WMSE 91.7 FM announced that long-time "Blues Drive" DJ Janet Gering, known as "Lady J" to her listeners, died Sunday, Jan. 13 at age 46. She was battling cancer at an Oconomowoc hospice.
Gering began volunteering at the station in 1996 and was one of the founding members of the weekday afternoon "Blues Drive" program. She showed up every Thursday to play the blues from 3 to 6 p.m.
When her health began to decline, many of her fans and loyal listeners supported her with phone calls and volunteer help.
"Lady J made sure the staff and listeners knew that her WMSE family gave her strength as her health deteriorated," says Station Manager Tom Crawford. "In her final months, she made an inspiring effort to be on the air every week. The physical toll was great, but it did her spirit immeasurable good."
This Thursday during Janet's regular time slot, Crawford hosts a tribute to Lady J, welcoming special guests as they reminisce about the life of this loved and respected member of the music community, and playing some of her favorite blues artists. Listeners are encouraged to tune in and call with their own memories, and to observe a moment of silence at 5 p.m.
Gering's last show was Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.
As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”
