The self-proclaimed "King of All Radio Geeks" says he's through.For over twenty-five years, Von Smartrow has lived in his recreational vehicle with no permanent address, going from radio station to radio station recording audio and video airchecks of famous and not-so-famous talent. Sales of his recordings have helped him break even, but haven't made him rich.
"This is just no fun any more," Smartrow told All The Excess!
Often called "Radio's best bud," Smartrow says he reached his decision to quit last week, when he arrived at WBIC/Birmingham, camcorder at the ready. "I had already set up my mic and tripod in the studio, when I heard the syndicated morning show sign off and throw it to Ryan Seacrest for the next shift." At that point Smartrow knew he likely wouldn't see another human pass through the studio door for many hours.
He blames consolidation and syndication for his sudden career crossroads. "Everybody sounds alike, or in the case of Seacrest, one person is doing a show for hundreds of markets. I can't make a living by selling just one video of Ryan Seacrest doing his show for the entire nation. I'm finished."
Smartrow says he'll likely settle down in one place for a while and pursue his second-choice career as a male escort specializing in bondage and discipline scenes. "The camera will still come in handy," he claims.
