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A walk with

Steven Karidoyanes

The door opens, a burst of cool air rushes across his face as the conductor steps out
purposefully, raising his hand…”Good morning!”

Even before 2020 became a meme for new habits, Steven Karidoyanes has always
incorporated a brisk walk around his Boston neighborhood into his daily routine. “I
like to embrace the day with some exercise and fresh air…and once in a while, I find

inspiration!” says the maestro.

That’s exactly what happened last spring. One might assume that the conductor’s ears are
filled with classical masterpieces on his promenade. “Actually, I listen to my dear friends,
Rob Hakala & Lisa Azizian on WATD’s South Shore Morning News,” laughs Karidoyanes,

referring to his auditory choice. “It’s the best way I know to stay on top of what’s going on
around the South Shore.”
“I like to embrace the day with

Karidoyanes recounts a special Friday
morning in April he won’t soon forget. some exercise and fresh air…and
once in a while, I find inspiration!”
“I’m on my walk and it was about 6:50
am when I hear Lisa on the radio say, “Because of the pandemic, we don’t have anything

to report for this week’s What to Do with the Kids segment at 7:11 — but maybe we’ll
have a special surprise guest interview instead. Stay tuned!” I got excited hearing this
and began guessing who the surprise guest could possibly be.

“Then the alarm on my smartphone chirped that I had an incoming text. It was from
Lisa. It read: ‘Steven!! Will you call in at 7:11?’ I texted back: ‘I’m taking my morning walk.
I might be huffing and puffing — but I’ll call in.’ And so I did. Since it was the start of

Easter weekend, Rob, Lisa and I shared a delightful on-air chat about our families’ various
Easter traditions. What a joy!”

That surprise morning interruption inspired an idea in Karidoyanes that would help WATD
fill their program gap, and keep Karidoyanes doing what he does best: bringing great

classical music to the south shore community.

“Early the following week I sent an email to Rob and Lisa proposing Name That Tune to

fill in while the What to Do with the Kids segment is on hiatus,” recalls Karidoyanes. “They
enthusiastically embraced the idea.” Name That Tune, the classical edition, was born.

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