I rocked Iraq
I was Iraq’s first rock & roll disc jockey. That’s a hell of a claim - but true. 2004 Camp Freedom Mosul Iraq. Brian & Kellie have an "in" with the public affairs unit and discover they’ll sign on what they’re gonna call Radio TFO-FM 94.6. TFO as in Task Force Olympia. The station intends to transmit information to military personnel. I ask if they intend to broadcast music. They hadn’t really considered it. The stations reach is Mosul Iraq & 15 miles in all directions. I suggest they program music and offer to send complete shows on CD. They take me up on the offer -agreeing to broadcast the shows. The Iraqi people have never heard American Rock & Roll radio. In June, July & August 2004, they finally did. Adrian Cronauer yelled "Good Morning Vietman" in the 60’s. His broadcasts originated from the structured AFRTS. 35 years later, using a briefcase transmitter, I was the first to scream, "Good Morning Iraq!" I wanted to give away a goat to the 9th caller. I was told maybe that wasn’t a good idea.
