RADIO BROADCAST FROM POWERS Funny host has many tuning in

That missing 600-pound welding machine that Jim Traficant referred to in his trial? Ask Michael Feldman where it is.
By DEBORA SHAULIS
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
YOUNGSTOWN -- Michael Feldman distributed samples of Zim's Crack Creme, sampled wines from celebrity vineyards, quizzed people on local trivia and tapped his foot to the sounds of a hillbilly polka -- all part of the game of live radio.
Two hours breezed by Saturday in Edward W. Powers Auditorium, from where Feldman's "Whad'Ya Know" comedy and quiz program was broadcast to more than 1.3 million listeners nationwide. WYSU-FM 88.5, the public radio station at Youngstown State University, had campaigned for Feldman to come here from his home base in Madison, Wis.
"They don't have to pay me to come to Youngstown," Feldman joked moments before the broadcast began.
"Akron, they paid me big money. I still have some of that."
Fast-thinking Feldman didn't need much encouragement to turn something incidental into something humorous.
Feldman loved Zim's Crack Creme, a first-aid product, for its name. Zim's and Schwebel's Baking Co., both local companies, were the primary sponsors Saturday.
More than just Traficant
He promised that the show wouldn't be all about U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. of Poland "simply because they gave me 800 copies of The Vindicator and that's all that was in it for the last three months," he said.
Well, there were plenty of observations on Traficant's recent conviction on 10 federal charges.
"I don't think ants have testicles," Feldman said, referring to one of Traficant's off-the-cuff insults for federal prosecutors. He was surprised to learn from the Traficant trial transcript that the House of Representatives is actually the "house of political prostitutes."
"However, Internal Rectal Service, you've gotta give him that," Feldman said over the audience laughter.
"A little Crack Creme would certainly help that last one."
Feldman also recalled the 600-pound welding machine that Traficant wanted to introduce as evidence but couldn't because "three big white men" stole it. "I'm sitting in my dressing room and I hear three knocks on the door," Feldman said, then left his desk to uncover a welding machine, with tanks and hoses and a shiny silver link chain around it.
"So I'm thinking what, retrial?" Feldman asked.
Feldman gave compliments to Mill Creek Park -- "Mill Stream Park," he first called it; Powers, which he correctly noted was an original Warner Brothers theater; and Butler Institute of American Art, among others.
Audience participation
Feldman accidentally tapped into the area's parochialism the first time he wandered into the audience.
He interviewed Jack Walsh of Salem, who described the community as a peaceful place where people wouldn't bother him.
"If I'm bothered, where am I? Still in Youngstown, or Boardman?" Feldman asked.
"Probably in Canfield," Walsh replied, while audience members either clapped or groaned. Feldman was lost, and he admitted it.
Feldman asked about the Canfield issue during his second venture offstage.
A Canfield woman guessed that it had something to do with a strict police department.
"It's a rich suburb and they're kind of snobs," said a non-Canfield resident on the other side of the aisle. More groans and clapping ensued.
Interviewees
Even though the names of some interviewees were familiar to locals, Feldman brought out another side of their personalities.
Railroad worker-turned-state Sen. Robert Hagan discussed his jobs, his 13 siblings and their political interests.
As a former opponent of Traficant during his last bid for re-election, Hagan joked that there were more people at Feldman's radio show than there were votes for him.
To Feldman's observation that the Hagans are like the Kennedys and the Bushes in one, Hagan responded, "We're not that wealthy. We might be the K-Mart Kennedys."
Dr. Lou Zona, the Butler's executive director, once had aspirations to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates. When Feldman asked about Zona's pitching abilities, "I had a catcher once who told me he threw the ball faster to me than I threw it to him," Zona said.
Audience member Gary Grover of Beaver Township got Feldman's attention by jotting down a number of his self-appointed titles, including the "Prince of Painting," "Master of Plaster" and "Duke of Drywall."
Feldman wanted to know what he was mostly; "A slouch," Grover replied. Asked to give a tip to other drywallers, "Get at least a case of beer," Grover said.
Show's other features
There were quiz questions about John Young, founder of Youngstown, and the origin of Youngstown State University's sports nickname, the Penguins.
Music was supplied by Feldman's three-piece jazz trio and Hillbilly Idol, a roots music band from Chardon. The five-man band played two songs, one of which was done in tribute to northeast Ohio -- "Hillbilly Polka."
By show's end, Feldman was pouring wine by filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola and retired TV actor Fess Parker into paper cups for his stage mates.
The wine, as well as several Italian specialty dishes, was supplied by Richard Alberini, Niles restaurateur and wine expert.
Feldman was asked what he knows about Youngstown.
"I think I got the Canfield joke now," Feldman said, sitting on the Powers stage after signing many autographs.
Overall, he was pleased. The audience was responsive, and Alberini's sausage-stuffed pepper was still making his mouth water -- even though the dish had disappeared.
"I'd give it top marks," announcer Jim Packard said of the broadcast, noting that this was the 98th road show for "Whad'Ya Know.'
XListen to the show in its entirety at www.notmuch.com.
shaulis@vindy.com