Hello, My Name Is: Dave Read

Ever wonder about your neighbors? Why not strike up a conversation with them like we do every week in “Hello, My Name Is…”. We have a twist with our story this week, because we are talking with a man who has one of the most recognizable VOICES on the Cape, and he has been sharing stories with us for 40 years! You know his voice, but how well do you know the man BEHIND the voice? 

Hello, My Name Is: Dave Read

Occupation: WOCN, Ocean104.7 Morning DJ and commercial producer

 

What was your first paying job?

I worked for three summers in Albany NY, processing applications for NY Regents (state college) scholarships. Each of the 35 students in the room was expected to check a minimum of 500 two-sided applications per day. They came tied up with green string. They gave us red pencils to check applicants’ math on their income statements – mentally – there were no calculators back then! The best part of this job was the funny names we came across. We actually kept a shared list of them and voted on the weirdest ones: Lyte Bulb, Hamilton Sandwich, Harry Jock, YoYo Ma(yes THAT one!) and some others which I won’t repeat in mixed company!

When was the last time you laughed really hard? Why?

Lots of laughs on YouTube and Facebook with all the memes and videos out there. My beagle watches with me!

 

Did you grow up on the Cape? 

I was born in Albany, then moved to Schenectady/Niskayuna starting in 4th grade. My 50th Niskayuna High School reunion is this fall!

I went to Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, where I met my future wife Elaine. We were there until 1979, when I got my job here with WQRC… it’ll be 40 years as of August 20th this year! And we still have the original orange Formica studios! Orange is the new black, I’m told…… Recently, a kitchen designer came in to record a commercial and exclaimed, “Oh, aren’t we au courant here!”

 

 

Where is your ‘go-to’ spot for a scoop of ice cream?

Our favorite place was Ice Cream Sandwich but it had to close last year when they lost their lease. (They are hoping to find a new location for next year.) After that, I guess it’s Ben & Jerry’s and Four Seas Ice Cream.

Do you have a favorite non-profit group here on the Cape? 

I do websites for a lot of non-profits on the Cape. Hard to pick a favorite but I think the Cape Cod Council of Churches ranks up there with all the fine work they do to help needy Cape Codders, especially ABabyCenter.org

 

What is the one thing you love to do that surprises people the most?

Tell puns? No… maybe it’s the work I do for those non-profits. I keep that pretty quiet.

 

In a parallel universe, what would you be doing? 

Maybe a photographer? I do love to shoot photos and edit them on my Mac computer. I also enjoy helping friends with their Macs.

 

What person had the greatest influence on you and why?

In my radio career, I have to name two people: Bill Edwardson who was the morning host on WGY in Schenectady. He was the first guy I remember who made me laugh at a young age. The other was NBC newsman, David Brinkley. Both had a sly, droll sense of humor that showed through only occasionally, but kept you listening for more.

 

If I looked in your refrigerator right now, what would I see?

Lots of bottles of water from the Sandwich town spring. We drink a lot of it, especially in hot weather. The beagle loves it nice and cold, too! She comes running when I fill her dish!

donotuse

You can fish for stripers from the beach, a bridge or a pier, or a boat.

If you could go out on a boat fishing for a day, who would you bring (this could be someone from the past or present day)?

My dad. He used to take me fishing in a car-top aluminum boat. Once, he took me and a friend all the way up to Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. Pretty wild and rugged country there. He hired a local guide who took us out to remote islands where he built a fire and cooked the fish we had caught for lunch. Funny, one of the things I still remember is the brown paper bag of flour, salt and pepper the guide put the fish in….a homemade “Shake and Bake”! (And we helped!)

We are always looking for new people to feature in “Hello, My Name Is…”. If you know an interesting member of the Cape community, please send us their name: [email protected]. When possible, please include their contact information and a little about them.
Thank you!
Want to meet a few other folks? Click here:

Wendy Brown, General Manager, Barnstable County Fairgrounds

Betsy Rich, Marketing Director, Hy-Line Cruises 

Hilary Green, Red Cross of Cape Cod, The Islands and Southeastern Massachusetts 
Dean Melanson, Deputy Chief Hyannis Fire (Retired)
Bridget Eklund, The Math Learning Center
Tom Bednark, Barnstable Bat Company
Alice Cartier, Home Health Aide
Aanjes Hershfield, Brazen Belles
Freeman Johnson, WWII Navy Veteran 

About Cat Wilson

Cat Wilson is "That Girl" on Cape Country 104 – a Cape Cod native and longtime Cape radio personality. She is a passionate supporter of Military and Veteran causes on the Cape and also hosts local music spotlight program, “The Cheap Seats” on Ocean 104.7.



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