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Chris Comer

Radio Talk Show Host

About Me

Chris Comer has been involved in radio broadcasting since the 1980's. While pursuing a Music Composition degree from Bowling Green State University, Chris hosted “New Musical Frontiers” on WBGU-fm, supported by The Mid-American Center for Contemporary Music. This ‘new music’ show included the opportunity to interview contemporary improvising musicians Sonny Sharrock, Fred Frith, Ronald Shannon Jackson and American Composer George Crumb. The concept laid out in the contemporary and adventurous format of the show has been continuously developed by Chris to this day.

In 1991 the partnership Chris formed with fellow WBGU-alumnus Rob Ervin became “The Chris & Rob Late Night Talk Show” on Cincinnati non-profit WAIF-fm Tuesday nights at 10:00 pm. The award-winning call-in talk show show features politicians, athletes, crackpots, movie stars, scientists, artists and entertainers of all sorts. Guests appearing on Chris & Rob's program have included Jerry Lewis, Dr. Timothy Leary, Buck Owens, Buddy Hackett, Dr. Jocelyn Elders and Mario Cuomo. Chris and Rob’s show is irreverent, satirical and occasionally insightful.

Both at WAIF and as a jazz host on public radio WVXU’s X-Star Radio, Chris began developing interview segments with some of the world’s most well-known and cutting-edge musicians and artists. Interviews with particularly noteworthy musicians include Charles Lloyd, Jack DeJohnette, Paul Bley, Pete Seeger, Cecil Taylor, John Zorn, Steve Reich and John Corigliano. Noteworthy artists from rock, jazz, classical and country music have appeared with Chris & Rob, including Bruce Cockburn, Todd Rundgren, Adrian Belew, Billy Bob Thornton, and members of Cheap Trick, Yes, Bad Company and Led Zeppelin. These insightful and thoughtful interviews shed light on the subjects and works discussed. Often the conversation is candid, and focuses on the most compelling new projects of the artist and their creative process.

In addition to broadcast experience at 700 WLW, WVXU, WAIF and other radio stations, Chris has collaborated in many theatrical productions, soundtrack projects and rock bands.

My Jazz Story

I love jazz because...of Charles Lloyd. I was first exposed to jazz...Mom. Love ya, Mom! I met [musician name]...Rashid Ali once. He wanted a smoke. The best show I ever attended was...there's alot of 'best'. Maybe Willie Nelson. The first jazz record I bought was...Brubeck. My advice to new listeners...listen. Or whatever else you have in mind.