I grew up in the Midwest, with dreams of becoming an engineer and pilot. But, I got my first taste of broadcasting in high school at our ten watt radio station and from then on I was hooked. In college I worked at two different radio stations doing everything from turning on the transmitter Sunday mornings, to spinning records, writing news and even reading the obituaries on air. That latter job may sound macabre, but the switchboard would light up if we didn't do them, or if we mispronounced a name. After college, I got a job writing radio news at the princely sum of $4.50 per hour. It was a great experience. I learned how to write breaking news and long form stories that looked into the deeper issues of crime and poverty, and sports versus education. I worked with some of the best broadcasters in the business and picked their brains for every bit of information about our industry. Fortunately, they were more than willing to help and I can't thank them enough.
In 1989 I took my first TV job in St. Louis working midnight to 6 a.m., doing 30 second live news cut-ins at the top of every hour. It wasn't glamorous, but it got my foot in the door. After six months of volunteering to go out on every story, and do every interview, and generally making a pest of myself, I was hired full-time; undoubtedly just to shut me up.
In 1994, I joined ABC7, and it has been a dream come true. My family simply loves the Bay Area and I love working with the professionals that make ABC7, one of America's best sources of news and information; and believe me only professionals should see each other without makeup at 3:30 in the morning. That's when we'd arrive to prepare for the ABC7 Morning News. The newscast is as fresh and fun now as it was when I joined the program in 1996.
BTW, when I'm not on the air I'm probably buried in some history book or out throwing a football around with my kids.
I enjoy reading your comments, almost as much as I enjoy a good book. Find me on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter.
Eric Thomas is a reporter and weekend anchor for ABC7 News. He also reports on aviation and the military.
ARCHIVES
Body of missing boater recovered at Lake Del Valle near Livermore
This is the second person to drown at the Alameda County lake is the last two weeks.
'47 Seasons: A Golden Goodbye': Warrior faithful remember Oakland (Oracle) Arena
Sit back and get Dub nostalgic with us. Watch "47 Seasons: A Golden Goodbye" from ABC7.
Crews stop progress of Cordelia Fire, evacuations lifted
Firefighters have stopped the progress of a 4-alarm grass fire burning near the Cordelia Junction in Solano County. All evacuations in the area have been lifted but Cordelia Rd. remains closed.
East Bay family, friends, dignitaries remember former Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher
In Walnut Creek, family, friends and East Bay dignitaries gathered to remember Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher who died in April at the age of 67.
First full-service grocery store in 40 years set to open in west Oakland
For the first time in about four decades, thousands of people living in west Oakland will be able to go the grocery store without leaving town.
