I Am What I Play

I Am What I Play is a captivating documentary film from the year 2015 that provides an insightful in-depth look into the world of radio disc jockeys. Directed and written by Roger King, this film stars renowned radio personalities Meg Griffin, Charles Laquidara, and David Marsden. It revolves around their passionately lived careers and their individual contributions to the vibrant era of rock radio.

The documentary captures the essence of the iconic era when DJs and radio were the primary medium for music distribution - it was a time when DJs were cultural curators and impacted the musical taste around the world. Meg Griffin, Charles Laquidara, and David Marsden, as radio personalities, became the voice and heartbeat of the masses, shaping the soundscape of their time.

Meg Griffin, an American radio DJ and a rock music connoisseur, is well-known for her significant contribution to radio platforms like WNEW-FM, WBAI, WFUV, and Sirius XM. I Am What I Play chronicles Griffin’s journey as a radio jockey, it weeks to illustrate her transformation from a relatively unknown figure to an iconic personality whose voice became synonymous with rock music on radio popular culture.

Likewise, the movie sheds light on Charles Laquidara, known for his morning drive time shift, The Big Mattress on WBCN & WZLX in Boston. His quirky humor, coupled with a deep understanding of music, helped him carve a distinctive space in the radio industry. The film portrays the trajectory of his career, highlighting the influence he wielded over the Boston airwaves.

David Marsden, famously known as Dave Mickie, is another figure whose career is brought to the fore in I Am What I Play. A Canadian radio broadcaster and the founder of CFNY 102.1, Marsden is credited for creating a freeform approach to radio programming, radically disrupting the conventional patterns of the industry. The documentary portrays his innovative practices and the profound impact they had on transforming Canadian radio history.

The film relies heavily on archival footage, including radio airchecks, concert footage, home videos, and personal interviews with the trio, to bring authenticity and candiosity to the storytelling. Through this amalgamation of resources, King successfully presents the role of these disc jockeys as they revolutionized the radio industry and the world of music, giving a voice to diverse and emerging artists whose music would otherwise have faded into obscurity.

However, I Am What I Play is more than just a journey through the golden era of radio; it intimately delves into the personal lives of these disc jockeys as well. The film reveals the emotional ups and downs, the struggles, and the drama behind the scenes, presenting a vivid picture of the people who held the microphones and touched a generation with their lively voices.

I Am What I Play beautifully portrays the unpredictable nature of live radio, the thrill, the freedom it provided to the DJs, the enormous influence they had over the listeners, and above all, their love for music. It captures the passion, the direct connection to the listeners, and the careful artistry involved in playlist creation.

Through its careful narration, this movie makes us reflect on how the radio industry has drastically evolved over the years, subsequently altering the role DJ's play in our lives. It brings up vital questions about the future of radio in the era of homogenized corporate formats and digital streaming, evoking a sense of nostalgia for a freer, more creative past.

In conclusion, I Am What I Play is not just for radio enthusiasts or music history buffs, but for anyone who appreciates the impact music has on society and culture. It's a trip down memory lane, filled with music, laughter, tears, and an overwhelming sense of passion. This film is a love-letter to the radio industry and a salute to the charismatic figures who left an indelible mark in the world of music broadcasting.