SIUE teacher lives the separate life of a radio personality

Mass communications instructor Mike Montgomery leads a double life. Each weekday morning he begins his day by teaching one of four classes on his roster. But, every afternoon from 3 to 5 p.m., he hosts his own radio program called "Matinee Madness" on the Alton radio station WBGZ, 1570 AM.

Montgomery began doing the daily radio show in July 1995, following a weekly commentary program called, "What's Eating You," on which he would "rant and rave about inconsiderate people, government waste and bureaucratic bungling."

Matinee Madness opens with "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns 'n' Roses as its theme song and features a number of regular guests.

Larry Hostetler, medical technologist and coordinator of the Lewis and Clark Community College Medical Laboratory Technologist program, airs as Mr. Science on Tuesdays. He talks about health, space and anything else touching on science. Hostetler was invited to appear as a regular after the two became acquainted when Montgomery was a part-time instructor at Lewis.

"Mike's his own guy," Hostetler said. "He's smart and knows his stuff and is very articulate - and if you're not, he'll let you know."

On Wednesdays, the executive director of Pride Inc., a beautification group, and the executive director of Alton Marketplace alternate appearances. Jerome Morris, a local public housing resident, makes a regular appearance on Thursdays to offer his perspective on politics from the national to the local level. Morris was a frequent caller to the program when Montgomery asked him to show up as a regular on-air personality.

Elementary school teacher Toni Fry comes to the show on Fridays, and she and Montgomery debate gender issues.

"We use Cosmo (Cosmopolitan magazine) polls and the like," Montgomery said. "I make a lot of risquŽ jokes during the week and several times a couple of old women have called me on the air to say (to quote one), 'Sex, sex, sex. That's all you ever talk about.' "

Montgomery has carte blanche on Mondays. In the absence of a guest, he and news director Jim Scanlan will ad lib or occasionally sing bits of songs on the air together.

"We're both terrible, " Montgomery said. "But we have lots of fun."

Last Monday, Montgomery's guest was the executive chef of the Alton Holiday Inn, John Greever. Montgomery enjoys cooking and thought it would be fun to have a food personality on the air.

"I like to cook," Montgomery said. "I make the best Caesar salad you ever tasted."

"This was my first time on a radio program," Greever said. "It was a lot of fun. Mike's a neat guy who really makes you feel at ease."

Before he began his dual duty as a teacher and radio personality. Montgomery held positions as a general assignment reporter, courts reporter, investigative reporter, copy editor, city editor and executive director, and a public relations executive.

"I've been an independent practitioner with non-profit groups," Montgomery said. "Primarily with Vietnam veterans. I spent five years in the army and served in Vietnam for one year."

Montgomery said the takes all callers to me program, including one regular who does an imitation of Butthead, from MTV's "Beavis and Butthead."

"I have no idea who the fellow is," Montgomery said.