I’ve often said this, and if you are a regular listener of my show on Tuesday Nights, you will hear me tell the tale of how I became a Program Host at WOOL FM.    Radio Changed my life.  Period.  Back in 2013 my son Shane was playing football at Bellows Falls Union High School.  Parents of players usually bond over away games, and Friday Night Feeds, and it is there-in I found my life altering Radio connection.  One of the Parents: Ellen, The “E” in the famous “ETC” airing, then on Monday Nights, shared her profile on Facebook, and I saw some fantastic pictures of her and her two cohorts Cheryl and Trish, having a blast doing their show.  I was intrigued at the very least. Born and raised in Vermont, though travelling to Simmons College in Boston I earned a BS in Education.  All Through my high school and college years, I had been deeply involved in music, toured England with my singing group and I loved performing.  I was looking for an opportunity to enrich my life and connect with people.  My husband and two kids had been living in Bellows Falls for a while, and I was seeking something, but was unclear what that was or where to find it.  I stopped over at Ellen’s house one early spring afternoon, and asked her “How did you get this awesome Radio gig, looks like you have a great time?”  She told me all about it and invited me to come to one of their Monday Night “ETC” Shows.  I LOVED it!  Ellen put me in touch with the WOOL Radio Gods, I did a little training, and the rest is, as they Say: “History”.  My Show The Dish is now Celebrating 10 years on the air!!  Why The Dish, you ask?  Well, I love to cook, and I love to “dish”, so it seemed an apt name all around.  I never know what I’m going to talk about, and its usually tasty! 

 Being a part of WOOL FM has dropped me into a circle of people I would never in my lifetime ever met, and it is wonderful.   For that I am forever grateful.  It’s given more confidence than I have ever known and using that confidence I joined a local Contemporary Rock Chorus.  As I said I really loved performing.  

 In the Early days of the Dish, I planned my show down to every little tidbit I would say, but after a while my show grew to be something way more organic.  I now look at my Tuesday night show as a time that I can chat with a huge group of friends, laugh at myself,  tell stories, and in general  share my spin on life.  My husband tells me I talk to listeners as if they are right in the studio.  For me, they are.  We’re all Friends hanging out, talking about everything and nothing!

That Said, I am a child of the 80’s so my playlists are sometimes heavy with Big Hair and parachute pants, but I’ll sprinkle in some unexpected little gems, deep cuts you have never heard, something new,  or something that has a little dust on the cassette cover.  What am I saying, who has cassettes anymore? 

There is so much we hear and see that is negative, I try to keep it positive.  I’ve learned a great deal, and I enjoy the interactions with everyone I meet, whether it is just someone who wanders in off the street to check out what is happening at 33 Bridge street, feedback from a fan, or a random caller hitting me up for a request, challenging me to find the artist and song to make their day.  

I love the Wool Block Parties and working the door at the Silent Auctions.  One of the many highlights has been riding the WOOL FM Float in the Saxtons River 4^th of July Parade.  The first Year, I joined the ETC Gals, as we waved from our beautiful WOOL FM Kiosk. I was hooked.  We did this for several years. One year I showed up in a red white and blue Tutu, I call my alter ego Diva Knievel!   I’ve also made appearances all around town, at Rockingham Old Home Days and the Vermont Steampunk Festival!   I must be honest, when someone recognizes me, or tells me that they listen to my show, I’m truly humbled.  I always end my show sending listeners off into next week to be kind, or to do something fun “with Love from the Dish”, and I really mean it. 

-Melissa Berry-Brown

The Dish