But, there is someone very special that I would like to thank today. Since April of 2009, I’ve been alluding to my “Sun Tzu” or “Yoda” radio mentor on this blog and Facebook. He never told me not to reveal his identity, but it was for the best to keep it on the QT. I learned pretty quickly that there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes in the radio world and yours truly certainly did not want to piss anyone off. New Orleans is a small city and the radio world is even smaller. It is Jim Brown.

When I was given my radio show, I had a total of a half hour of training with then producer, Daniel French (now with Man Cow), and then it was a go. I was told to do whatever I wanted and just have fun. My show constantly evolved and often times, became frustrated with myself. My husband was a decent critic, but sometimes you need more than that (plus he was biased). Eric listened from time to time and was wonderful about giving me pointers and tips. I knew that my internet presence and radio show needed to merge to capitalize on my strengths. I’d been following and listening to Jim Brown for some time, so in February of 2009 I reached out to him and asked for some advice. I had been a guest on his show discussing Soldiers’ Angels and we both contribute to Louisiana Conservative, so it did not seem too awkward to approach him. Well…this wonderful man, with a colorful Louisiana history, took my request very seriously. He took his role as mentor very seriously and took time out of his busy schedule to listen and analyze my shows and blog. He either called me or wrote me to give me feedback. He believed and still does, that I have something unique to give the airwaves. That honestly means the world to me! We still have never met in person, but Jim Brown is very special for taking me under his wing. Please sign up for his weekly columns and read his books!

Jim – thank you form the bottom of my heart! Looking forward to meeting you in person someday!

* January 2007 Moved to Mandeville, Louisiana
* April 2007 Began writing for NOLA.com
* April 2007 Began volunteering with Soldiers’ Angels
* August 2007 Began hitting the airwaves for Soldiers’ Angels
* August 2007 was a guest on Jim Brown and Eric Asher’s shows regarding Soldiers’ Angels
* August 2007 I was asked to be a guest on Andre’ Trevigne’s radio show for a new Friday women’s rountable. I was a repeat guest for this.
* February 2008 Approached Eric Asher of WIST to see if there was any room on his station for a 40 year old housewife who had fallen in love with radio. He brought me in to meet the station manager Dan Frazier, and the Kiss My Gumbo radio show was born on April 19, 2008.
* January 2010 my show finally went off air. Dan and Eric have been so wonderful and I will always be grateful for the opportunity they gave me.

This past Saturday on my radio show, I tackled the very complex and controversial topic of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT).” Rep Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) introduced the Military Readiness Enhancement Act in March that would repeal DADT and ultimately change military rules to allow homosexuals to openly serve in the military. Rep Patrick Murphy (D-PA) has since replaced Ellen Tauscher and his background as the first Iraq War Veteran to serve in Congress has given more credibility to the Military Readiness Enhancement Act. The Obama administration has been extremely radical in its’ first few months in office, and I’m actually a little relieved that the Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, has announced that this piece of legislation will be placed on the backburner for the time being to allow for more discussion on the subject and to put higher priority items in the front of the queue. The new Dover Policy which allows media to attend homecomings of fallen heroes, has already been implemented (I am very opposed to this);proposed defense budget cuts have been introduced; and privatizing Veteran’s health care has already come on and thankfully off the table.

I research an average of three hours for my one hour of radio. Part of my research is to place my upcoming subject matter on Facebook, Twitter and my blogs to get other opinions on the subject matter. Opinions on DADT were all over the place and I was pleasantly relieved to read only constructive arguments about homosexuals being able to serve openly in the military. Personally, I had not formed an opinion on this policy because I never felt it my place to tell the men and women in uniform who they should serve with. I figured that our military is the best in the world and others strive to be like us. Who am I as Jane Shmo citizen to say what should or should not be policy? Since Clinton’s failed attempt to allow homosexuals to openly serve in the military 1993, “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” or HR 1283 was put in place. This did not change the military rules that ban homosexuality, but allowed those who wished to “stay in the closet” while serving or upon signing up, to do so. Some considered “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” as a step in the right direction while others were against it. Since DADT was implemented, about 13,000 have still been discharged from the military for homosexuality.

My guest on my show Paul McNeal, a former sailor who left the military as he was tired of having to hide his personal life, said that he could not open a letter from his love interest for fear of retaliation while being deployed. I personally can’t imagine serving my Country as a gay American and having to keep my private life so separate that I could not even tell anyone who I was dating that night. I can’t imagine having to suppress part of my identity, it would be like serving as less than yourself. The whole “drop the soap” in the shower argument from heterosexual males who are against homosexual males serving, seems so old fashioned. As Paul explained, this is not what the Military Readiness Enhancement Act is about, it is about being a professional in the military and not having to hide one’s identity. As for women, well my first profession was in the field of athletics and working around gay women never bothered me one bit. Whatever the reason, I don’t think allowing women to openly serve as gay would phase many people at all. Personally, I think that the younger generation would be less likely to be opposed to openly gay men and women in the military than the older generations. I think times have changed and homosexuality is more mainstream than it was when I was a kid. Maybe 2009 is not the right time to overturn this policy, while some of our men and women in uniform are on their third and fourth tour. Why throw another iron into the fire? Why complicate things even more in the middle of the war?

