Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Catching Up With the Duff Man

Most Omahans will remember Dan Duffy for his run as an evening and late-night jock on Z-92 (KEZO 92.3 FM) back in the 1990s. But the radio veteran has been heard on several other stations, including Lincoln’s KFOR-AM and KTGL-FM, where he most recently was on the air.

Duffy, whose first on-air gig was in 1980, was recently a victim of budget cuts and is now working outside of the radio business for the first time since 1986.

We recently caught up with the Duff man, who is now working at First Data, last week for a “where are they now” update.

Can you give me a little history of your radio career? Where did you start?

“My first on air gig was in 1980 at KFOR/Lincoln at the age of 16. Never took radio seriously until my early 20s after working a series of dead end jobs and playing drums in numerous cover bands after high school. I hustled my tail off to gain experience,” Duffy said in an e-mail note.

“KOTD/Plattsmouth 1989-92. KYNN ’92-’95. Z-92 (nights) /KGOR/KTGL (part time). KMGN Flagstaff, Ariz. /KDKB in Phoenix/ WRQC/Minneapolis KILO in Colorado Springs/ KSRX San Antonio and most recently KTGL 92.9 the Eagle in Lincoln.

What’s the worst blooper you’ve had on the radio?

“A few curse words from listeners (before the Janet Jackson FCC situation) – never brought attention to it. It’s live radio, it happens. I left the phone pot up while talking with a buddy one time, it was a 6-7 minute conversation and all of Omaha was listening. Unbelievably, not one F-bomb was dropped. You would think two guys on the phone would eventually drop a swear word (but) it never happened. That was three in the morning.

Who is your favorite Nebraska broadcaster of all time? Who is your favorite broadcaster nationally of all time?

“I don’t really have a favorite but I sure enjoyed listening to Z-92/ KOIL/WOW when I was a long-haired kid in the late ’70s – Rod Meyer, Jimmy O’Neil, Chuck Yates, Joe Blood, Rick Setchell. I had a chance to work with Chuck, Joe and Rick many years later at Z along with Todd and Tyler. What an honor. As a kid growing up in the late ’70s, Yates, Blood, Setchell represented ‘FM rock radio’ in Omaha and had a big influence on me. I apologize if I'm leaving anyone out.

“On a national level, in the field of rock radio: Jim Ladd/KLOS is No. 1. Jim has been a fixture of L.A. radio for nearly 40 years at KMET/ KLOS. The perfect rock-jock. Jim still works nights at KLOS. Jim has a great ear for music ... passionate about rock. I had a chance to interview Jim while working nights in Minneapolis. At the time, circa 1997, a PD buddy of mine worked across town at KLSX and had access to the KLOS hotline. I grew some balls and called the hotline and immediately got a hold of Jim. The interview was great!”

What’s in your CD player right now?

“What’s a CD player? Lol! Gotta copy of the movie ‘Heat’ in my PC. Seriously, Steely Dan’s “AJA” album is never far away ..Black Crowes’ “Amorica” is in my car CD player.”

61 comments:

Anonymous said...

He went to work for First Data? That place cuts more jobs than any radio station could ever hope to cut.

Anonymous said...

I'll take Most Obscure "Obscure Omaha" Reference for $1200 Alex.

Anonymous said...

how about an update on damien "the freak" *not*

Anonymous said...

At least the man has good taste in music - The Black Crowes "Amorica" in his CD player!

Anonymous said...

I thought the Duff Man was a Simpson's character. Oh yeah.

Anonymous said...

When you burn a ton of bridges in any industry.... you end up leaving the industry because nobody wants you anymore...

Herein lies the perfect example.

Anonymous said...

Considering the fickle nature of the business, the morons who run the business and the wages that can make slave labor look like paradise...who'd want to stay in radio that long anyway?

Anonymous said...

Whatever happened to that guy, I think his last name was Rose, who used to be on the air in Lincoln and then Wichita? Anybody heard from him lately?

Anonymous said...

He's on vacation this week...will be back at KFAB next Monday.

Anonymous said...

When did he come to KFAB? Someone had told me he got run out on a rail in Wichita and might have landed in Kansas City. I think I remember he was always full of himself, wonder if that has changed.

Anonymous said...

Not as full of himself as I am.

Sincerely,

The Perrault

Anonymous said...

Okay, I don't mean to beat the Channel 6 horse, but I heard there was a hiring freeze going on over there and the ship is sinking. Any truth to that?

Anonymous said...

Well, don't know about the hiring freeze or ship is sinking part, but Shelia Brummer's bio has been taken down... it looks like the rumors of her departure are true.

Anonymous said...

This site needs more stories about copy editors.

Anonymous said...

This site needs more stories about copy editors.

Anonymous said...

Perrault is No. 1 in Omaha now...hate away.

Anonymous said...

2:35 p.m. Thank you.

You have recognized my greatness. For that, you are accepted into my flock of followers.

