Because of my background in theater and radio acting, I knew that I could make a living as an actor.

Interestingly, songs used to be short, then they became longer, and now they're getting shorter.

For years everyone looked toward the demise of radio when television came along. Before that, they thought talking movies might eliminate radio as well. But radio just keeps getting stronger.

My first commercial was for Miller High Life beer.

Despite all the technical improvements, it still boils down to a man or a woman and a microphone, playing music, sharing stories, talking about issues -- communicating with an audience.

But otherwise, music is about a beat and a message.

I started radio in 1950 on the Lone Ranger radio program, a dramatic show that emanated from Detroit when I was 18 years old and just beginning college. I did that for a couple of years.