I hope the Military Readiness Enhancement Act can wait a little longer to be pushed through Congress. If it were implemented tomorrow, men and women who are deployed would be unlikely to immediately tell their comrades that they are gay. It is inevitable that the policy of allowing openly gay men and women to serve in the military will happen, most likely under a socially liberal administration and with the climate of cultural changes and tolerance in America. It seems like Secretary Gates is fine with not rushing into this and that is just fine with me for now too.

c/p at Hooah Wife and Friends and Louisiana Conservative

So let’s back up here just a bit, yours truly, at the age of 40, sits down with a radio station personality and manager and ask if they will give me a shot on the air on AM 690 WIST Radio out of New Orleans. Miraculously, they agree to give me a weekly hour of air time and voila’ – a show is born. My background is in Exercise Science and Education, so I was not familiar with this industry nor am I familiar with sales!!! No coaching, no training, just go…. So since April of 2008 I have been running a weekly one hour show that is divided into 2 segments. Each segment I try and bring on the most eclectic assortment of guests. I’ve had a Congressman, Veterans, a Grammy award winning singer, authors, fashion experts, face readers, musicians, artists and everything in between. I work about 3 hours during the week, booking and researching guests – for FREE – no money – nada! If given the opportunity, I would do just about anything for a weekday chance. But…as I learn about this tough industry, I realize that I need to keep going on the weekends until that opportunity presents itself.

Now you would think by knowing me in person or my reading my blog(s) that I am great at self-promotion. I will sell anyone on Soldiers’ Angels or anything to do with heroes, but I SUCK when it comes to promoting me! I am confident that I have what it takes to be in this industry and this is where you come in dear reader. If I don’t get a show sponsor – the show is history – fine’ – put a fork in me I am done on the airwaves!

If you have a business and would like to invest in me, now is the chance. The advertising package is very reasonable for what you get in return. Not only will you get live advertisement on my show but you will be linked on WIST. You get lots of stuff added into that package and guess what – I still do not get paid! It is all about keeping myself on the air to bring a different kind of show to you. ALL offers are on the table, so if you have a business, organization or anything that could use some promotion – we can talk! gretaperry@gmail.com (985)807-4805

* Still excited about the Veterans radio show I had this past weekend. Why? Because I realize that by having radio as a platform, there is a way I can help (even if just a little bit). You can listen here.

* Had fun at a Tweetup Saturday night. Twitter.com is an on-line community. The NOLA “twitterers” got together for a little holiday party. @kissmygumbo if you join.

* Don’t forget NORAD Santa & North Pole.com.
* Proud that I helped get an offensive video removed from the web last week. It offended me greatly as it was very insulting to our wounded heroes.

* No snow this week – 60′s yippee!!! One day of snow a year is welcome here – the kids can’t stop talking about it.

* Organizing tip of the day – start a yard sale pile before Santa comes!!!

EVERYONE can tune in each and every Saturday morning to WIST Radio – AM 690 for my New Orleans and Gulf Coast friends – 9:00-10:00 AM central time and listen live! The call in numbers are 1-800-888-WIST or (504)260-0690

My first half hour, Christin Lougarakis will be join me in studio (Happy Birthday Christin – she turns 40 today). She was born in Milwaukee but lived in New Orleans most her adult life. Katrina changed that for her and she has been trying to get out of Milwaukee ever since. She is hosting a party at Lucky’s in New Orleans, Saturday the 6th for her Fark, NOLA & Twitter friends! @IM_x1 on Twitter and X1′shere on Fark for her 411. She is sure to be an interesting guest!

My second half hour I will have Oscar C. Donahue III joining me in studio. Oscar is a recognizable artist and New Orleans icon, who can be easily spotted in the French Market and is often referred to as “the pin guy.” His father had recently sat beside him until his passing. See the second line (a must for anyone who wants to know more about New Orleans traditions) that passed through the French Market in honor of his father here. There is so much you don’t know about Oscar as he is one interesting individual! He will be an amazing guest!!!

Here is an interview I could never carry on with a straight face (h/t hubby). Yes, it is a spoof – safe for work.

edit: had to reword something here to make more farkin sense & I didn’t save the edit – oops.