American
Variety Radio™ first aired as a weekly talk show with host Court Lewis
on Melbourne, Florida’s WMEL-AM920 in February 2004. After more than 3
years on the AM airwaves across Central Florida, the show joined the
program lineup of WFIT-FM, at the Florida Institute of Technology.
Building on that base, American Variety has since expanded to several other
Public Radio stations around Florida and the Southeast U.S.
As
its name implies, American Variety is an eclectic show. Host Court
Lewis describes its theme as “...an anti-theme: Anything but politics!”
There are a number of recurring topics that pop up here and there, he
says. “One of the most frequent is what I call ‘Amazing
Americans’—people who are among the best in the country or even the
world at what they do, but who fly under the radar and are not well
known outside their profession.” Another recurring theme is “’Back in
the Day’ Day,” when American Variety explores an interesting and
out-of-the-way aspect of the way life used to be in different regions of
America, or focuses on a disappearing vestige of country life. Guests
here are authors, historians, ranchers, and old-timers who remember the
way things were back in the day. Current currents in the arts and pop
culture will often attract our attention. Many shows look at interesting
aspects of science and technology, from possible new energy sources to
defense and security technology, to biotechnoloy to climate change.
“Genderology” is another occasional theme, featuring Court talking
humorously with a woman—often a doctor, psychologist, or lawyer—on the
different points of view between men and women on specific topics. Vive
la Difference!
Guests
on American Variety include a fascinating mix of explorers, scientists,
astronauts, artists, writers, entrepreneurs—all people who have
something in common: They followed their dream, no matter how
unlikely or unattainable it might have seemed, and succeeded. The show
offers an antidote to the constant drone of negative, dispiriting news
and political shouting matches in the media, by focusing on inspiring
people, positive events, and the rich variety of lifestyles and pursuits
that living in America still makes possible.
Court
Lewis is a third-generation Miamian, recently transplanted to a horse
farm in East Tennessee, with degrees in both chemistry and literature.
“I have a ridiculously wide range of interests,” Lewis laughs, “and the
show feeds my habit. But the really great thing about hosting the show
has been the huge number of interesting people I’ve been able to meet
from all walks of life. I didn’t think about that, going in, but it has
turned out to be the most rewarding part of the job!”
Court can be reached at court@americanvarietyradio.com