Field Journal: A Long Time in a Car

Jim Newman, Producer

Monday, September 18, 2006 — You get to know somebody well if you travel all over the state with them.

Well, that's probably not exactly true.

It's more like you see a side of a person, form an impression of that person, after miles and miles spent in the car.

Todd Sonflieth (if you don't read the show credits he's chief photographer) and I were going from Newport to the North Umpqua River, on a story about Freshwater Mussels in July. Todd does not tolerate country music. Tune in Eddie Rabbit -- somebody like that -- and, "Turn that off!" As in: there are some things a person just shouldn't be expected to endure, okay!?!

Okay. So Todd brings along his Sirius radio receiver (which is a real boon when all there is to listen to is AM radio talk) and what did he dial in, much to my surprise? "The Roadhouse". That's the real, REAL old-time country channel on Sirius: Hank Williams, Hank Thompson and Red Sovine -- people like that.

I asked Todd what changed. I didn't really get an answer.

But I call it personal maturity.

Oh yeah, and after two days of country he tuned in "The Buzzsaw." The heavy metal channel.