Who Is Uncle Duke?

Ever since the show went on the air a little over a week ago, several people have asked me why The Mad Music Asylum is being hosted by "Uncle Duke" instead of by your truly. My answer is always the same. It is for several reasons: first, the show is about the music, not about me so I like the fact that I keep some detachment by way of my pseudonym; also, the show is not a vanity exercise to boost an ego (I am told my ego is fine thank you very much). Secondly, I represent "that guy" in your past who turned you on to rock and roll in the first place. I could be that crazy uncle, family friend, or former college roommate of your dad who came around on occasion and introduced you to the music your parents couldn't, wouldn't, or were afraid to. I am that guy who bought you your first Beatles album, or Jimi Hendrix record, or turned you on to The Police or Nirvana. I represent "that guy" who would sit with you in your room and listen to Dark Side of the Moon with you, while the other adults were downstairs watching TV or having their evening libation. And finally, I will admit, I am a big fan of the Doonesbury comic strip and I always liked the Uncle Duke character. He was "that guy" who lived outside of the norm who tended to fall in to situations like the time he hired as the GM of the Washington Redskins or the time he was named the Governor of American Samoa. Duke lived on the fringes but things always seemed to work out for him. So to answer the question, I am "that guy" who you don't really know but you might respect and admire even though you won't admit it in public.                    --Rock on!

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