8/1/2005
I tuned in to the show today at work so that I could listen in while working as Don Geronimo (Mike Sorce) returned to the Don & Mike Show. It was an AMAZING couple of hours as Don talked about the love of his life, about his loss, and about the support he received from members of the media all across the country.
If you heard Don today, then it should only have confirmed what the show’s fans already knew; that Don is a totally devoted husband and father. For a brief time, Don laid down his on-show persona to offer up a tribute to Freda and to send out heartfelt thanks to members of the media all across the country for the support they had lent him over the past few weeks.
Today, he gave us a completely honest glimpse of himself as Mike Sorce, as opposed to the character of “Don Geronimo” of “The Don & Mike Show.” Not surprisingly “Don Geronimo,” the husband and father is no different than Mike Sorce, the husband and father. At the same time, we were given an inner glimpse of why Don & Mike do and say certain things on the air.
Why? Because, during the show, it’s all about the show… understand? On the air, Don & Mike are doing their show, not their lives. It’s the same way for all shows to one extent or another. Today, however, for a brief period of time, Don laid it all out for us. And it was VERY moving.
Don even took calls for a time, not so that people could express condolences, but so that people could ask questions. Unfortunately, that segment underscored the shallow nature of some of the show’s listeners.
Why would someone think it’s okay to ask where Freda is buried? I also thought asking if Bart was going to leave Clemson and move closer to home was a bit dumb. Why is that anyone’s business?
Someone even called to ask if Don was going to sell the OC, Maryland property!! What, were they hoping to BUY?!
OMG people can be ridiculous! Don was very patient and only hung up on a couple of callers.
A word to the wise (some of you won’t listen to what I’m about to suggest, which should tell you something about yourself). Today was Don’s day to be open, honest, and vulnerable. But he gave ample warning that tomorrow he and Mike are going to resume the show… Full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes. I recommend you NOT call the show to express condolences or to ask further questions.
I could be wrong here, but Don seemed pretty clear regarding his desire to resume the normal show. I’m sure that there will be other vulnerable moments in the future, here and there, but, for the most part, the Don & Mike Show is back in full swing. Which means that, if you call in to do what I just suggested you NOT do, be prepared to duck.
Remember, it’s Don and Mike and they’ll do what they wish! In all my years of listening to these guys, this really is the only consistent rule I’ve seen them follow. And that, in the end, is exactly why I listen to the show. 
It’s great to have Don back.
David Flanagan
Viewpointjournal.com
6 Comments
I only got to hear the last 5 min of the show yesterday, but what an emotional 5 min it was, especially the last moment when he talked to Freda and told her he loved her. I cried as if it was my own spouse passing away. That song he played was perfect.
Comment by Melissa — 8/2/2005 @ 7:28 am
Wonderful comments. We all got an extremely rare glimpse into true humanity. Don’s comments yesterday made me run home and squeeze my fiance’ as tight as possible and tell him over and over how much I love him. I only hope to have a bond and marriage as strong as Don’s and Freda. I thank them both for sharing their lives with us and proving that you can be crazy while being crazy in love.
Comment by Ginny O — 8/2/2005 @ 7:32 am
I was listening to Don yesterday.Thank God I was wearing sunglasses, cause I was in tears! This loss hits close to home-lost my big sister in a crash. I didn’t know Freda-until today,I didn’t even know what she looked like, but I knew and loved the voice.We all did. We will always remember her sweetness and the affection she showed Mike….
Comment by timleery — 8/2/2005 @ 8:15 am
Thank you for this journal-I was unable to hear Don’s show last Monday as I was on vacation-thank you for filling in the emotion for me as I feel so a part of the Don and Mike Show Family. I so admired Don’s devotion to Freda and his family..God bless that family…even those pets of their’s who will miss mom…
Comment by Beth — 8/8/2005 @ 9:44 am
[…] I put up a post talking about that, of course, but truly, I’ve never heard a more honest and candid moment on radio ever. And as a guy who listens to satellite radio and drives three hours a day, five days a week, I listen to a LOT of radio. […]
Pingback by Viewpoint Journal » Don Geronimo vs. Mike Sorce — 8/16/2005 @ 1:25 am
[…] I received a message from Keith Alioto, whose blog, Not So Empty Nest Syndrome, contains the links to the Don Geronimo’s on-air tribute to his wife, Freda. As I said in another post, it was an incredibly moving tribute. […]
Pingback by Viewpoint Journal » Don Geronimo (Mike Sorce) Tribute To Wife Freda — 9/4/2005 @ 6:48 am