Greg Ferrisi, the newest host at CRB Classical 99.5, discovered his love of music as a teenager riding in the back of his mom’s station wagon as he listened to 80s soft rock. Originally from Plymouth, Mass. and a Boston University alumnus, Ferrisi returned to the northeast from Oklahoma, where he hosted a morning show at a country station. As he makes his transition from country to classical, Ferrisi has revealed a hidden talent…he draws cartoons. His Maurice Ravel illustration caught our eye and we asked him more about it. When he’s not doodling, he’s on air 2-7pm on weekdays.
How do you prepare for a show?
I go through a playlist for each shift. These last few months, my focus has been trying to pronounce the names correctly. Other than that, it’s similar to how I would prepare at any station. I subscribe to a lot of newsletters, and I find interesting nuggets and local events to try and work in. I approach the role like I’m chatting with a friend.
Are there any similarities between country and classical music?
Music of all kinds is about human emotions, and whether it be love or jealousy, both country and classical express those so well. In country music, the musician may be pining after the person they love. Beethoven reportedly wrote “Moonlight Sonata” for a young woman he was in love with. I guess the fundamental similarity is that the composers and songwriters are just human.
Has anything surprised you about classical music?
My experience with classical music was during high school and college by being in the band, but I didn’t get a sense back then of the vastness of the genre. I started with saxophone in 5th grade and quickly progressed to drums in 6th grade, then played all through college. I've thought a lot of classical music pieces sound the same. But once you get into it, you see the evolution of music through all those different time periods, and it’s amazing.
How does classical music relate to your interest and degree in history?
I think classical music and history are natural companions. That’s where the Ravel comic idea came from. The comic was inspired by his reflections about his experience in World War I. Ravel wrote “Le Tombeau de Couperin” that was dedicated to friends who had died in the war. That story stuck with me. In classical music, there is history and a backstory behind every piece of music.
When did you start drawing cartoons?
Drawing cartoons has always been my side thing. I doodle whenever I have the time, and I try to take advantage of opportunities to draw. I’ve never been a full-time cartoonist and didn’t go to art school, so I enjoy drawing as a hobby.
What’s the connection between cartoons and classical music?
Comics are a simple way to get all kinds of ideas across. Artists have been doing this for generations. When I was a kid, I remember watching Tom and Jerry cartoons. Tom the cat would sit at the piano and there would be classical music in the background. Disney’s Fantasia is another good example. When you merge image and sound, it creates a really powerful storyline.
Tune into Greg Ferrisi’s shows on CRB Classical 99.5 weekdays 2pm to 7pm and view his comic artwork here.
