It would be easy to take all the credit for whatever I’ve achieved in my own career, but it would be disingenuous at best.
When I first came to town 25 years ago to begin what would become a long radio career in Southern California and I couldn’t get arrested, Gary Lycan took an interest in what I was trying to do and his frequent pieces about me in the Orange County Register were instrumental in my early success in Southern California radio. You can’t succeed in SoCal radio without OC. It was Gary Lycan who introduced me to Orange County.
I will miss his column and his passion for radio. But what I was already missing, for the years he hasn’t been well, were our frequent chats in the morning hours about radio news and gossip. If I had a scoop, it was Gary to whom I went first.
Many times I didn’t feel so good about where radio was heading. But all it took was a simple phone call to Gary and, in no time, his voice and enthusiasm reminded me of what it was all about. He loved listening. He loved knowing the people he listened to. All of them.
In recent years, as his health deteriorated, I found myself talking to him more about his condition than about the business. Eventually, Gary would always steer our conversation back to radio, which, along with his loving family and animals, were the things he truly loved.
It’s easy to think it’s all about us. It isn’t.
My condolences to all who loved Gary Lycan. I know I did.
Good memories, Tom. It was fortuitous for you that Gary got it. In the years to come he would be very supportive to me and all the radio refugees with his counsel.