I was leaving to buy a keg when the call came in.   A woman's voice asked if I was interested in working at a radio station in Whitefish, Montana.   Not for the next 12 hours, I said.   I showed up to work, shaven and sober, two weeks later.

                In those days I was known as Tom Vandel.   After a couple years punching out copy on a Smith-Corona, I turned in my keys and headed west.

                Eventually pulled into Portland, where I caught on with a series of ad agencies.   I got into everything: print ads, radio and TV spots, corporate brochures, client arguments ...many words were exchanged.   Nobody got hurt.

                One day in the shower, a hair circled the drain and it dawned on me. I should use my head and get off this merry-go-round.   Go to work for myself and help those in need.   That day Les Overhead was born.   Freelance copywriter.  Mobile ad man.   A man of his word.