Although WKLH's Patti Genko does a lot of chatting between classic hits during her weekday show, given the chance, she's more of a storyteller.

With 23 years of experience at multiple stations and myriad different positions and air shifts, Genko is loaded with great stories and insights. Her wit and intelligence make her tales a joy to listen to, both on the air and over coffee.

Best of all, after more than two decades, Genko doesn't seem overtly jaded by a profession that, as she put it, is sometimes fickle. Instead, she remains upbeat and friendly and willing to share her thoughts on commercial radio as well as playfully namedrop famous rockers she has seen in bathrobes.

They say a good interview is one where the journalist does very little talking. Considering this journalist did almost no talking -- rather a lot of laughing and listening -- Patti Genko must be one of those interviews.

OMC: As a radio personality, have you met a lot of rock stars and do you get to go backstage a lot at shows?

Patti Genko: Depending on the artist and show, that is always a possibility. Of course, these days it is a lot harder to get access backstage and since Sept. 11, security has really tightened up.

Backstage for the most part can be a pretty boring or hairy place to hang out, with equipment being moved and stage crew running around you have to stay out of the way. You don't see the performer every time you are backstage. They kind of stay in their little dressing room until it is time to play.

I went on a weekend tour once with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and they were pretty cool. I also used to intro many of the bands at Alpine Valley. Once I was getting ready to introduce the Jefferson Starship -- when they were just Starship -- and they actually allowed me into their dressing room to listen to them warm up. There was Grace Slick and Mickey Thomas and Paul Kanter just singing a cappella. That was pretty cool.

At another Alpine Valley Show, I caught a glimpse of Sammy Hagar in a robe coming out of the shower after the show backstage! Whew! I stood on stage with The Who a couple of times in Milwaukee and Chicago, next to John Entwhistle, and watched the show. Incredible.

And I can't forget David Lee Roth ... Backstage at the Auditorium with two women on his arm and a bottle of Jack saying hello to me.

Some other memories include introducing Jay Leno at the Riverside. I got to hang in his dressing room before I brought him on. Nice guy. I also introduced Tim Allen (also at the Riverside) just before his TV show started, "Home Improvement," and he was telling me how worried he was that it would bomb and it was all his comedy sketches and like his baby and he wanted it to succeed. I think he got his wish.

Ellen DeGeneres was a bit aloof -- I did her intro at the Riverside -- and after the show I tried to chat with her, but she wasn't too friendly. I've met Ann and Nancy Wilson or Heart, Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon, the Scorpions, Eddie Money, the Doobie Brothers with and without Michael McDonald, Peter Frampton -- who was very temperamental! -- Kansas, Graham Nash, The Cars -- Ric Ocasek is a very odd man -- the list goes on and on.

OMC: Wow, lots of "brushes with greatness." Who was the coolest person you met?

PG: Graham Nash was very interesting. A funny guy and very deep and committed and knowledgeable about World and U.S. affairs.

OMC: Gotta ask: If you could meet any musician, living or dead, who would it be?

PG: I would love to meet Bruce Springsteen. He seems like a really intelligent and down-to-earth guy that would make you feel comfortable.

OMC: When did you get into radio?

PG: I went to Western Illinois University for Mass Communications/ Electronic Emphasis and produced my own radio and television shows for the university community TV and radio station while I was there.

OMC: Why did you get into radio?

PG: I really loved music, and my dad said to me, "I wish you were as good at your studies as you are at knowing all of these artists and songs on the radio. You should go into radio." He definitely had a sixth sense about it.