Today is special day for me. Today, is my 5,000th radio show. Not 5,000th on SONiC; since I started in 1997. That’s a lot of shows. Jay Leno retired after 4,610. The legendary Johnny Carson was on TV for 30 years, even he maxed out at 4,531. I’m comparing myself to either, it’s just a frame of reference.

Even calling what I do on the radio, a “show”, seems like maybe I’m glamourizing it. Sure, some days it’s a show. We’ve talked to Grammy-winning artists, world class actors, and athletes. We discuss topics. Other times though, there’s a tornado warning, the Whitemud is flooded or something and it feels more like I’m making announcements on the intercom of a GIANT Walmart.

I got a text the other day from SONiC Boy Chris that said “do you realize that you’ll have been on the air for 20,000 hours? And played 350,000 songs?” Malcolm Gladwell, said you need 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to be an expert at something. I’m now at double that and I’m still learning.

I’ve told some interesting stories, said some funny things here and there, but I hurt some people too. I remember a story about an investment broker in one city I worked in. He conned people out of millions and then fled the country. I joked about how he was the Grinch that stole Christmas. People thought it was hilarious. I thought it was hilarious. Until his wife showed up at the radio station with pictures of their kids. Kids who were getting teased about it at school. Kids who’s dad just up and left. It was 10 years ago. I still think about it.

So while talking about doing my 5,000th show may seem like I’m throwing myself a birthday party, I assure you, it’s not. I’m sure nobody showed up with a cake when you fired up the Mig-welder for the 5,000th time. This is quite simply my sincerest, heartfelt thank you for the privilege of your listenership.

Filed under: 5000 shows, layne mitchell