I am, as I have said, and will continue to say ad infinitum on my show today, tomorrow and for as long as I have to put up with this god forsaken city,

I am NUMBER ONE!

I am NUMERO UNO!

I am

THE Perrault

Anonymous said...

2:35 p.m. Thank you.

You have recognized my greatness. For that, you are accepted into my flock of followers.

I am, as I have said, and will continue to say ad infinitum on my show today, tomorrow and for as long as I have to put up with this god forsaken city,

I am NUMBER ONE!

I am NUMERO UNO!

I am

THE Perrault

Anonymous said...

Since The Perrault, or his designated poser, is barking so loud, let's all talk about the biggest Perrault we've ever taken.

I had one the other day that looked like a wellrope.

Anonymous said...

"What's a CD player?"

What's a radio?

"Lol!"

Anonymous said...

Satellite radio, the best and only choice for quality radio. No more commercials, ROCK ON!

Anonymous said...

*Yawn*

Anonymous said...

2:35 p.m. Thank you.

You have recognized my greatness. For that, you are accepted into my flock of followers.

I am, as I have said, and will continue to say ad infinitum on my show today, tomorrow and for as long as I have to put up with this god forsaken city,

I am NUMBER ONE!

I am NUMERO UNO!

I am

THE Perrault

Anonymous said...

2:35 p.m. Thank you.

You have recognized my greatness. For that, you are accepted into my flock of followers.

I am, as I have said, and will continue to say ad infinitum on my show today, tomorrow and for as long as I have to put up with this god forsaken city,

I am NUMBER ONE!

I am NUMERO UNO!

I am

THE Perrault

Anonymous said...

2:35 p.m. Thank you.

You have recognized my greatness. For that, you are accepted into my flock of followers.

I am, as I have said, and will continue to say ad infinitum on my show today, tomorrow and for as long as I have to put up with this god forsaken city,

I am NUMBER ONE!

I am NUMERO UNO!

I am

THE Perrault

Anonymous said...

2:35 p.m. Thank you.

You have recognized my greatness. For that, you are accepted into my flock of followers.

I am, as I have said, and will continue to say ad infinitum on my show today, tomorrow and for as long as I have to put up with this god forsaken city,

I am NUMBER ONE!

I am NUMERO UNO!

I am

THE Perrault

Anonymous said...

2:35 p.m. Thank you.

You have recognized my greatness. For that, you are accepted into my flock of followers.

I am, as I have said, and will continue to say ad infinitum on my show today, tomorrow and for as long as I have to put up with this god forsaken city,

I am NUMBER ONE!

I am NUMERO UNO!

I am

THE Perrault

Anonymous said...

You don't have to repeat it -- we know that when it comes to utter stupidity and delusional myopia, The Perrault is number one.

A bad day on The Zone beats the best day on Baggy Shorts 590.

Anonymous said...

Agreed, since there only seems to be one sheep bleeting the same nonsense over and over and over again.

Anonymous said...

Careful...don't say the word "sheep" around Perrault -- it stirs some, uh, inner feelings inside his loins, if ya' know what I mean.

Anonymous said...

So, does anyone really know what happened to this Rose guy someone said is now at KFAB? I lost track of him after his KRNU days.

Anonymous said...

Here I sit, all broken hearted.

Came to Perrault but only farted.

Your turn, toilet poets.

Anonymous said...

There once was a man from Idaho...

He needed to Perrault, but didn't know where to go.

At the house of his grandma..

Who lives in Omaha....

He stank up the place, and hollered with no grace...

This Perrault was so big..it sported a wig !

The EMT's soon picked up him up..
And treated him for a bloody butt...

He asks heaven and prays every day...

He doesn't want to shit anymore anyway....

Anonymous said...

Nice work Jess. Way to go, Idaho!

Anonymous said...

The Duffster obviously has great taste in music. I wonder if Angry Wrestling Guy uses any of these tunes to get psyched up before filling up his bowl of trans fat-laced chips to snarf to construct a Perrault while watching Iron Sheik vs. Sgt. Slaughter matches on his fat, er, flat screen.

Anonymous said...

Posting one lame retrospective every two weeks on some washed-up radio star does not constitute blogging.

In other words, this is not a blog; it's a slog.

Now, we must put up with spam responses about the biggest d-bag on radio.

One of two things need to happen: 1) Sean needs to re-take over this blog. 2) everyone needs to reconnect with omanews.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

And now, a limerick for the THE Perrault:

There was a young boy from Nantucket,
whose ego was so big he could tuck it.
He said with a grin,
as he wiped off his shin,
"I whacked off on air, to Josh Beckett!"

Anonymous said...

4:34 anon: that omahanews.blogspot site is updated less than this is....and hardly anyone leaves comments on that one

Anonymous said...

Who the HELL is Dan Duffy??????
Why should we CARE about Dan Duffy?
If you really want to do a "where are they now" sort of thing catch up with Diver Dan or Mike Rivers or Don Cole - people who listeners actually cared about and recognized. not some drinking buddy of one of the "bloggers" on this blog......


