By Tribune-Review

Published: Wednesday, January 9, 2013, 8:56 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Bob Studebaker says the best thing about work in broadcasting is that “you don't have to work for a living.”

Studebaker, 57, has a classic radio voice that has kept him on the air at WESA-FM (90.5), the station that bought that signal from Duquesne University. He puts together the 24-hour, HD jazz programming and broadcasts four hours each Saturday night. Those roles also have made him well-known in the area jazz community.

He is a Wilkinsburg native and has been working on the air for 33 years, including a stint at a smooth jazz station that ended in 1997, when he went to work at WDUQ-FM, his current station's predecessor. Earlier, he recorded voiceovers in his home and announced for the Howard Hanna Real Estate weekend broadcast.

Studebaker and his wife have two adult children and live in Forest Hills “about a 10-minute drive from where I grew up.”

The star who would play me in the movie version of my life and why:

Maybe Ron Howard. We're about the same age.

Childhood hero and why:

Wrestler Bruno Sammartino. Because he's Bruno.

Pick one:

A. Go-Gos

B. Goo-Goo Dolls

C. Lady Gaga

D. Yo Gabba Gabba

Never liked the Go-Gos. Don't like modern pop. Have no idea what Yo Gabba Gabba is. So, I guess it's the Goo Goo Dolls by default. Can I choose Sean Jones?

Favorite brunch food:

Bacon

Favorite guilty pleasure:

Bacon

The piece of memorabilia from my childhood I wish I still had:

James Bond attaché case. Xmas 1963 (or '64)

My first job:

Setting pins at Klein's bowling lanes in Wilkinsburg

My worst job:

Brief foray into insurance sales in my early 20s

I can't live without my: iPod, cell phone, DVR, or laptop?

Laptop

My childhood nickname was:

Stu

My favorite reality show:

Don't watch any. Does the news count?

Pick one:

A. P irates

B. Penguins

C. Steelers

D. Other

E. I hate sports

Steelers, but I wish we had an NBA team.

Movie I could watch every time it appears on cable:

“The Godfather” — 1 and 2

Favorite lunchtime spot:

I'm usually at my desk.

The superpower I wish I had in real life and why:

Who wouldn't love to be able to fly?

My favorite Pittsburgh athlete:

Present day — Troy Polamalu; all-time Bruno, then Clemente, then Maz

My favorite thing about Pittsburgh is:

Its attitude, including the courtesy. We're very courteous around here.

Celebrity crush:

Caroline Kennedy, when I was a kid

When I was 10, I wanted to be:

16

I'm deathly afraid of:

Heights

The last book I read:

“Storm of Swords” by George R.R. Martin

If I was auditioning for “American Idol,” my song would be:

“Teen Angel,” because I sang that on “Ricky and Copper” when I was 5 and I still remember almost all the words

The first band I saw in concert (when and where):

Buddy Miles at the Syria Mosque

The best concert I've ever seen:

Hugh Masekela at Dowe's on 9th (although Deep Purple at the Civic Arena in ‘72 was extremely good)

Favorite Pittsburgh-area landmark.

The view coming out of the Fort Pitt Tunnels

In high school, I was:

Incredibly unmotivated

If I could live my life as someone else, it would be:

The NBA's Manu Ginobli looks like he's having fun

My favorite “bad” movie is:

“Ishtar”

My favorite cable channel:

ESPN

In five years, I'd like to:

Travel in Europe

The song that always gets me out on the dance floor and why:

I don't dance. I can't dance. I should never try to dance.

People would be surprised to know that I:

Got into radio because of a TV commercial for the Columbia School of Broadcasting while watching “Chiller Theater”

TV marathon I could watch all day:

Bogart movies

1. Kovacevic: Why did Pens even get Iginla?
2. Coach Tomlin, Steelers facing plenty of questions as OTAs start
3. Penguins’ breakdown on Alfredsson goal changes series
4. Commissioners, sanitary authority remain at odds
5. Penguins Insider: Players’ focus in right place
6. Senators exude confidence after stirring Game 3 victory
7. Heart patients accuse Excela of conspiracy
8. Improved depth could drive Pirates’ fortunes deep into season
9. Cooke has been steadying force for Penguins in playoffs
10. Steelers reach agreement with sixth-round pick Williams
11. Penguins notebook: Jokinen’s faceoff skills may be needed

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