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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute Anonymous local makeup artist dolled up Monica for trial Crime is up and many crimes have gone uninvestigated, he says Medford robbery suspect arrested after pursuit in Bend State reviews Rogue Valley youth treatment program after arrests Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Medford robbery suspect arrested after pursuit in Bend Dispose of documents and prescription drugs safely on Saturday Emergency services Teenager struck, killed by pickup Emergency Services Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Former state Senate President Brady Adams dies Education Needs improvement SWAT students track progress of stream restoration efforts Students participate in fuel reduction effort at Ruch School New funding formula awards universities for graduating more students Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Environment Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute Jackson County's wildlife services agent seen as both killer and savior Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste Sugar Pine Mine co-owner: "Please stop calling the BLM and threatening their personnel" Oath Keepers say they'll defend contested mining claim on BLM land State News Oregon House committee OKs more background checks on firearm sales Search for missing plane, pilot in Oregon enters third day Cheetah, dog are fast friends Bill would let motorcyclists drive between cars during jams Oregon legislators go after slow drivers Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Dennis Von Ting Richard "Dick" John Herbstruth Death Notices Florene LaVonne (Johnson) Stephens Cheryl Ann Orr Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories South sweeps Willamette in SWC track Eagles stymie Knights for nonleague win Millsap scores 19, Hawks hold off Nets Nowhere to hide Six locals selected for Les Schwab Bowl Varsity 541 College Sports Marshall stays with Ducks to get better Eckert, Beavers take series from Arizona Randall drives SOU into postseason Beaver fans get first look at Andersen, Collins Raiders drop two pitching duels at EOU Pro Sports Millsap scores 19, Hawks hold off Nets Nowhere to hide Six locals selected for Les Schwab Bowl Twins blank Guthrie, Royals Judge OKs 65-year deal over concussions Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories New home in an old house Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Jackson County's March unemployment rate returns to pre-recession level Ride & Drive: 2015.5 Volvo V60 Cross Country Real Estate News New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house GREEN ACRES: Southern Oregon provides escape from the maddening crowd Since You Asked: Metro Medford rebranding proved economical Jackson County median home price hits $215,000 in first quarter People In Business People in Business, March 26, 2015 Transportation Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Agriculture Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Opinion Latest Arthur I. Cyr: Japan-U.S. trade deal advances, with Pacific and global significance Letters to the Editor, April 23 Granlund cartoon: Tebow joins the Eagles Rick Holmes: Time to retire POW/MIA flags Granlund cartoon: Obama and the Everglades Editorials Our View: Public's right to film police should be protected Our View: Raises for Jackson County officials — again Other Views: Delay edible marijuana products for safety Our View: The rule of law vs. armed confrontation Other Views: State Board of Education dragging its feet over Native American mascots Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 23 Letters to the Editor, April 22 Letters to the Editor, April 21 Letters to the Editor, April 20 Letters to the Editor, April 19 Columns Dana Milbank: The right's new claim: same-sex marriage is deadly Kathleen Parker: Mr. Hughes goes to Washington Esther Cepeda: What happens in Latin America should be reported Kathleen Parker: Presidential election 2016: The woman trap Dana Milbank: America's new cycle of partisan hatred Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Lifestyle Latest stories The joy of true wasabi MS fundraising walk held in Central Point Saturday Season Stepp: Veggie treat hidden deep inside artichokes Dr. Jeff Hersh: Could severe cramping mean endometriosis? Dr. Murray Feingold: Is pre-op testing for cataract surgery necessary? Food The joy of true wasabi Season Stepp: Veggie treat hidden deep inside artichokes Tammy Kelly: The South’s favorite side dish — slaw Community blog: Steep, don't smother, chilaquiles in red chili sauce Page H. Onorato: Did you really eat that? Home and Garden Garden Cameos: Spring is time for azaleas in the garden Dear Monty: Seven costly mistakes of new real estate investors Paul Rogers: Enjoy convenience of container gardening Home Help: 3 quick, easy kitchen and bath upgrades Carol Link: Tea olive shrubs can be propagated from new growth Health Dr. Jeff Hersh: Could severe cramping mean endometriosis? Dr. Murray Feingold: Is pre-op testing for cataract surgery necessary? Community blog: What about Lucy? Brent St. Germain: One year and counting Community blog: The Healing Power of Nature Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Milestones and Achievements Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Alba's Edge at Headwaters in Ashland Regional brewers, distillers, winemakers at Harry & David Field A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Britt adds Watkins Family Hour concert with Sean and Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek, Fiona Apple and others Theater 'Secret Love' playwright Stan Lai appears in Ashland REVIEW: 'Secret Love' strikes comical, poignant balance Ashland New Plays Festival chooses new artistic director A tale of two plays at OSF Oregon Cabaret Theatre's "The Musical!" delivers five clever Broadway parodies in Ashland Music Alba's Edge at Headwaters in Ashland Britt adds Watkins Family Hour concert with Sean and Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek, Fiona Apple and others Alex de Grassi and Andrew York play SOU Live Music in Local Clubs L.A. rockers The Relationship play Howiee's Community Events Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Foreign language film festival set at SOU Regional brewers, distillers, winemakers at Harry & David Field A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art Dining Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Restaurant inspections: April 19, 2015 Siam Cafe offers 'mild' to 'very spicy' Thai cuisine Restaurant inspections, April 12, 2015 La Tapatia offers authentically delicious cuisine Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute ... Oregon House committee OKs more background checks on firearm sales ... Crime is up and many crimes have gone uninvestigated, he says ... Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute ... Oregon House committee OKs more background checks on firearm sales ... Crime is up and many crimes have gone uninvestigated, he says ... Street 'musician' loves his work Former disc jockey Cheek promotes businesses, rocks out for passers-by MEDFORD — In baby-blue pajamas, rocking out to Mick Jagger and waving at passing traffic, Phoenix resident Dan Cheek hardly notices the freezing temperatures or the occasional sideways glances from motorists. Comment By Buffy Pollock MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock Posted Jan. 14, 2012 at 12:01 AM Updated Jan 14, 2012 at 2:45 AM By Buffy Pollock Posted Jan. 14, 2012 at 12:01 AM Updated Jan 14, 2012 at 2:45 AM » Social News MEDFORD — In baby-blue pajamas, rocking out to Mick Jagger and waving at passing traffic, Phoenix resident Dan Cheek hardly notices the freezing temperatures or the occasional sideways glances from motorists. Cars and trucks rush past during lunch hour, some drivers shake their heads or smile and wave, while others look befuddled. A street marketer with his own following on YouTube, Cheek is a local celebrity of sorts. He was a popular radio-show host for two decades, once co-hosting the "Morning Zoo" on KTMT-FM (93.7). Often recognized by former listeners, Cheek, 47, finds some irony in the fact that he spent the first half of his adult life using his voice to make a living and now he rocks out in virtual silence. On Thursday, a police car pulls up to the stop light at 10th and Central. For a split second Cheek debates whether to "assume the position" or theatrically drop his sign and attempt an escape. Instead, he plays his fake guitar for the officer while using the "instrument" to shield his face, eliciting chuckles from passers-by. Not long after, a pedestrian with a guitar bag on one shoulder attempts to ignore Cheek's jam session, to which the PJ-clad jammer responds by swinging his guitar-turned-bat as the man walks away. "The ironic thing about it is, I actually make more money acting like I play music than any of my friends who can play music actually make by playing it," says Cheek. Musicians, Cheek says, sometimes join his jam session, while others seem indignant at his wannabe attempts. There was a time, however, when musicians and celebrities were thrilled over some on-air time with Cheek. After moving from California at age 6, Cheek grew up near Greensprings with a knack for chit-chat, knowing early on he'd one day entertain. "I saw an episode of 'Happy Days' when Richie becomes a disc jockey —'Richie the C.' And from the time I was 8 years old, that was all I wanted to be." From age 18 until the ripe old age of 40, he lived his dream. He spent decades on the air meeting some of his favorite musicians, with Alice Cooper and David Bowie at the top of his list. Others included Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Robert Palmer, KISS, Loverboy, Cheap Trick — for whom he was allowed to "sing backup" during one song in a concert — Aerosmith and REO Speedwagon. After leaving radio in 2004, Cheek became a stay-at-home dad to twin sons, now grown, and two daughters, now 9 and 12. A re-entry into radio didn't happen when he last attempted it, he says, explaining that the industry had changed drastically. "It's like being on a train, stepping off the train and into the woods, then coming back out of the woods and expecting the train to be in the same place it was when you left," says Cheek. He began waving a sign and donning costumes four years ago for Liberty Tax. Outside tax season, gigs have varied from advertising in creepy costumes for the Spirit Halloween store and donning a pink gorilla getup for Curves Fitness. "What the hell a pink gorilla has to do with women's fitness is beyond me!" quips Cheek. His favorite gig so far has been rocking out for Medford Mattress, which helped him lose 60 pounds in less than a year and resulted in a loyal YouTube following. "I believe he really makes a difference for us," says Tony Kell, a manager at the mattress store. "We've had several compliments, and people sure notice he's out there because they'll call and come in just to comment on how he does such a good job." Brian Fraser, who works in sales for OPUS Broadcasting, says Cheek, whether waving a mattress sign or eliciting chuckles over the airwaves, is a local favorite. "He's a very, very funny, very talented, extremely creative guy," Fraser says. "When Dan and I started in radio, there was a jock in every studio 24 hours a day. There have been a lot of changes, but Dan was always extremely effective on the air. In fact, I'm not sure why he's not still doing it." "I spent the first half of my life listening to great music, entertaining people and meeting celebrities," Cheek says. "I'm still performing for an audience of 10,000 to 15,000. It's just in increments that are two and four at a time. "This isn't a job for everyone, but I love what I do. And if I can put a smile on somebody's face that wasn't there before, then I consider that a good day." Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. Email her at [email protected]. By Buffy Pollock MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock Posted Jan. 14, 2012 at 12:01 AM Updated Jan 14, 2012 at 2:45 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. 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