DOUGH. So we grabbed that too.
Unhealthy? You bet.
Embarrassing Work Moments
A few days ago I was on the phone interviewing a candidate for a job opening when my chair slid out from underneath me and I slammed to the floor. On the way down, the phone slid up my face and my right arm caught the armrest on the chair, leaving nice scrapes and some bruising.
For The Love Of God, Get Out Of The Left Lane!
Let me preface this by saying I'm not a patient person. I've been accused of having road rage once or twice. And I probably drive faster than most people, most of the time. But that doesn't make it any more acceptable for you to drive slow in the left lane...