MY CUSTOM TRAILER FROM DON LaFONTAINE

For years, attendees of my International Radio Creative & Production Summit had suggested that I get Don LaFontaine to be a guest speaker. Only one problem: Don and I had never met nor had any kind of contact, and I was a too intimidated to call him up.

Finally I reminded myself of the counsel I always give others: “Don’t say no for the other person; let them say yes or know for themselves.” I believe that was in 2006.

Don was quite nice to me, but we had a schedule conflict that year. He said, “If you still want me, I’d be glad to participate in 2007…if I’m still alive.”

I assumed that was just a flippant reference to his having reached the age of Not As Young As I Used To Be.

The stars appeared to align much more efficiently in 2007, and Don officially became part of that year’s Summit program.

One morning less than a week before the Summit, the telephone rang the moment I came into the office. It was Don LaFontaine, calling with palpable chagrin and regret to explain that he wouldn’t be able to make it.

At my request, he recorded an audio explanation for me to pass along to the attendees. (I wrote the opening line, and Don took it from there.)

When he called, it was obvious that Don was stricken at having to bail out on such short notice. He kept apologizing.

Finally I said, “Don, trust me: If I could find a way to spin this situation so that I could get mad at you, I would. But I can’t figure out any way to blame you for this, so don’t worry about it. Have a safe trip, and say hello to Riley for me.”

Don, it was an honor to know you.