Author Interview Series
Author Interview: Ray Shasho
Check the Gs:
The True Story of an Eclectic American Family and Their Wacky Family Business
Reviewed by: Gary Sorkin, Pacific Book Review
PBR: Today we have the pleasure of talking to Ray
Shasho, author of the new book Check the
Gs. Thank you, Ray, for spending a
bit of time with us.
RS: It’s all my pleasure. I also write a classic
rock music column, so I’m normally the interviewer; it’s nice to be the
interviewee for a change.
PBR: It is known that some people have photographic memories; being able to
remember images clearly in their mind. From my observation reading your book, I’d say you have a “phonographic
memory” the way you remember songs and how you associate them to the events of
your past.
RS: I think so. I can still feel every moment of
my life, as if it were yesterday. Remembering so easily provoked the passion to write the book.
Remembering certain songs over the years also helped to timeline certain
events.
PBR: What are some of your favorite songs and recording artists?
RS: Being a Top 40 radio deejay in the late 70’s
and early 80’s, I enjoyed just about everything, especially when you compare
the music then with what’s being played today. I think the Golden age of music
was definitely the 60’s. I grew up listening to WPGC “Good Guys” Radio in the
Washington Metropolitan area. On WPGC, you would hear Motown, Sinatra, Elvis
and the Beatles, and they weren’t the oldies, they were the current Top 40
artists. And the deejays were so cool.
You could tune in at 3am, and the jock on the air was just as captivating as
the day jocks. Anyway back to your
original question, I’ve always been inspired by the Brits and the likes of
Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Robin Trower. Of course the Brits
were inspired by American Blues. But I
also loved anything by Sinatra. I attended five concerts by Sinatra.
PRB: Now you definitely have a “wacky” family, as you so comically state, but
they are also a wonderful family, with much love and a strong bond. How have they taken to “your version of
history” as written in your book?
RS: The entire family could not be more
supportive. Mom and Dad are in their late 80’s now. They live only minutes from
my home here in Bradenton. Mom immediately phoned all of her friends to buy the
book. Dad wanted lots of pictures in the book but I wanted the reader to use
their imaginations. They are behind me all the way. I’d love to see the both of
them on Jay Leno. As a matter of fact Leno came into the store once looking for
video games.
PBR: I was curious about how the word “G”
got defined?
RS: Definitely an enigma. Every Syrian Jew in the
retail business identifies a customer as a G. I’m not sure how far back it
goes, it’s accepted as common language and no one every asked why we used it. Our
family used a lot of strange slang that we used in our everyday language. I
knew we were different but I also thought we had somewhat of an advantage than
most people, like we were part of a secret society or something.
PBR: As you can tell from my review of your book, I thoroughly enjoyed your
storytelling. Do you plan to continue
your writing career?
RS: Yes, I hope to. There are three new books
buzzing around in my head. I’d like to try and write two books at the same
time. I may have to line up two laptops side by side to accomplish that. I
think I have finally found my calling in life. Now it’s up to God to allow me
to continue.
PBR: We certainly wish you the most success with your book, and again thank
you for your time.
RS: I’m so
glad that you enjoyed the story and thank you so much for the opportunity to
discuss it …now get out there and Check
the Gs!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Read review of Check the Gs
| 
