Weekends on WXPN

We quizzed Dan about the top ten things he'd want XPN listeners to know about him.

Born & Raised

Jersey... (insert random Jersey joke here). Seriously folks, it's not a bad state. Oh, and I drive "quite well, thank you."

First Record Purchased

I think it had to be From the Muddy Banks of The Wishkah from Nirvana. Or, maybe Van Halen's Fair Warning. Although my first contact with a lot of the music I still love today was on a cassette tape that my sister made for me entitled The Best of Daniel. It had The Beatles, They Might Be Giants, The Monkees, and Simon & Garfunkel.

First Concert

I went to a lot of local shows growing up - venues ranging from churches to under freeways! When I was really little I saw Peter, Paul & Mary with my fam. But my first real concert ever was probably when a friend won tickets from a local station to see They Might Be Giants here in Philly.

Favorite Bands/Artists

I'll give you a few. For the sake of space... here are some of my staples: Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix, John Coltrane, Nirvana, Genesis, Brand X, Simon & Garfunkel, Charlie Parker, They Might Be Giants, King Crimson, Miles Davis, Dead Kennedys, Django Reinhardt, Jimmy Smith, The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Yes...

Favorite Local Bands

Some of my favorites are: G Love, Jimmy Smith, Mutlu, Jaco Pastorius, Dr. Dog, Dead Milkmen, Amos Lee

Bands Dan Has Played In

I was actually in a band that went on tour opening for R.E.M. No. That's a lie. That never happened. I am, however, an avid guitar player, and have played guitar in a lot of bands (any worth mentioning? no), but for now I'm happy spending my weekends jammin' with friends.

Favorite Movie

Most definitely, Sweet and Lowdown (awesome movie), Sleeper, That Thing You Do, The Deer Hunter, Bananas, Airheads, Platoon, Manhattan, and almost every single Bond movie ever made. I'm sorry, but Quantum Of Solace was just not that good.

Favorite People

My family, and Bryan, my guitar teacher while growing up, who introduced me to so many great types of music, especially prog rock and fusion!

How Dan Got into Radio

I've wanted to be in radio for as long as I can remember. While I was growing up, radio was king in my home. I woke up to the radio, came home from school and listened to the radio, went to sleep listening to the radio. And one day I realized "Hey, I want to be on the other side of that speaker!" I started when I was 17 at Camden County College's radio station, WDBK. That's where I hosted the infamous (not really) "Danny G Morning Show". After that I was hooked.

Where the Radio Persona "Danny G" Was Born... and Promptly Died:

WDBK, my first gig behind a mic!
WMGK - Rank: Intern... "Do you take sugar in your coffee?"
WFPG - Where I had a short stint on the air in commercial radio. Oh the weather jingles.
WRTI - Hosted jazz for about 5 years. Philly is a quintessential jazz city; there is so much history here.

College:

Temple University. I double majored in Broadcasting Telecommunications/Mass Media and Spanish aka Español

A Few More Things You Didn't Know About Dan:

Apart from radio, one of my dreams was to be a professional musician, playing jazz guitar.
I feel that cheese wiz shouldn't be anywhere near a Philly cheesesteak (spoken like a true Jersey guy). Just my opinion. No angry phone calls!
If it's the summer and I have a day off, chances are you'll find me fishing.
I really like to cook, but especially love grilling! And none of that fancy propane either. It's got to be charcoal.

Dan's Best of 2008 List from XPN's 2009 Year In Review