Christopher L Knauer

My name is Christopher L. Knauer, but I go by Chris. I was in radio & TV broadcasting for 41+ years a.k.a. Chris O'Brian. I was a disc-jockey/sports play-by-play guy, and all around 'jack-of-all trades' during my 4 decades in the broadcasting business. What has kept me busy since retiring is writing my book and composing music and writing lyrics. For enjoyment I watch MLB and college basketball. When I want to relax I throw a line in the water or put a golf club in my hand. I retired in January of 2014. I am a college graduate with a teaching degree (that I never used) in physical education with a minor in English. I served two years in the U.S. Army as a medic with 18 months of my duty stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. Over the course of my radio and T.V. career it took me into 3 states all in the Midwest. I was born in eastern Iowa and grew up in northwestern Illinois. I have 3 wonderful adult children and 2 adorable grandchildren (twins) a boy and a girl. I've been told I was a very shy boy in my younger years. What happened as I grew up is hard for even me to explain. I think as they say 'I came out of my shell'. To this day my kids cringe whenever I get close to a microphone. They say I am a 'natural', when it comes to making conversation, and I can light-up a room if necessary. Maybe that's why I became a radio disc-jockey. It was the perfect fit for me. My book is titled 'ON THE AIR'. It is my autobiography detailing my small-town up-bringing, my personal successes and failures in the sometimes strange and ever changing broadcasting business. My book will take you 'behind the microphone' as I share with the reader the many unusual events that transpired during my 41+ years in the broadcasting business.I also share my personnel 'highs & lows' that followed me along my career adventure. You will find that my book can be comical, informative, and sometimes very sad. My book has 177 interesting pages and 45 pictures to go along with my story. Why did I write this book? 1. Because I was a part of a very different and unusual business that not many have a chance to do. 2. This is my way of giving back to my many radio listeners some of the memories that they gave to me, and 3. I wanted to leave a legacy to my children, my grandchildren, relatives and friends who have been there for me so many times when I needed them the most. I hope after reading my book you will understand more about the business I was in, and know more about me as a person.