Don Geronimo

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Michael Sorce
Born September 18, 1958 (1958-09-18) (age 49)
Show Don and Mike Show
Station(s) WJFK-FM, nationally syndicated
Time slot weekdays, 3pm-7pm
Style talk
Country United States
Website donandmikewebsite.com

Michael Sorce (born September 18, 1958), better known as Don Geronimo, is a former radio personality formerly featured on the nationally syndicated Don and Mike Show , based at WJFK-FM (106.7 FM) in Washington, D.C..

Contents

[edit] Career

Don began his career in radio at the age of 13. His first major break was with WLS in Chicago, Illinois in the early 80s. He then moved to WBBM-FM (B96) to do the evening show. Eventually, he replaced Dick Biondi doing morning drive at the same station and was given the name "Don Geronimo."

Don returned to Washington, DC in 1985, doing afternoons at WAVA. He moved to mornings in 1986 replacing Charlie & Harrigan. His partnership with Mike O'Meara, co-host of the Don and Mike Show, was forged at WAVA, and the pair broadcast together since that time. Their show moved to WJFK in 1991.

Washington Post radio reporter Marc Fischer features Geronimo in his book Something in the Air: Radio, Rock, and the Revolution That Shaped a Generation on the rise and fall of radio in the United States. Fisher also conducted the last interview before Geronimo's planned retirement in 2008 where the radio personality spoke out about his frustration with the direction radio has taken following high profile decency events such as the Janet Jackson Super Bowl incident.[1]

[edit] Radio history

Don has worked at the following stations:

[edit] Acting

Don has appeared in The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., Babylon 5, and The King of Queens. He is a member of the Screen Actors Guild. He has also co-hosted pre-game coverage of the Baltimore Ravens games for WJZ (Channel 13).

[edit] Personal life

[edit] Family

Don has one brother, James "Jimmy" Sorce, who was an occasional caller to the Don and Mike Show.

Don has one daughter, Amy, from his first marriage. Following a long period of estrangement, Don reconnected with Amy and her three children and now plays an active role as a grandfather.

Don has one son, Bart, from his second marriage. Bart attended Clemson University in South Carolina — his mother, Freda's alma mater. Bart was an occasional caller to the Don and Mike Show and participated in the show's fantasy football league.

Don's wife, Freda, died on July 10, 2005 in an automobile accident on Maryland Route 90 near Ocean City, Maryland, where the Sorces had their vacation home. Freda was a frequent caller to the Don and Mike Show and her spirited interaction with Don was an integral part of the show. Don was on hiatus from the show until August 1, when he returned to the air with an emotional solo broadcast.[2][3]

[edit] Controversy

In 1996, Geronimo pleaded guilty to a cocaine possession charge and completed a one year probation. In 1998 he was stopped by police for a moving violation (exceeding 75 mph in a 35 mph zone), at which time he was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and driving under the influence of a narcotic.[4]

In May 2007, a Leesburg, Virginia man, who had once been a frequent caller to the Don and Mike Show, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of stalking. Sorce received a letter from the man which contained threats to himself and his family. The judge also issued a lifetime restraining order in the case.[5]

[edit] Retirement

On February 4, 2008, Don announced his retirement from his radio show to pursue his personal life for a while. His last appearance on the Don and Mike Show was Friday, April 11, 2008 with Mike O'Meara to continue the show after that (as the Mike O'Meara Show). Don is expected to return to radio in some form in the future.[6][7]

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Fisher, Marc. "After Good Times and Bad, Geronimo Says It's Beach Time", Washington Post, 2008-02-24. Retrieved on 2008-02-27. 
  2. ^ "Wife of Popular Radio Host Killed in Crash", WBOC-TV, 2005-07-11. Retrieved on 2007-06-24. 
  3. ^ "Don Geronimo's Grief-Stricken Solo", Washington Post, 2005-08-02. Retrieved on 2007-10-01. 
  4. ^ Geronimo arrested on drug charges after stop. Retrieved on 2007-07-20.
  5. ^ Jail Time For Man Who Threatened Geronimo. Retrieved on 2007-05-29.
  6. ^ Rowland, Kara. "Don Geronimo to leave talk-radio show", Washington Times, 2008-02-05. Retrieved on 2008-02-05. 
  7. ^ "Legendary Don Geronimo to Exit WJFK-FM on May 30", Radio Online, 2008-02-05. Retrieved on 2008-02-05.