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To his listeners, his name is "Mr. Old Time Radio." Since March 6, 1982, Jack Keenan has been the volunteer producer and host of "The Old Time Radio Theater," a radio show on WMHT (89.1 FM) for the blind and print disabled.

A native of Boston, Mr. Keenan, 77, met his wife, Margaret, through a Catholic young adult league. He is now the father of seven and grandfather of nine. He originally worked in public relations for a local bank, the Trust Company of Albany, for 36 years before he became a host and producer.

His career in radio started with his love for old-time radio and his hobby of collecting old radio programs.

"I try to give [listeners] 'theater of the mind,'" Mr. Keenan explained. To date, nearly 300 guests have visited his show, from television personalities like Dom DeLuise to elected officials like former New York Governor George Pataki.

Mr. Keenan has received many awards, including one from the Northeastern Association for the Blind for outstanding service to the blind, and has been the president of many organizations such as American Cancer Society of Albany. He and his wife are parishioners at Mater Christi Church in Albany.

How did you get into radio?

I grew up listening to radio because my mother loved it so much. It was always king in our house. I always loved the fact that William Conrad, who was the voice for Marshal Matt Dillon in the "Gunsmoke" radio show, sure sounded like a marshal but didn't look a thing like it in real life. Radio allows for that 'theater in the mind.'

What are your favorite classic radio shows?

"The Green Hornet" always meant a lot to me, but I also like "The Lone Ranger" and "Fibber McGee and Molly."

How do you live out your faith?

I pray a lot, I go to Mass and I try to set an example for my family by the way I live.

What's the hardest part of your job?

The show is just part of my routine, so that's not hard. But I can no longer drive [due to injury], so needing someone to drive me back and forth to the station is difficult. Senior Services of Albany drives me to the station every Thursday, which is a huge help.

What is the easiest part?

The easiest part is just doing the show itself. It's not scripted; it's all extemporaneous. We just sit and talk and enjoy ourselves. You get to know these people that visit and you get to share memories with people.

What do you do for fun?

This show! I've been able to meet and speak to amazing people like [politicians] George Pataki, Joe Bruno and Mike McNulty. I thoroughly enjoy it! And crossword puzzles too, I suppose.

Do you think the art of radio has diminished?

No; I don't think the art has been lost in any way, but radio is not what it used to be. Entertainment has gone by the wayside in favor of debate and news. Debate and news aren't bad, but it's not the way radio once was.

If you could dine with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?

I think it would have to be Perry Como. I met him once when he came to perform in Albany. We were standing in the Pepsi Arena before his show and he was looking around the place. He asked me, "Jack, do they think I'm a rock star or something?"

Who is your inspiration for the show?

I just try to be myself and really make it a labor-of-love kind of thing. But Bishop [Howard J.] Hubbard, who is the second most-visited guest [on] the show, is a big part of it for me. He comes every Christmas to record a show with me, and we reminisce about the past.

FAVORITES

Music: Perry Como ("I'm a 50s person, I like The Four Aces, Tony Bennett, Frankie Laine, and Doris Day. I like music you can understand.")

Movie: "Witness for the Prosecution" ("I like mysteries and courtroom dramas.")

TV: "Murder She Wrote," "Dancing with the Stars"

Meal: "Any kind of fish dinner, but maybe haddock or salmon."

Old Time Radio Theater is broadcast Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-noon, and Fridays, 1-2 p.m., on RISE, WMHT's information service for the blind and print disabled. To get a special receiver to receive RISE, call 880-3400. On Tuesdays, 1-2 p.m., volunteers read the latest issue of The Evangelist. Learn more at www.wmht.org.

(01/13/11) [[In-content Ad]]

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