HOW
SIDNEY MADE HIS MARK
November
2, 2006
Michael
Smerconish
Yesterday,
Sid Mark, the broadcasting institution who invented "Fridays with
Frank" and "Sundays with Sinatra," was honored by the
Philadelphia Air Awards board of governors with its lifetime achievement award
for his work in radio.
Michael
Smerconish gave a speech at the presentation, and we thought you'd like to hear
what he had to say about Sid.
THE
CHAIRMAN of the Board once said, "If I can make it there, I'll make it
anywhere."
He
should have been talking about Philadelphia, because this is a tough town.
We're
not like other folks.
People
are particular, here.
Creatures
of habit. Unique tastes. And deep loyalties.
You
investigate our leaders, we'll be sure to re-elect them.
Tell
us it's time to eat, and we're ready for a cheesesteak and pretzel. Offer
dessert, we're thinking Krimpets and Tandy Kakes.
We
like governors who can nosh, not catch passes.
Give
us a week off, and we're headed down the shore, to the same town where our
parents took us when we were young.
If
money falls off a bank truck, we're keeping it.
Ask
us to visit an art museum, and we're game... as long as there's a statute of
Stallone out front.
You
need more culture than that? We've got something for ya' called Wing Bowl.
Our
parades don't have roses, they have Mummers.
We
also like characters in this town. You don't find people with names like the
Geator, Fast Eddie, the Answer, the Big Bambino or Croce in places like San
Diego, or Minneapolis, or Atlanta.
Ask
us to reminisce about sports, we'll tell you about the time when a bunch of
bullies wore ice skates.
Think
Joe Frazier, not Muhammad Ali. Buddy Ryan, not Bill Parcells.
John
Chaney was kin, Larry Brown an interloper.
We
like something called "Action News" because - well, we like
"Action News."
If
we don't like you, we let you know, and we might even have a snowball with your
name on it. Just ask Jimmy Johnson or old St. Nick.
Now,
when it comes to the radio, there is only one name. And that's the way it's
been for generations.
He's
the way we've begun and sustained our weekends for our entire lives.
We
know it's Friday when we first hear his voice.
We
know the day of rest has arrived when we hear the words "play for me, play
for me," as he greets us at dawn.
He's
been there for birthdays. And bar mitzvahs. And plenty of weddings. A few
divorces.
We've
had anniversaries with him in the room. He's joined us for countless
celebrations.
You
always hear him at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
And
he's been the source of comfort when we've lost friends, or in other moments of
sorrow.
Take
a trip, and when you return, the sound of his gifted, melodious voice is a sign
that you are home.
WE
ENJOY hearing him say things like "God willing and all things being
equal," or "turn your pillow to the cool side," even when we
have no idea exactly what that means.
We
love Angie Dickinson, just because we know he loves Angie Dickinson.
Even
the man's style of delivering commercials exudes class and dignity.
He
has single-handedly set the bar for broadcasters in this town.
And
every one of our lives has been enhanced by just the sound of his voice.
That's
why...
He's
the king of the hill,
He's
the top of the heap.
He's
A-No. 1.
He's
top of the list!
His
name is Sid Mark.
Michael Smerconish can be heard weekdays 5:30-9
a.m. on the Big Talker, 1210/AM. Contact him via the Web at www.mastalk.com.