One particular Saturday morning a young black kid walked up to me as I was leaving my apartment and asked “are you StocktonInTheMorning from 101Q?” I replied well, yes I am. He was a stout guy of 17 with a big smile with lots of questions that I answered. I said I had to go do my Saturday afternoon gig and that I'd see him around. That show began with babysitting the final two hours of American Top 40 with Casey Kasem. The actual live music radio show began at 2 and it was an easier pace from my weekly Morning Show. 

The next Saturday, Marty appeared again at my door with more questions. I liked his enthusiasm and big smile. It reminded me of when I was his age trying to break into the business. I stopped and asked him if he wanted to go to the station and sit in the control room while I did the show. 

Marty gleefully agreed to join me. The look on his face was like he was in heaven when he entered the station and admired all the broadcast equipment. I remembered feeling the same way when I entered WBRW Somerville, New Jersey for the first time in 1973. It was refreshing to see someone with the same awe and inspiration that I had a few short years earlier. 

My new found friend accompanied me on several more visits and one thing led to another and they hired him to do some part time weekend work running the controls on our sister station WYNR. His desire and persistence got him the job. 

I lost track of Marty, but I’m sure he’s a success wherever he is. In a very small way, I was able to pay forward some of the mentoring that I had received. A lot of time has passed, but I can still see that great big smile running the board on The Winner.