Just the FAQ

hahaha get it? Just the FAQ?? uh boy.

So there isn't a pressing need for a FAQ, but really, is there ever?? I just thought it'd help you to know more about me and why I am the way I am. If you have any further questions, feel free to email me.

Now, on to the FAQ!!!

Q. Dude, I thought you were white!!

A. Well that's not really a question (we are off to a bad start here), but you are half right. I AM white. My mother's family is, for the most part, Irish and she raised me...that would help explain the confusion of why I "sound" white. My father is black (oops, sorry "African American") and that explains my nontraditional look. Growing up, it was difficult being the only guy of color in my neighborhood but as I grow older I really value the fact that I am different. It helps you see people as they really are and it makes me feel unique. So when you see me out and about, please don't dance around the fact that I'm don't look anything like how you pictured. I know how I sound and I know how I look and I know they don't always jive. Everyone at the station gets a chuckle when someone tries to downplay the fact that they thought I was white. It ususally goes a little something like this:

"Is Roche around?"

"Hey man, I'm Roche"

"You are??"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Dude you totally don't look like I pictured!"

"I know, I'm not white"

"No, no, no, I uh...uh...well uh...you sound like you'd have a goatee"

Huh? What does someone who has a goatee SOUND like???

See what I'm saying? Let's just acknowledge the obvious and move on to the shameless praising of moi.

Q. Why does Elliot always get on you about:

A. Before I run down the list, let me say this…Elliot gets on EVERYONE at one time or another. It’s what he does. If you worked here, he’d get on you too. It’s his way of saying “I love you” (I hope). If that’s the case, than Elliot REALLY loves me!

  1. Your Eye

    -I have a wondering eye (it’s not lazy…it just likes to see what else is going on from time to time. I actually had surgery on both my eyes as an infant (or, as my mom calls it, “Double lazy eye surgery”, she’s a sweetheart, huh.) but I guess one didn’t take. It’s not really that bad. It doesn’t wonder much (my roommate Brooke has never seen it wonder), only when I’m really tired. Funny story: my first week at DC101, I had a chance to talk with Elliot a lot and he was really cool and extremely helpful in getting me settled in (still is) so when he mentioned that he wanted me to come on the show, I thought it was him wanting to introduce me to the listener. Needless to say, I was pretty nervous as this would be my introduction to DC. He comes back from a commercial break and the first thing he says is,

“Class please welcome our new night guy, Greg Roche”

Applause.

“Thanks Elliot”

“Dude, what’s up with your eye??”

That should have been my cue to run to the hills.

  2. White Women

    -I think we can all acknowledge the fact that I like women. All shapes, sizes, and colors and I’ve dated accordingly (no Asian women though…I’ll have to get on that). But it’s true that the majority of women I’ve had long term relationships with have been white. It’s just how it’s worked out. So why does Elliot get on me about it? Jealousy perhaps?

  3. The Conference Room

    -there was an “incident” with me and a female in the station conference room a while back. I think that’s all I’m legally allowed to say (actually I’m legally allowed to say a lot more but it makes it more mysterious if I say that’s all I’m legally allowed to say).

  4. Always being late

    -ok, on this one he has a valid point. I S-U-C-K at getting places on time. It’s a bad habit that I’m trying to break.

Q. Where are you from?

A. Born and raised in Southwest Philadelphia . Growing up, I had a list of sports teams OTHER than the ones in Philly that I liked (although the Flyers have always been my favorite hockey team) but when I moved down here, I’ve grown to love all the Philly sports teams. Before coming to DC, I lived and worked in the Atlantic City , NJ area.

Q. What’s the deal with you and Manassas?

A. No deal. I LOVE MANASSAS ! Why? Why not.

Q. Where did “Let’s Get This Beeyaaaaatch Started” come from?

A. It kind of just evolved into what it is today (only the greatest catchphrase in history!!!) When I was living in Philly there was a jock named Christian who would start an extra long music block with a simple “Let’s get this bitch started” in this big fake deep voice which I thought was kinda funny (he was a really good jock now that I think about it). So I’m working in AC and I had this feature where I’d play a block of requests from one person (it was a cool little feature). One day, I started off the block with a “Let’s Get This Beyaatch Started” but it didn’t sound anything like it does today (it took years of vocal training to get it to the power it is now). I thought it sounded ok so I started doing it every day. When I came down here, I moved it to the beginning of the show and that’s where you’ll find it to this day. It’s a cheesy phrase but it’s fun, versatile (you can do it at the start of ANYTHING), and damn invigorating.

Q. Is that your gawd awful singing I hear in the background of the first song just after the “Beyatch” starts?

A. Why yes, yes it is.

Q. Could you please shut the f*ck up so I can enjoy the song?

A. Ouch! Ok, here’s what I say whenever I get an angry caller who says this. First off, be glad you aren’t in the studio because that’s what I do most of the night. Second, I don’t do it NEARLY as much as I used too. Third, by the time you’ve called in, I’ve answered, and you complained, I’ve long since stopped cuz the song ended. So what’s the harm? In reality, I do it cuz I’m fired up. I’m having a good time rocking out to a great song. I’m pumped cuz I’m doing a job that I absolutely love. I’m pumped up cuz your day at work is over and now you can go and do whatever it is you do for fun. That’s the point…Fun is good! So relax and sing along with me. Try it…you’ll like it!!