Catherine Generous is KCRW’s December Volunteer of the Month

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new photo meShe’s probably tired of the many ways people have played with her last name throughout her life, but here it goes…Catherine definitely lives up to her name – she is so generous with her time. How generous? Since 1989 generous! Aside form her regular shift, she has come to the rescue many a time and we are ever so thankful.

Where did you grow up and are you an only child?
Born and raised in Baltimore. One older sister, 2 younger stepbrothers.

What is your current occupation?
Freelance bookkeeper and business manager, personal assistant and jack of all many trades.

What is your fantasy occupation?
Anything where I don’t sit in front of a computer screen.  I would love to be sailing the seas rescuing marine mammals or some other physical hands on conservation, environmental, sustainability endeavor.

When did you first discover KCRW?
I think it was sometime around 1989.  I was a hardcore punk rock KXLU listener but got interested in world news and politics.  I started tuning in to NPR news and found myself sticking around for the music.  And then I started sticking around for everything else.   I became a member almost immediately.

How did you find your way to our station for volunteering?
I was living a couple blocks away and started attending classes at SMC.  I thought, why not check it out?  It was so close, I was an avid listener and I needed a diversion from studies.

What’s your current volunteer position and how long have you been at it?
I work as production assistant with the awesome Anne Litt on Sundays and recently started doing every other Saturday with the equally awesome Raul Campos.  I’ve been doing the music shows forever and have worked regularly with several longtime DJs at KCRW.  Tom Schnabel, Chris Douridas, Liza Richardson to name a few.

 Favorite volunteer moment?
Oh wow!  Tough question, there have been so many!  All the live performances I witnessed.  Cesaria Evora, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and so many magnificent artists that graced the studios over the years.  Sitting in the studio chatting with Tom Waits was pretty awesome too.  And then, watching the brilliant Joe Frank doing his sub drive pitches.  Those were epic!

If you could get on the mic and say one sentence on the air, what would it be?
You are listening to KCRW – Do you know how lucky you are?  (is that 2 sentences?  Oh, well!)

What song have you hit repeat on lately?
Impossible for me to have one single song (hello! – music junkie here).  Currently – These Shadows by Wooden Shjips and that new Jazzanova track Now There is We.  Always and forever would have to be anything from Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground.

Favorite book, movie?
Oh too many of each to choose from!  I’ll take a stab at the first thing that comes to mind.  Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness.  And the movie based on that, Apocalypse Now.  But I can’t leave out A Clockwork Orange and other Kubrick films.  And I love David Lynch films and so many others that leave me with the feeling of “what the f* just happened there?”  I do love the wacky and the absurd when it comes to books and movies!

Favorite thing to do outside the station?
Didn’t I already tell you I am a music junkie?  I can not live without it!  I also play around in my garden but seem to always have a jungle scene going on out there.  One day I might get it right.  Another favorite activity is heading up to Malibu with my dog Gogo for a nice long walk on the beach.  I am also a little obsessed studying up on environmental issues and emerging technology designed to address sustainability.  For the most part, I spend way too much time doing stuff I love and not getting my work done!

What does KCRW mean to you?
It’s my comfort zone.  From the moment I wake in the morning and flip on the radio, I feel connected to everything I am passionate about.

Catherine, your insight and experience at KCRW is invaluable. You’re woven into the history of the place and you help make us who we are. Just one more question, did the name make the woman or the woman make the name? Either way, we’re lucky to be the recipients of your generosity!