Eric Nuzum's Cheerleader Camp

Established writers with worthy essays who couldn't figure out how to get them on public radio (could you?).

Earl Pomerantz
on the Art of the Radio Commentary - we talk, we read, we read as if we're talking or somewhere in between.
Listen in Real Audio or MP3

Tracy Johnston
on her rebellious climb up a tree in the backyard. Eventually, she comes back down.
Listen in Real Audio or MP3

Eric Nuzum
on the invisible cheerleading camp next door. (plus, BONUS TRACKS!)
Listen in Real Audio or MP3

Each of these writers has chops. But all of these pieces came to Transom because public radio doesn't have an easy way in. Well, that's good for Transom, but is it good for public radio?

These pieces make a nice grouping because each, in its way, shows how the telling out loud can carry something the page can not deliver: Tracy's dialogue, Earl's faux improvisation, Eric's magic sound.

Note: Eric has a bit of an advantage because he has sound. You can read his notes on how he recorded and hear his "favorite piece of audio ever" and his computer startup sound gleaned from this piece.

Tracy Johnston

Tracy Johnston Earl Pomerantz Eric Nuzum

Tracy has been working on her backyard garden for sixteen years. During that time she has also worked as an editor and freelance writer for various regional and national magazines. In 1993 she published her first book, "Shooting The Boh: One Woman's Voyage Down The Wildest River in Borneo" - now in it's 13th printing. For the last four years she has been working on a book about marriage in Northern Nigeria, which so far has proved an even more perilous journey. (Note: the tree trunk in question is by Tracy's left ear.)

Earl Pomerantz
After honing his writing skills in Canada, Earl came to California in 1974, and has been working steadily in network television comedy ever since. Starting with the acclaimed Lily Tomlin specials, Earl segued into half-hour comedy, writing for "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", "Taxi", "Cheers", "The Cosby Show" and consulting on such highly regarded series as "The Larry Sanders Show". He has also created three network series: "Best of the West", "Family Man" and "Major Dad". Earl has received two Emmy awards, a Writers' Guild award, a Humanitas Prize, and a Cable Ace Award.

Eric Nuzum
Director of Programming and Operations at WKSU-FM, Eric has worked in public radio for ten years as a producer, marketer, fundraiser, and programmer. He also has produced award-winning documentaries and programming for PRI, NPR, does semi-regular commentaries for Marketplace, and is featured in the This American Life comic book. He is also the author of the book "Parental Advisory: Music Censorship in America", released in April 2001, from HarperCollins Publishers.