BTW - rumors are circulating very strongly that another bloodbath is about to happen at FDR.

Anonymous said...

Jim,

You should have asked Dan about what he said on his last on air shift on 93.3 the Dam a few years back about TNT...now THAT would be interesting reading....too bad not too many people heard it.

Anonymous said...

Okay 3:38, why don't you tell us? Why ask Jim to do it if you have the info. You sound like a mother in law barking out orders for everyone to do things she's perfectly capable of doing.

Anonymous said...

So, I'm trolling other blogs today to see who, along with me and the bosses at Journal (read TnT), are celebrating my glory. Lo and behold I see that Husker fans are now also in love with me and others have given me total credit, as it should be, with getting the ballpark deal done for you people in Omaha.

Why won't you people on this blog recognize my awesomeness as the rest of the world has? I am top shelf baby! I am king of the world. I am the fourth member of the trinity...or what ever the fourth member would be called.

Kneel before me and kiss my ring people!

Sincerely,

The Perrault

Anonymous said...

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Anonymous said...

I agree with ron and fez, why don't you tell us ?

Anonymous said...

The other blog, isn't that just someone using the not-so-original poser name Ted Brockman and his personal diatribe against Channel 6 and Jimmy S? Boring.

Anonymous said...

I shouldn't talk about me so often, but, gosh, since I am number one and all, I'll keep doing so. But I'll do it in a different forum...like my blog!

http://www.mattperrault.blogspot.com/

See, I have my own blog while you nimrods post on other people's blog.

Losers.

Sincerely,

The Perrault
Host of the most listened to radio show in the universe

Anonymous said...

Hmmm...aka Perrault, how about you take a little look see who people find when they google "omaha blog"....it ain't you sugar plum, my blog can kick your blog's dick in the dirt.

Anonymous said...

Jess, you rock. Your blog rules and the poser blog blows rhino. I'm still concerned angry wrestling guy hasn't chimed in, and Brummer stalker has been awfully quite. Anybody hear of any good media embargos J-Dub has put out lately? Any more plans for crap circles?

Anonymous said...

ok i know this is off topic but i gotta ask if anyone say the kptm news at 9 on sunday? i noticed a story about pappas possibly closing???? i was on the phone so i couldnt hear what was said. If anyone has any facts, imput or something, i would like to know. MAYBE IT COULD BE NEW STORY ON THE BLOG?!?!?!?!?!?!?! just a suggestion

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I saw the Pappas story on the KPTM Sunday 9pm news. It sounded like they're seeking bankruptcy protection because of the tightening credit market. I think they said wouldn't be any on-air changes.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of new story ideas for the blog, Thomas Roberts (of recent fame on the Insider and CNN) is profiled in the current issue of the Advocate. The article mentions he worked in the Lincoln, NE market at one time. For those of us more recent Nebraska transplants, which station did it work at? For how long?

Anonymous said...

Ha, I knew it was oddly quiet...where are those two ? Maybe the prison cut down on internet time on the weekends...

Anonymous said...

Was the guy profiled the weather guesser who was caught glory holing at an interstate rest stop then was never heard from again?

Anonymous said...

Which rest stop? Just curious.

Sincerely,

The Perrault

Anonymous said...

Matt Perrault is Gay.

Anonymous said...

5:20 am asked "Was the guy profiled the weather guesser who was caught glory holing at an interstate rest stop then was never heard from again?"

Dunno... How long ago did that happen? I don't remember seeing him on a Lincoln TV station, but having Cox cable in Omaha I don't get to see Lincoln TV that often.

His picture is on the front cover of the Advocate. Check it out and let us know if you recognize him. You can see it online www.advocate.com ... it's the cover pic under the "Current Issue" section.

Anonymous said...

It was a weather guesser from KOLN-KGIN. After his encounter with an undercover officer at the rest stop, he mysteriously left the station. Whereabouts, unknown.

Anonymous said...

True dat 5:48 AM. And to Mr. Feltizrod - yeah, I want THAT cookie on my computer. Go check out The Advocate on line. Not falling for (or on) that one. Maybe Perrault could send you his copy when he's done with it?

Anonymous said...

Hey Feltersnatch--

Poor thing, afraid of gay cookies!! My, my, worried that 'you are what you eat'? Really, if deleting cookies is that hard then sneak into your local Barnes & Noble or Borders wearing a disguise and take a peek at the Advocate there.

No need to interrupt Perrault from watching a "Boys Gone Wild" infomercial on KXVO.

Anonymous said...

Surprised there's no mention of his time at K-ROCK (2nd coming, not RB K-Rock)

Oh, that's right, he up and quit with a recorded voice track on air saying the station sucked and Todd and Tyler and Z92 ruled.

Yep, you light up those bridges and you end up at First Data and out of radio, no matter how good you are.

Take a lesson from this one, kids!

Anonymous said...

Duff Update,

Living in Greater Los Angeles CA .
Working with YES Drummer Alan White as a drum tech .