IN 1973, I HEARD a fresh new voice on WGSO radio that I thought would be perfect for a Luzianne coffee commercial I was producing. I wrote the script and went to the studio to create my commercial with the new announcer from Detroit who had great pipes—Dan Milham. The spot began with the phrase, “Here in New Orleans,” and Milham intoned, with his deep, rich voice, “Here in New Orleens.” I interrupted to explain that it was only pronounced that way in songs
Then he heard from his uncle named Sam, who offered him an all-expenses-paid vacation in Southeast Asia. “How could I pass that up? By the way, they said, ‘You’re not gonna pass this up!’” Dan served honorably in the Vietnam War, creating weaponry-efficiency information tracking. After the Tet offensive, he saw combat during those early years and returned home with memories he’d rather forget.
rhyming with “red beans,” “Creole queens” and
On To New Orleans Weather played a big part in Dan Milham’s move
maybe “pinball machines.” He learned to pronounce it “New Awlins.” Every time we’ve gotten together
to New Orleans.
through the past 38 years, I’ve reminded Dan who taught him how to say “New Orleans” properly. We’ve remained friends anyway.
“In February 1973, I left a radio station in Detroit for the opportunity to become a staff announcer and program host at WGSO in New Orleans. It was a mild
Blue Skies by Webb Williams
I interviewed Dan at his lovely home in Slidell’s Oak Harbor, where he and his wife, Paula, also a TV
Dan Milham: Profile of a Retired Weatherman
broadcast veteran, have lived since 1993.
winter up north, so I looked forward to seeking my fortune in the sunny southland. I had a Volkswagen
Early Days The late ’50s found Dan in his eastside Detroit
building a radio studio and generally learning his craft. In college, he majored in mass communications, working in radio and acting in productions for a local PBS station, all the while fine-tuning his talents. In the early ’60s, Milham, blessed with a good voice for radio and knowing that girls really dug DJs, got his first job as a rock jock.
snowing, and they closed off the bridges. I thought it was really hardly snowing. So, being a snow-savvy northerner, the first thing I did when I got to New Orleans was break the law—go around the barricades—’cause I didn’t know how else to get into the city. But I wasn’t the only one doing it, and I finally made it to the radio station for my interview.” He asked a doorman in the French Quarter if they had salt trucks for the snow piling up in the streets. The doorman said they had salt in saltshakers in the restaurants, but otherwise, he had no idea what Dan was talking about. The New Orleans market welcomed Milham, with his wit and warmth as an announcer, his proficiency as a producer and, eventually, as program director. When the station had the Saints broadcast rights, Dan produced the programs. Once in 1977, when Dan and I had drinks after >>
set at Channel 6. I N S I D E N O RT H S I D E
photo: COURTESY OF DAN MILHAM
driving down to New Orleans was going to be easy, I thought. At the twin bridges at Slidell, it started
Dan Milham on the
68
Beetle because it was so snowy-weather-cold hearty and
high school involved in a broadcasting guild, doing public address announcements, performing in plays,