{"product_id":"book-ghcd","title":"Sure Beats Working","description":"\u003cp\u003eSure Beats Working follows the story of Freddy Botica, and the series of unexpected twists and turns that ended up being a long and successful career in broadcast radio.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFreddy was born in Auckland, New Zealand in 1947 - the youngest child of Croatian parents who fled the conflict of World War II to give their children a new life full of opportunities.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 1969, while working as a signwriter for Coca Cola, Freddy was invited to spend a week aboard the Tiri 2 - the infamous ship that brought pirate radio station Radio Hauraki to the masses in New Zealand. He was on board the ship to repaint a faded sign, but when a severe storm hit Auckland a few days later, Freddy was asked to fill in on air for the rest of the week. His immediate success and appeal on air led to Freddy being offered a full time role with Radio Hauraki - the beginning of what would become a broadcasting career that spanned 5 decades, and broke Australian records.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFreddy's time in radio gave him a chance to not only meet, but spend meaningful moments with many of rock music's greats - from spending a weekend with Alice Cooper in Sydney, to hosting Sting and the Police at a barbecue on the beachfront lawn of his home. Many broadcasters have interviewed the stars. Very few of them have spent extended periods of time with the stars and their families. A chance meeting with Neil Young's boat 'Ragland' in the Bay of Islands, led to a whole week spent with Neil soon after - windsurfing, and discussing life, family and music.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFreddy was then part of the team that took Radio Hauraki to the top of the radio ratings in New Zealand. A radio station that originally didn't even have a legal license to broadcast was beating all their competition consistently through the late 1970s and early 80s. From there, Freddy was poached by the competition, and was a key member of New Zealand's first (and also legal) FM radio station, 89fm Stereo.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"INAudio","offers":[{"title":"Audiobook","offer_id":49418267361584,"sku":"BDghcd","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0879\/2784\/9264\/files\/ghcd-Square-cover.jpg?v=1773488782","url":"https:\/\/downpour.com\/products\/book-ghcd","provider":"Downpour","version":"1.0","type":"link"}