Name: Walley Schneider
Hometown: Bird Island, Minnesota (Population 1,200…Still)
Years in Radio: 43. I was spinning records on turntables before CD’s and computers
What I love about Working in Radio:
I go public and celebrate as a Broadcaster, Announcer, and a People Person. This is all I ever wanted to do. From my homestead Bird Island, Minnesota… I dreamed big, beyond the corn rows and didn’t look back. I was 19 at my first job in Radio at WMIQ/WIMK in Iron Mountain, Michigan. I’ve lived in 6 states, 13 different radio stations, in 43 years. Wow is right. It wasn’t easy but the rewards always out numbered the disappointments. Today…I’m right where I need to be in Newark, Ohio at WCLT – I STILL love what I do.
Outside of Work I am Usually:
Hangin’ with Grandkids and Friends, Bourbon Hunting, Playing records, Flea Markets, Gardening, Scrap Booking.
Something Most People Don’t Know about Me:
I raised four boys (myself). My ride for years was a mini van. Yep, I was a geeky traveling Dad. Did the Road trips that included taking them to the Black Hills, South Dakota to see the Badlands and Mount Rushmore, Lake Itasca State park in northern Minnesota where the Mississippi River begins. Oh…then there was a 3200 mile / 10 day trip to Washington DC, New York City, Niagra Falls, Canada. Crazy. I really loved my kids…I never left them at a rest area.
My Favorite Musicians/Artists:
Waylon Jennings, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Sammy Hagar, AC/DC, Brooks and Dunn, Garth Brooks, to ZZ Top, Martina McBride, Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Eagles, and Alabama. Really…I have more than that.
Favorite Quotes:
“You’re a Schneider…You’ll get Caught!” Margaret Schneider (My Mom).
“Never Grow Up…Just Get Older” Wild Walley.
“At some point…you become the decisions you have made” Don Henley / Eagles.