Debbi Calton
Her voice can make your day.
By Susan L. Serbin - http://www.towntalknews.com
In the course of a casual and expansive interview on the Plum Street Mall in Media, Debbi Calton was entertaining, charming and humorous. But Calton made one comment that was downright laughable.Referring to her stint as a judge for performances of the 2007 Delco Idol program under the direction of Jesse Cline, Calton said, "I thought, what if Jesse turns to me after a contestant sings and I have nothing to say?"
Nothing to say? That will be the day!
In fact, that hasn't been the day for a long, long time. Though Calton will return as a judge for all the 2008 Idol nights, it is just one part of an impressive resume.
In August Calton will celebrate 25 years as one of Philadelphia's favorite on-air radio personalities. Add the years perfecting her craft at various top markets around the country, and Calton has been entertaining listeners of contemporary music for more than three decades.
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"Radio was a fluke. I was just going to take a break from college, to 'find myself.' Well, it was the 70's, and I wasn't sure what I wanted to do," said Calton. "I sent away for some brochures, thinking I'd look for something practical, like a trade school. It was either radio or welding."
The broadcast school in Charlotte, North Carolina turned out to be less than promised, Calton later learned from professionals in the business. But young and enthusiastic, she forged ahead.
"I was involved with a radio station while in college, but not on air. I was too shy, and really hated the sound of my voice. But I'd always loved music and knowledge of that world was important in the days when you could play anything. So I decided to tackle my fear," Calton said, adding she was on the air within a few days at her first station.
"My dad was in the Air Force and we moved a lot, from Pensacola to Dayton. We were in Turkey for two yeas when I was in third to fifth grades. It was a wonderful experience at that age for me and my two younger brothers. My formative music years were in northern California. But I was in three different high schools, which was kind of tough."
The nomadic experience was great training for what was to come, Calton said.
"When you start in radio, you move around and try to go into larger markets each time. It wasn't hard for me to pick up and go."
The first move was under less than happy circumstances, Calton recalled. She filed an equal opportunity suit against a Charlotte station, having learned that females were being paid less than males for the same work. While the suit "dragged on for years," Calton was anything but idle.
"Hopscotching" her way around the country, she found herself in Orlando, Tampa, Denver and Chicago, improving her craft with each position. There was a brief marriage with a colleague whom she followed to a couple of major cities. The marriage didn't last, but her career continued to improve.
Once again, Philadelphia was something of a fluke. In the early 80's, she'd set up an interview with WMMR, a ground-breaking FM station. In a case of serendipity, the interview fell through and Calton called rival WYSP. Feeling they'd scored something of a coup, WYSP hired Calton immediately. In 1994 she moved to WMGK-FM, 102.9 where's she's had the midday slot and the ability to forge great relationships with her listeners.
Playing classic rock gives her the opportunity to share her love of the music she has known since those northern California days.
After a lifetime of relocating, Calton was about to establish serious roots. There was a job she loved, and a guy she happened to meet at a station promotion event.
"He was in a band that was playing, and I've always had a weakness for guitar players," Calton said of husband Chip Roberts. "Radio is tough on relationships because there is much more time spent than just on air."
Suffice to say, Roberts struck the right chord. They have been together for 23 years, married for 19 and have a son, Dustin, who is 16. The Media area was a hometown choice since Roberts had grown up in Middletown. The family lived in Media for a decade and has been in Upper Providence for 11 years.
"I love doing things for this community," Calton said of lending her voice and talents to many non-profits, charities and Rose Tree Media School District. "I remember the first time I hosted a show at the Media Theatre. I was so excited to be on the stage in my hometown."
Which brings Calton back to judging in the upcoming Delco Idol contest, which starts July 9.
"That has been really rewarding. Every year it's gotten better and better. Now I have a system and take notes for myself from week to week. I worried about having something to say, but I want my criticism to be constructive and valuable. I've gotten so much great feedback from contestants and parents."
"Idol" may be nerve racking for the young performers, but it's a welcome diversion for Calton.
"There's a lot of pressure with radio, and you have to be at the top of your game every day. But I know there are times I can say something that makes someone's day. Who knew I could touch people and make that happen?"
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