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 hen
NRO asked me if I wanted to submit a piece on Rush I was initially
disinclined for fear of sounding self-indulgent. But with the outpouring
of support from his fans and their various concerns and questions
I agreed to share a bit from the personal side. So here goes.
Ever since
I can remember my brother Rush has had a passion for broadcasting.
Though we were avid baseball fans, he listened to Cardinal radio
broadcasts as much to study the style and verve of broadcast legend
Harry Caray as to follow the game itself.
When we were
very young Rush persuaded our parents to buy him a Remco Caravelle,
a little toy that served as a mini-broadcast studio. That little
device enabled Rush to simulate his own radio broadcasts and actually
transmit them over the AM radio waves within the confines of our
home. Our parents dutifully and indulgently listened downstairs
as Rush held forth from our bedroom on the second floor.
One day he'd
be a DJ, spinning records and imitating his childhood DJ idol, Larry
Lujak of Chicago's 50,000-watt blowtorch, WLS. The next he would
call a baseball game as he watched it on TV with the sound muted.
Rush constantly
listened to the radio for music, sports, and genuine fascination
with the medium. As he listened to the experts he closely studied
their voices and technique. While he had fun doing it he was also
in serious preparation for his career ambition. He had a singular
focus from a very early age that never left him.
Though he was
always sure what he wanted to do, he encountered many obstacles
along the way. Our dad didn't object to him pursuing broadcasting
and didn't pressure him to follow family tradition and become a
lawyer, as many have suggested. But he was adamant that Rush complete
his college education.
As Rush has
explained many times, he knew what he wanted to do and was too impatient
to be deterred by four full years of college. So he jumped at his
first opportunity to make it in a major radio market, leaving for
Pittsburgh when he was 20 years old. But the obstacles continued.
Rush knew from
an early age that he could thrive in radio if allowed to follow
his instincts. But time after time his various program directors
resisted his unorthodox approach and fierce independence. Rush's
admitted insubordination was a product of knowing that if he toed
the line his creativity would be stifled and he would never stand
apart from the pack.
After a succession
of mostly self-imposed firings he finally got a break when he landed
at KFBK in Sacramento. Unlike any of his previous employers, this
one gave him free reign and allowed him virtual autonomy over his
own program. The results were almost immediate and phenomenal.
His ratings
skyrocketed and he became a celebrity in the Sacramento area. During
his four years there he further refined his skills and the shtick
that would catapult him to national fame and 650 radio stations
just a few years later.
There are two
main points I want to make from all of this. The first is that Rush
has had an unyielding determination to excel in broadcasting since
we were young children. The second is that he has never permitted
any obstacle, no matter how formidable, to defeat him and frustrate
his professional aspirations. That will not change now.
When he first
told me about his rapidly deteriorating hearing I assumed that it
would be a temporary condition. As it continued to degenerate I
became more concerned. Then, when he told me a few weeks ago that
he was virtually deaf I felt like I'd been kicked in the gut, vicariously
and actually. The revelation was especially heartbreaking considering
that he had enthusiastically reported to me just two short days
before that his new hearing aids had greatly improved his hearing.
Rush has never
been one to wear his emotions on his sleeve and it was no different
in this case. I asked him if he was scared and he admitted that
he was a little, but that he was prepared to deal with whatever
the final outcome of this would be. The courage he is showing through
this is remarkable.
The outpouring
of sympathy and support has been phenomenal. Only one twisted, sadistic
e-mailer expressed glee to me over Rush's misfortune.
But it wasn't
until our mother's best friend dropped by my house that the profundity
of this truly hit home for me. I could tell by the look on her face
when she walked in that Mary Kinder was devastated by Rush's news.
What was apparent to me even before she admitted it was that she
was also carrying the burden of what would be our mom's excruciating
pain over this had she not passed away a year and a half ago.
As I thought
of mother a part of me was grateful that she wasn't here to suffer
through this. She always believed in Rush and unconditionally supported
him. On the other hand, if she were still here, she would be the
first to tell you that he would overcome this trial too.
This is a very
serious blow for anyone, but especially for a broadcast professional.
Thankfully, it is not life threatening and there are ways he can
compensate. In fact I am confident that Rush will rise to this challenge
and soar to new heights in his profession. His passion and sense
of humor abound and he's determined to press forward.
My main concern
has to do with the quality of his personal life if his situation
doesn't improve. His ability to communicate with his wife and friends
will be impaired, as will certain simple pleasures such as listening
to music. But I have no doubt he'll do fine because of his indomitable
spirit and the support and prayers of his family, friends, staff,
partners, and not least, his incredible fans.
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