Pat Capriati and John Conenna Take the Radio World by Storm with Domenica Insieme

When did Domenica Insieme begin?

Pat: At least 20 years ago.

How did it begin?

Pat: When I was 15, I started a band called Diamanti. Since I’m in a band, I found it easy to communicate to people. I did a commercial with Mona Lisa Boutique, which is my wife’s boutique, for a radio station. I loved it. I thought it was so much fun. I thought that I should do an Italian radio show. I knew popular, Italian music. My Italian is really good. I have a pleasant voice. I thought, ‘Why not?’

Why did you call it Domenica Insieme?

Pat: The name means ‘always together on Sunday.’ There was a famous Italian TV show on Sunday called Domenica In. It was something new. That’s how we got started.

How did John get involved?

John: I always kept in touch with Pat over the years. I always loved Italian music. I went to an Italian dinner dance and I saw him. Pat promised to say something on the radio about my father. Then, he invited me to the studio and I enjoyed the day. Two weeks after that, Pat asked if I could go to the studio. It just really clicked. It was like we had a spark. I began in April 2016.

What’s your goal with Domenica Insieme?

Pat: I want to reach out to the Italian speaking community at a time where there is no longer people immigrating from Italy to the U.S. As a result, our children are growing up Italian, but they don’t speak the language. It’s the knowledge of the proper Italian language.

What does being Italian mean to you?

John: I’m really proud to be Italian. I want to keep the culture going. When my dad passed, I knew I wanted to hold on to my Italian. I want to get better. I wanted people to know that I’m apart of the Italian community.

Pat: I’m a product of two great cultures: Italian and American. I was only 13 when I came here. Italian is my first language. I’ve seen more and more how valuable it is to be able to reach back to the customs and traditions of the old world. To me, it was something very, very important to live my life as an Italian- American. I’m a byproduct of both cultures.

Italy is a country that has given so much to the world from music, to banking and inventions. It’s something that I’m very proud of and that I try to promote.

Italy is a country that has given so much to the world from music, to banking and inventions. It’s something that I’m very proud of and that I try to promote.

Are there any cool guests coming on the show?

Pat: We will have entertainers, chefs and people we find interesting. Also, some of our sponsors will come in.

John: We’re thinking of having a singer come in. We hope to do a show at Caputo’s in Carol Stream.

What makes the show great?

John: Since it’s in English and Italian, it brings a lot of diversity. Both English and Italian speakers listen to our show. The audience waits for what’s going to happen next on this show.

Pat: They think what we do is rehearsed. It’s not! It’s off the cuff! It’s spontaneous and it’s fun.