Host profile: Sandy Snyder
Name: Sandy Snyder
Shows: The Early Music Show (Classical), Mondays 7 - 9 p.m. And Wild Women and Friends (Jazz/Blues), Thursdays, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Day job or volunteer activities: Retired, but tutor math at Tandem Friends School, and sing in Zephyrus (early music vocal ensemble)
How long have you been a host at WTJU? 20 years
Why did you become a WTJU host?
Someone asked at Zephyrus rehearsal if anyone might be interested, and it was sort of like the cartoon when everyone else steps back, leaving you out front. The rest is history (as they say).
Tell us about one of your biggest gaffs while in the studio. (We've all got one, right?)
Interviewing Terri Allard... In an effort to get her to expand her answer and clarify who Dr. Casteen was (then UVA President), I asked her who he was. She looked at me like I was an idiot. I had to explain on the air that I knew who he was, but some of our listeners might not.
Favorite moments in the air studio?
While subbing for First Light during this pandemic, I got regular calls from a listener trapped in Colombia, South America because of the virus and felt like the station was a lifeline for him.
If you could interview anyone on air, dead or alive, who would it be?
Harry Belafonte; His first album was released when I was 4 months old, and, thanks to my mother, I've been listening to him ever since.
What are your guilty pleasures?
The Who's rock opera Tommy is my go-to stress music. Not exactly a "guilty pleasure", but might be surprising to some folks, given my above described music involvement. There isn't any music that I won't at least give a chance to.
What are your passions outside of music?
Grandkids, Joyce (my wife), rugby, dogs, gardening, racquetball, hiking, traveling, calligraphy, water color painting, genealogy, photography... I'm sure I'm leaving something out.
Why does WTJU matter?
The cumulative knowledge and dedication of the volunteer DJs is astonishing and the resource they provide to the community - and the world - is invaluable.
Would you rather be a famous singer or be able to bring your favorite deceased singer back to life?
Those are my only choices?? Ok. Let's bring back Eva Cassidy!