Stevens Point’s Music Man — Jim Oliva aka “Oz”
Oz is celebrating his 40th year with TRIVIA. This Year’s Theme: TRIVIA RUSH OF 49 and happens April 13-15, 2018 and your direct access to all things related to TRIVIA RUSH OF 49 is: www.90fmtrivia.org. The longstanding radio game was co-created in 1969 by Nick Ryan and Tim Donovan, but this year marks (the second Oz), Jim Oliva’s 40th year. For years now, he co-writes the world-wide annual radio trivia contest with John Eckendorf.
While Stevens Point’s annual contest is synonymous with Jim, aka Oz, I knew there was more to this music man, so I pitched the idea of interviewing him. Here’s what I found out. Did you know in his youth he worked at Polk Department Store in Illinois? Of course, in the record department, when in the early 50s you could buy 45 rpms for a penny each. His current collections of records, CDs, cassettes, and magazines related to music and entertainment have gone way beyond those initial 45s. The house of Oz, near downtown Stevens Point, is filled with music–and his drum set. That’s right, the Oz plays drums when he can. He took piano lessons, and plays some guitar, but favors the drums.
He is a second generation Italian American, but defines himself simply as American. When food entered into our conversation, I asked for a recipe, and he verbally gave me his ingredients for a Vegan Chili — no fat, no salt — seasoned with Chili Powder, Cumin, Bay Leaves, Peppers, and Garlic. About the garlic, he added, “In my versions, if they say a clove, they must mean a head.” Just last week he also made up a good batch of potato, kale, and red kidney bean soup. As a child of the 1950s, his favorite cookbook is Betty Crocker.
While he enjoys cooking in his renovated kitchen (Oz likes working on projects inside the house, and in the yard.) he does eat out, and even enjoys some meat dishes. In Chicago, he is a fan of Chicken Vesuvius at Augustino’s at Harlem and Diversy, and he’s worked hard to duplicate that recipe for cooking it at home. Another restaurant in Addison, IL. called Amolfi’s would pique any foodie’s interest with menu items using neck bones, polenta, sausage, and/or being able to order their Escarole Soup.
His love affair with music started at age two. There’s a family picture of Jim standing next to a jukebox when he first heard, “See Ya Later Alligator”, and he was taken in by the songs of Fats Domino, Little Richard. Growing up listening to DaddyO’Daily on WJJD; and of course, WCFL playing its contemporary music, and jazz at night. Then there was the 8th grade history road trip to Galena, IL. where he was impressed by the cannonball maker, but more impressed on the ride home hearing Dick Biondi on-air. So impressed that he told his mother, he was going to visit Mr. Biondi at his radio station. At 14, after numerous visits to the station, Dick brought him into the studio to spin some records, and Oz was hooked. Biondi would even take him along if there was a regional sock hop. “Little Duece Coup” was the first song Oz ever heard in stereo. Oliva lived in Madison for nine years; did a stint as a janitor before going back to school.
He studied mathematics, but switched to English and History, and Computer Science, and ended up in Stevens Point where he taught at Ben Franklin for 10 years; then he worked for CAP Services, retiring in 2014. But in 1976 he got his FCC License after getting more involved in the radio station on campus, WWSP. He’s still there today.
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Other reasons that he’s fond of the Stevens Point area: there’s Radio Kaos, a great music store; Elbow Room, a wonderful bar that hosts musicians; and a number of great area restaurants. His central state location offers access to bigger cities and their music venues. The only other city that would tempt him is Durango, CO. Why? “It’s just a cool place.”
Some favorite philosophies and quotes were offered up within the couple of hours we talked that day in January, like: “Keep your temper, nobody else wants it.” Or in grading his students, “Everyone walks in with an A, and they have to work to lower it.”As in life, “People are stupid, and they have to work hard to get smart.” Other interests? Movies he recently viewed included the film, “Hidden Figures” which has left a lasting impression. Books? After finishing “Rape in Chicago” which studied cases in Cook County from 1932 to 1973; he’s started “I am Brian Wilson”, and that lead me to ask about memorable concerts, and favorite acts. The Beach Boys, the original five, went to the top of his very eclectic list. Probably the most memorable concert was seeing Paul McCartney, “It was truly spiritual.” Best musical groups he rated as King Crimson, also Little Feat, “I can’t even describe how far above every other band they are.” This past year the most moving, emotional concert — ever — was watching Graham Nash. Describing Nash’s lyrics as brilliant, and adding, “He changed my life.”
I hope you agree there’s a lot to The Oz, more than meets the eye. He has two sisters, and his mother recently passed at 96 after “doing pretty well”. His daughter is married, and lives in Stevens Point. A son, Aaron, lives in North Carolina and is a bass player in the band called, Sarah Shook and the Disarmers. Their record label is Bloodshot Records of Chicago, and they have another album debuting in April. Oz is grandfather to three grandchildren.
Jim Oliva loves his family, his radio days, drumming, Trivia, and Beatle Fest on the first of May. If there’s any extra time, he’ll alphabetize a few more of his albums and the other collections, but every day he listens to a few selections he pulls out–just for that day. What was he listening to the day of the interview? Van Morrison, Black Sabbath, and Santana. The day before it was: Joni Mitchell, Dixie Chicks, and Cameo Parkway. Some of his other memorabilia includes a framed, handwritten lyric by Graham Nash which includes another thought-provoking quote: “Is my future just my past?”.
Tune in to WWSP, at 90FM, to hear more of Oz during his 40th year of the world famous competition, Trivia Rush of 49, airing April 13th through the 15th. Or listen anytime of the year, because there’s more music, Stevens Point’s Music Man wants to share.
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