Today's guest will be inducted into our Hall of Fame at this year's Banquet. His classmates know him has "Happy" Dave Dwyer, but now his listeners on SiriusXM's Busted Halo show know him as Father Dave Dwyer.
Before he got either nickname, he arrived in Syracuse and joined WJPZ, just using his given name on the air. And it wasn't until he started using his nickname from Lawrinson, "Happy Dave," that he really got his footing. This was just before WJPZ launched on the FM dial. Soon, he had the Friday afternoon shift, which became the Happy Dave Happy Hour. But station management knew he could do even more. They tapped him to be the anchor of the "Cra-Z Morning Crew," complete with a rotating cast of characters.
While radio was one of Happy Dave's passions, he also loved television, particularly directing. He was a mainstay at UUTV, and following graduation, he went back to the place he'd interned as student - MTV. He worked on their long-form programming, including Rockumentaries and the Unplugged series. He then got involved with the launch of Comedy Central, quickly getting to know the likes of Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, David Spade, Ray Romano, and more. In fact, many comedians would invite him to shows because of Dave's unique, contagious laugh. He tells a story of being virtually the only one in the room laughing when Adam Sandler debuted "Opera Man" on Saturday Night Live.
In 1993, Dave was between gigs. He'd always been close with his Catholic faith, and he some folks from his church group went to World Youth Day in Denver, a huge event that would include Pope John Paul II. At that event, Dave felt a calling to the ministry. He joined the Paulist Fathers Mission and started the process of becoming an ordained priest. He tells his side of the story of him calling Dr. Rick Wright to share this news.
The Paulist Fathers have always been very involved with media - having done radio, and television. So Father Dave started a podcast. Around this time, satellite radio was expanding their programming, and he offered to fill the overnight slot with his pod. But when they heard the CD, they offered him a prime time evening spot, where he's been for 16 years.
We spend some time talking about the power of radio, particularly talk radio, and the deep connection it can create with listeners. Father Dave talks about some of the more memorable feedback he's received. And now his producer is also a fellow JPZ'er, Krista LePard from the Class of 2012.
You can listen to Father Dave and Krista on the Busted Halo Show on SiriusXM, Channel 129, Monday-Thursday nights, from 6-8pm Eastern.
Podcast Solutions by Dan Klass: https://www.amazon.com/Podcast-Solutions-Complete-Guide-Podcasting/dp/1590595548
Join Us in Syracuse for Banquet on March 4th: https://bit.ly/WJPZ50BanquetTickets
The WJPZ at 50 Podcast is produced by Jon Gay '02 and JAG in Detroit Podcasts
Want to be on the show? Email JAG at jag@jagpodcastproductions.com
Connect with the WJPZ Alumni Association: https://wjpzalumniassociation.org/
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