Donna Teresa: Classic rock radio station "The Hippo" rocks the troops

By Donna Teresa The Monterey Herald

Many of the e-mails I receive are from troops and other military personnel stationed all over the world.

Some drop a line just to say hi, others just to say thanks for not forgetting them. I can’t help but be especially touched by the notes I receive from our troops who call the Central Coast home.

I’ve been getting many e-mails asking about the weather, wanting an update on the local high school football teams, beach weather, music etc. I get a variety of questions.

And, that’s OK, because if I were far from home, I probably would ask the same questions. It’s great that interest in classic rock ‘n’ roll is still popular to different generations. Many say they listened to the music because their parents played it. I can relate to that, as my parents did the same with me when I was growing up. The years pass, but the music is still as great.

This summer, I received a lot of e-mails from the troops and their family members asking if I would relay song requests to the classic rock radio station "The Hippo" 104.3, www.thehippo.com.

I don’t know how the troops are able to hear the station, but somehow they are finding ways. Some just write to say they miss hearing the radio station and just want to request some songs for the heck of it. They are big fans of the "Bob and Tom Show," "Nights with Alice Cooper," "The Acoustic Storm," "The House of Hair" segments and, of course, those radio personalities, John-Michael and Kenny Allen

I’m late, but I’m finally getting the chance to send the most requested songs to the staff at "The Hippo."

I have to keep my promise of relaying the message. So, John-Michael and Kenny, would you please play these songs for our troops stationed all over the world?

I received numerous music lists, but I picked a few selections from all the requests: Motley Crue: Home Sweet Home; Cinderella: Coming Home; Pink Floyd: Wish You Were Here; Journey: Lights; UFO: Too Hot to Handle; Cheap Trick: California Man; Beatles: Help!; Rolling Stones: You Can’t Always Get What You Want; Thin Lizzy: The Boys Are Back In Town; Aerosmith: I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing; Led Zeppelin: Kashmir; Bon Jovi: Never Say Goodbye;, Def Leppard: Rock, Rock, Til You Drop; Eddie Money: It’s A Hard Life; Eddie Money: Save A Little Room In Your Heart For Me; Montrose: Rock The Nation; Sammy Hagar: There’s Only One Way To Rock; Joe Cocker: With A Little Help From My Friends; Guns N’ Roses: Welcome To The Jungle; AC/DC: For Those About To Rock (We Salute You).

These songs may not have special significance to a lot of people, but they mean something to those who requested them and that is enough for me.

As I write this, there is a growing possibility of more troops being deployed to the Middle East. I just want to say to all our men and women in uniform everywhere, please take care of yourselves, each other and be safe, wherever you may be.

My personal wish is that you were all home with your families yesterday and I hope your return is soon. I appreciate you taking the time from your busy schedules to write to me. You humble me every day with your kind notes.

Your song requests bring back a lot of memories for me, as so many of these songs were my favorites and remain so today. Thank you to the entire staff at "The Hippo" for bringing such great music to all of us on the Central Coast here in California and for indulging me by playing these songs for my special friends in uniform.

As the great singer Bob Seger once sang, "Rock and Roll Never Forgets" thanks to radio stations all over the USA for never forgetting our troops.

Donna Teresa can be reached at [email protected].

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