A different kind of art

I fully admit that I don’t know the first thing about music. Piano lessons were pretty short-lived for me as a kid. One time I tried to learn how to play a trumpet. I couldn’t make a sound. You’d be hard-pressed to find very many recording artists that I’d recognize when their songs play on the radio.

But I’m very proud of my friend Doug Kaplan, whose band released their debut album today. It took them two years as they raised funds, wrote, recorded, mixed, and mastered the album. This is no small accomplishment.

I feel like broadcasting, just like music, is a form of art. And with any form of art, you have to be totally dedicated to your craft to succeed. Broadcasters spend countless hours perfecting their style and musicians spend probably even more time with their music.

Just like me, Doug is a product of Northwestern’s outstanding student radio station: 89.3 FM WNUR. The station gave me the chance to get experience calling division one athletics and in leadership as I was sports director my junior year. Meanwhile, Doug became General Manager of the station and was one of the most dedicated of all the DJ’s as almost every time I came in to the on-air control room, he was there enthusiastically showing other people the ropes or hosting his own show.

The most valuable part of college in my opinion is what you do outside the classroom. There are so many extracurricular opportunities where you can explore your passion. My passion happens to be sports. Doug’s is music. This album is an impressive start and I suggest you give it a listen.