Mike Trivisonno, "Mr. Know-It-All" to longtime listeners, passed away suddenly before his Oct. 28th 2021 broadcast. I like many tuned in at 3 only to hear them running a presidential press conference. Then, they ran the Browns press conference about the upcoming Browns Vs. Steelers game?  I thought something was up, but never could have imagined that I'd hear my former boss come on and deliver the news while breaking up. I'd pretty much listened to every show, at least the beginning of it during my day since about 2011, but I did know him/work for him in a  distant speck of a footnote sort of way.

He was an annoying caller on Pete Franklin's sports show. I didn't listen to Pete Franklin because what did I care about sports? Then he got hired at WNCX in the mornings. "Those Guys In The Morning", was about as horrible as it could get and their most memorable "bit" was the one where they answered the phones "Hello, why do we suck?" To which callers reply "Because you do...". I was just starting in broadcasting and I  was doing a college radio morning show at the same time, so I can't  say I remember Triv on that show.

Fast forward to when I was actually employed in radio. My friend was going to television and he gave my name as his replacement. I took a gig working overnight running the board and was the board op for the great Jaz McKay. I was able to do produced comedy bits for his show and he provided me great advice.  His tips made me a better producer and  got me the chance to work with Cleveland radio legends "Jeff And Flash"  afternoon drive as their technical producer, (Fancy name for the minimum waged guy that ran the board and played commercials.) BUT, I also became their "bit guy". I'd take the topic of the day and write/produce a bit about it. Triv followed our show so I knew him and spoke to him on the changeover.  He asked if I could do a bit  for his show imitating local sports host and making fun of how the Browns were leaving Cleveland. I have recorded proof of at least two bits I did for him.  I should have just spent additional hours (unpaid) doing lots more stuff for Triv. I thought he was just about sports. How wrong that was, but at the time...  Hindsight... Don't look back You can never look back. I saw a WIOT sticker on a Cadillac. :) 

I remember my last day at the station, on the drive home  and going across an old bridge, there was a "cyclone" (mass winds, heavy rain, cloud of dust) and everybody was stopped on the bridge. I thought "wouldn't you want to be on solid ground rather than a bridge in a tornado?"  Triv was taking calls about it as he let whatever was happening in Cleveland overtake the sports talk. (Yep. See? He was Cleveland more than just Cleveland sports.) I got home and called in to tell my story and he wished me well on my Toledo journey.

Everything that could be said about Triv in person has already been said on the tribute shows.  He always will be Cleveland. Another "Cleveland Radio Legend" taken away.  Safe home Triv.

-Ric