Arts & Culture

The Baltimore Grill: Sarah Fleischer

The popular DJ on interviewing Ozzy, moving past vinyl, and hanging with the boys.

Where did you go to school?

Milford Mill High School. UMBC. (I was a commuter—not so good.) Temple U. (Finally, out of the house—yeah!)

What book or film most changed your life?
I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb. This is such a powerful story—I couldn’t put it down. It rejuvenated my love of reading. Now I have to have my head in a book every night.

Who is your favorite Baltimorean, living or dead?
My mom—she’s the best!

What is the best advice you ever got?
Be true to yourself. And if you want something, stop whining about it. Go after it. Make it happen.

What is the bravest thing you’ve ever done?
Taking the job here at 98 Rock not having a clue as to how to operate the equipment. I was flying by the seat of my pants those first few nights. I seriously thought my dream job was history.

What is the greatest problem facing Baltimore today?
Besides the obvious—crime—I’d say the lack of 24-hour eateries. Sometimes, you have to have a greasy burger at 3 a.m.!

What are your thoughts on The Block?
I’m over it. . . .

Who would play you in the movie of your life?
Katharine Hepburn before she started shaking.

If you could write Baltimore’s motto, what would it be?
Baltimore Rocks!

98 Rock is a bit of a boy’s club. How do you fit in over there?
You don’t have to be one of the boys to get along with the boys.

Do you miss vinyl?
Hell no! Cueing up records was a major pain. Nothing like the old album cover art, though.

Best on air interview?
Ozzy Osbourne. He’s great even when you can’t make out what he’s saying.

Does it feel like 30 years?
God no! Time flies when you’re having fun.

Any on-air bloopers?
I had only been on the air for about three months. We were doing a promotion with the Hair Cuttery. For $10 you could get a cut and blow dry with proceeds benefiting a charity. Let’s just say I messed up and had a Freudian slip! My program director was listening and almost drove off the road. Lucky for me, she was laughing!