This Explains Everything - My Story

Having fun behind a microphone is in my DNA

I've always enjoyed media stuff... writing, photography, broadcasting. I played with tape recorders growing up, started the Fish Report website in 2004, and built a broadcast studio for fun in my basement ten years ago. However, I went to college to study human resource management and these days my full-time job is working as a salesman. Friends have commented over the years, "Craig, you missed your calling". My comeback is typically, "some guys start a band, some guys like playing cards, my hobby is covering sports". That's all it is for me, a hobby. I wasn't born to be on the radio. So I thought. We'll get to that part later.

1971 was a good year

I entered the world in September of 1971. A few days after my birth I was adopted and brought home by Ray & Linda Fiessinger. Mom & Dad didn't hide the fact that I was adopted and I grew up with little interest in that fact. Until maybe three years ago in 2017. I was asked by some local mothers to talk in front of their group. These women all had adopted children and wanted to question me about my feelings growing up. I agreed to their request and was adamant I felt the same as any average kid living in Fort Loramie, Ohio at the time. I was the oldest child in my family. I had one younger sister and two even younger brothers. None of my siblings were adopted. Our parents loved us all the same, we fought like brothers and sisters, and we turned into fine adults. I imagined the mothers were hoping for better answers, but that's all I had.

Me, Chris, Chad, and baby brother Curt

As our meeting was coming to a close, one mother asked if I would ever search for my real parents? I admitted I actually looked into it once, but the courts won't release birth certificates without consent from the biological mother. No, that's all changed now I was told. Just fill out some paperwork and pay a small fee she said. I wasn't aware it was that easy. Who knows, maybe I'll look into it some day when I'm really old.

A couple days later I filled out the paperwork and sent in $35.00. Shortly after that I received an envelope in the mail. It was a copy of my original birth certificate. With only a woman's name I had never seen or heard before. I was 46 years old and I stared at it for a long time. For a really long time. I suddenly understood some of the feelings those mothers must have wondered about.

Out of respect for privacy, I'll refer to my biological mother as Donna. Using a wonderful information system called the world wide web, I discovered Donna lives in Texas. I confirmed her address and took several days to craft a heartfelt letter. To sum up my writing, I explained I was doing well and thanked Donna for making a selfless decision that was best for me. I also extended an invitation for her to respond in writing or by phone call. Unfortunately, I haven't received a reply since the day I mailed that letter.

Fast forward about a year later in December of 2018. I decided to take one of those DNA tests. Being adopted, I was especially curious what I might find. I found out I have almost one thousand 4th-6th cousins. That didn't excite me. I also found out I have a biological aunt that is Donna's sister and she lives less than 50 miles away. That excited me. I became 'email friends' with my aunt. We had some good exchanges about family heritage for several months, but when it came to answering questions about my mother she didn't offer much help. Their relationship has been distant, both literally and figuratively, for a very long time. My conversations with my aunt eventually lost traction and we stopped communicating.

In February of 2020 I received notification that my DNA had another match. There's a 99% chance this person is your half-brother it read. What??

I emailed my aunt again and was unsure if she would still respond after our long break. I wasn't aware Donna had another son I typed. My aunt replied right away. She doesn't, you were her only child she typed back - that half-brother must be from your father's side. More feelings came over me like a tidal wave. Can you tell me more I asked. I'm sorry she said, I don't know any more. All that stuff was hush-hush back in 1971 she explained. Okay, I understood and appreciated her support. However, this was my story and it was time to get busy.

If Google's search engine charged by the click, I would have went flat broke. I scoured the internet nightly. I was constantly discovering something new. Another lead, then another. It felt like one of those detective shows on television, like CSI or Law & Order. One night my research even said I have a half-sister. Things were getting crazy. All my evidence kept pointing to a single person as my biological father. I was skeptical I had really cracked the case and laid out some far-fetched scenarios for my family tree. Only one tree ever made sense. Only one name was even possible. It was a name I knew my entire life. The name was Gordon William Price.

If you had a radio in West Central Ohio anytime during a 30-year period from the 1980's through 2000's, you likely heard the voice of Gordon William Price, also known as Gordy Price. Gordy passed away in 2009 at the young age of 60. The obituary below summarizes his very public life. To understand the effect he had on some of his listeners, click on the 'Tribute Wall' of the following link.

Click the obituary to expand

During my research on Gordy Price, an old message board post alleged there was a front page article from the early 80's proclaiming Gordy as "King of the Teens" during his popular run at WMVR 105.5 FM in Sidney. I certainly idolized him in my pre-teen years. Lots of kids did. If you wanted to make a song dedication, you called the radio station and asked Gordy. I remember calling once and getting my request on air. I was just thrilled I got through to Gordy Price! If I only knew then what I know now.

Ray & Linda have always been
there when I needed them

I told my wife I was still skeptical. I don't want a 99% possibility, I need a 100% guarantee. The only living person I know that can confirm this is Donna down in Texas and she's apparently not talking. My wife asked, have you talked to your parents Ray & Linda? Good question. I never asked them about the adoption my entire life. Didn't need to. I guess now I needed to. So, I called Mom & Dad at their winter home down in Florida. We were all together on speaker phone. I told them everything I knew. They told me everything they knew. Turns out, I knew a whole lot more than they did. Mom & Dad were completely understanding and it was a conversation long overdue. I still wasn't sure though.

I started messaging anyone I stumbled across on the internet. I reached out to those half-siblings, their families, and friends of their families. It had to be startling to receive information like I was sending. My efforts were getting nowhere. Finally, a reply to my Facebook message. Is this a scam the person asked? Okay, just don't scare them off I panicked. I had to quickly recall who I was even communicating with. Out of respect for her privacy, I'll call her Julie. No, this is not a scam I replied. I told Julie I was adopted in 1971 and knew my biological mother, but wasn't positive who my father was, even though I thought it might be a guy named Gordon Price. A few minutes went by and then came a question I was unprepared for: "Any chance your mother's name is Donna?"

Gordon Price - 1967

I couldn't type because my hands began to shake. After a long moment I asked Julie how she knew? Julie said her mom knew. When I mentioned Gordy Price, she immediately called her mom who was related to Gordy. Julie's mom also happened to be really good friends with Donna. She recalled that Gordy & Donna were in love, but not married and the pregnancy happened when she was just 18. Donna was terribly scared. She hid her secret from everyone until the end and finally told a few people, including Donna's parents and Julie's mom. She didn't tell Gordy, not until years later. By that time, I was adopted and Donna had no idea where I ended up. Julie's mom said Gordy was simply heartbroken. Wow...

I continued my chat with Julie for a while longer. I told her about my unexplained interest in broadcasting all these years and we exchanged a few LOL's. We also talked about some personal family things that will forever remain personal. One concern I did express was Gordy's passing at such an early age. I have some worries about my own health history as I prepare to turn 49 this year. Julie didn't think I should attribute my health worries to my biological father. Gordy was always the life of the party and that party lifestyle eventually wore him down. It was one of the few sad notes on one of the greatest days of my life. Julie and I agreed to stay in touch and we were both happy we found a new cousin.

So, that explains everything. The final piece of the puzzle and what a journey it's been. I want to thank so many people, but I'm afraid I'll leave someone out.  In closing, there's only one way to wrap this up. I'll let Gordy sign off..

As Gordy often said to his listeners - Keep livin' and keep lovin'!