We Appreciate Your Enthusiasm

by James VanOsdol

We Appreciate Your Enthusiasm: The Oral History of Chicago’s Q101 chronicles the complex, hilarious, and culture-influencing history of the legendary Chicago alternative station. The story is be told by the most qualified people to tell it: the DJs, programmers, support staff, and friends of Q101.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

354 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2012

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I grew up listening to Q101, and it was more or less the soundtrack to my adolescent and teenage years. It was really interesting to learn the stories behind all of the different changes at the station, along with the different air personalities that came and went over the years. It helped make sense of how I loved the station some years and lost interest in others. (I chuckled at the line about it being a rite of passage to go from loving Q101 to hating Q101.) The book gives a glimpse into the business side of radio, too, with changes to the target audience, morning shows, management, and more. It does a great job of telling the story of the station, from the early years to peak alternative to the Mancow era to the last years and final sign-off, with mentions of Twisteds and Jamborees and other events along the way. Reading this book, it felt like I was reconnecting with people I hadn’t heard from in a while, along with music that meant a lot to me.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the effort and breadth of this book it’s great. The radio station itself lives larger in our memories than in its reality as it is now hurtling everlong into the great expanse of space.

Great JVO quote in the introduction that sums up the station: “Simply explained, the idea of Q101 was stronger than all the forces working against it.” Lots of us remember what it was wasn’t really what it could have been.

That said, JVO did a helluva job bringing in all of these folks to deliver a great oral history. Light on the bits and radio innovations that the listener would remember, this tome focuses more on the interpersonal relationships that brought the station to the airwaves. Good book

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

VanOsdol did a nice job organizing this book into something that was readable and coherent. I've read other oral histories that were much more chaotic and hard to follow. However, for the average reader, the content isn't really there to justify this book's existence. It was fun to read some of the stories behind the on-air personalities and events that happened in and around Q-101, but you either have to work in radio or be an absolute radio nut to have a high level of interest in all of the behind scenes programming changes and constant shuffling of on-air staff.

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book because it was a gift from a friend who is still in radio. He got it for me because I used to intern at Q101 and work at WRCX, each for like a minute; needless to say, I have known many of these characters, most briefly. I would have been more interested had the book focused on the history and behind-the-scenes stories that make radio so fascinating (for example, the rare nuggets of Courtney Love going insane, or Jen interviewing Debbie Harry from her bathroom stall). Instead, this book largely spotlighted personalities, often of people who, Al Bundy-style, cannot get over the glory days of their past. For me, it was like reading a book authored by your middle school bullies, written at a third-grade level. I, for one, am glad to have moved on.

[Lara C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Q101 provided the soundtrack to much of my teens & 20s, so a lot of this book was a walk down memory lane for me. I also interned at Q101 in the summer of 1999, and some of my memories, while I would swear to their validity, now seem a bit unbelievable. It's nice to be assured that I wasn't hallucinating the whole time.

JVO - who has always been an excellent interviewer - did an exceptional job collecting stories for this book and capturing the voices and personalities of each character in the process. It feels like eavesdropping on a gang of old friends who are sharing a few beers. I enjoyed it tremendously, and hope he continues to write.

[Dave Hofer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because I bought it for my wife and would listen to Q101 from time time . . . okay just when I didn't have a tape player in my car. Anyway, this book could have used some editing help: misspellings, bizarre punctuation, etc. It also harped too much on individual points, like Person A would make a statement that was then reinforced by what seemed like every other of the 75 people interviewed for the book. Not everyone needs equal airtime, so to speak. The story of the station was interesting in the beginning, but quickly started to drag as the narrative focused more on owner and employee turnover.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A verbal love letter... sometimes sweet and sassy, sometimes bitter and dark... but every bit true and memorable. The music Q101 played in the early 90s defined my teens and the direction my taste would follow for years to come. Thanks for the reunion.

[Rich Ramey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Brought back a lot of memories. Many events I happened to be a part of were mentioned. The last chapter brought back all the emotions I felt on that last day. Great read if you were a fan of the Q101 personalities.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a student of broadcasting/radio this is a must read. If you were a fan of Q101 this is a must read. There are great first person insights and stories from the people who worked there.

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting behind the scenes look at the history of one of Chicago's great radio stations.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flashback to 1992-1995, my high school years and an exciting time for radio/alternative music in Chicago!