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Local Personality Doesn't Let Brain Tumour Get Him Down

Posted: Apr 26th 2013 By: CMBurnham

Some people are icons. Steve Carr, better known as Steve O deejay, karaoke dude, roller derby announcer and local personality extraordinaire is one of those people. He's "good people" and he's touched a lot of lives.

You know how some will ask: "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Carr doesn't. Even though it's been adding up this year, he doesn't feel sorry for himself. He's too busy.

The last two weeks have seen both down and up. On April 16, someone broke into Carr's van and took some of his essential karaoke gear: a Dell computer monitor, a Shure Green Bullet microphone, a drill, a microphone case and an external hard drive.

After working his daily 2-5 p.m. shift on KMGZ (Magic 95), Carr stopped by his house briefly before heading to his weekly gig at Helen's Club. Since the theft, Carr has resorted to his backup gear and was helped out by his friends at Maverick Pawn, who found him another monitor.

Good news followed April 20 when he found he'd won first place in the Commercial Announcement division by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters. It's the third time his distinctive voice and wit have worked first-place magic in the category.

"You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have ..."

Carr said the old "Facts of Life" theme song fits. Overall, he said, he's a happy guy.

"You've heard the phrase: 'If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life,'" Carr said. "I talk and push buttons for a living, surrounded by music and good people, this never feels like work."

His positivity has been tested since making a Valentine's Day announcement. Carr introduced the arrival of Li'l Wayne. Not the singer: The tumor that, much like the rapper's songs, Carr wants out of his head. In a Facebook posting, he thanked all his friends and fans who have shown support.

"A million thanks and much gratitude for all those who also hate Li'l Wayne and are joining me in this symbolic East-brain, West-brain rap battle," Carr said.

He first noticed hearing loss and went to the doctor, who discovered a mass inside his skull. Despite internal protestation spoken in Arnold Schwarzeneggar's voice, Carr said it was, in fact, a tumor.

Chemotherapy is the healing route taken for now. His third cycle will end May 2 and then, after a week's break, he'll undergo tests to see where he is. Some days are harder than others but, thanks to the medication, he said, he also feels like he's making progress.

"It's different day to day, but generally the further I go in the chemo cycle I feel worse every day," Carr said. "But I feel pretty good about it. Last time I went for the checkup it wasn't smaller, but they said it was weaker."

Without insurance and with only a small amount of help from a broadcasters' group, ch- Carr's resorted to his "savings account" to help with expenses.

"I've had to sell some collectibles and stuff," Carr said. "I started saving stuff when I was younger and thought I'd sell it when I needed the money. That's what I did, so I guess it worked out."

When you put good vibes out there, good energy returns. Providing karaoke and good times to Lawton every night of the week puts Carr in contact with a lot of people. He's considered a part of the family for many. One of those extended relatives, Greg "Hud" Hudman, has gathered a group of people and had T-shirts made to sell and raise money to assist Carr with fundraising for his expenses. Shirts are available at the Guitar Bar. Carr's karaoke schedule is also listed in entirety in the calendar.