American
Variety Radio™ first aired as a weekly talk show with host Court Lewis
on Melbourne, Florida’s WMEL-AM920 in February 2004. After more than 3
years on the AM airwaves across Central Florida, the show joined the program
lineup of WFIT-FM, at the Florida Institute of Technology. Building on
that base, American Variety has expanded to several other Public Radio
stations around Florida and the Southeast U.S. .
As
its name implies, American Variety is an eclectic show. Host Court Lewis
describes its theme as “...an anti-theme: Anything but politics!”
There are a number of recurring topics that pop up here and there, he says.
“One of the most frequent is what I call ‘Amazing Americans’—people who
are among the best in the country or even the world at what they do, but
who fly under the radar and are not well known outside their profession.”
Another recurring theme is “’Back in the Day’ Day,” when American Variety
explores an interesting and out-of-the-way aspect of the way life used
to be in different regions of America, or focuses on a disappearing vestige
of country life. Guests here are authors, historians, ranchers, and old-timers
who remember the way things were back in the day. Current currents in the
arts and pop culture will often attract our attention. Many shows look
at interesting aspects of science and technology, from possible new energy
sources to defense and security technology, to biotechnoloy to climate
change. “Genderology” is another occasional theme, featuring Court talking
humorously with a woman—often a doctor, psychologist, or lawyer—on the
different points of view between men and women on specific topics. Vive
la Difference!
Guests
on American Variety include a fascinating mix of explorers, scientists,
astronauts, artists, writers, entrepreneurs—all people who have something
in common: They followed their dream, no matter how unlikely or unattainable
it might have seemed, and succeeded. The show offers an antidote
to the constant drone of negative, dispiriting news and political shouting
matches in the media, by focusing on inspiring people, positive events,
and the rich variety of lifestyles and pursuits that living in America
still makes possible.
Court
Lewis is a third-generation Miamian, recently transplanted to a horse farm
in East Tennessee, with degrees in both chemistry and literature.
“I have a ridiculously wide range of interests,” Lewis laughs, “and the
show feeds my habit. But the really great thing about hosting the
show has been the huge number of interesting people I’ve been able to meet
from all walks of life. I didn’t think about that, going in, but it has
turned out to be the most rewarding part of the job!”
Court can be reached at court@americanvarietyradio.com
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