Happy National Radio Day, y’all! Seriously, it’s a real holiday. Look it up!
Ironically, August 20th was also the day that I left home 40 years ago to begin my radio journey. Just a few days earlier, I received “the call” from Mike Kronforst, Placement Director at Brown Institute. Mike said “I think I might have something for ya. But I have to warn you, she’s a very demanding employer.” I didn’t care. At that point, I would have worked free of charge for Attila the Hun. I was 19 and had wanted to be on the radio since I was 4 years old. Finally, my dream was coming true. So off I went, U-Haul loaded to the gills, into the great unknown.
Two days later, my 16 year radio adventure began at KNAB AM/FM in Burlington, Colorado. I did a DJ show, read news and sports, produced commercials, shoveled the snow, burned the trash, and washed the boss lady’s car. 6 days a week (sometimes 7) for $750 per month. That’s before taxes. If I had the chance to do it all over again, I would without hesitation. Heck, I would have done it for free! When you’re 19, all you need is enough money for rent, fast food, gas, and beer. Good times!
I still cringe when I listen to this aircheck. But hey, we’re all beginners at some point, right?
The air check was not your greatest work you have said but wow, whoever did that sign off was amazing. 😂
Hi Randy!
When I first arrived at KNAB, you were voicing the AM 1140 sign off at sunset (as heard here) and Bob Olsen voiced the FM 104.1 sign off at midnight. I believe that cart was recut at Bette’s request VERY shortly after Mr. Olsen abruptly ended his employment with the station
I NEVER had so much fun as I did at KNAB Radio in the mid-70’s. I did it all…all shifts…every time a GM got canned or quit I was back doing mornings…3 times…when the station got remodeled in 1975 and we got the new board, the ‘infamous’ 5 spot that worked…and the TM Simple and Free package…it was a brand new station…I thought Bette was a ‘peach’…you just had to know how to handle her…having survived my corporate executive and National Guard Colonel FATHER…she was a breeze…I could go on for hours here…suffice it to say when I was managing radio and TV stations in later years…I didn’t know how good I had it. ..I hit town every couple of years…visit Rol Huddler and get a steak at the Dish Room and my morning coffee The Main Cup…I’m a year overdue!!!!!….KT😀👍🎙️
Hi Kevin!
Bette was the toughest boss I ever worked for. No doubt about it. But once you accepted that it was HER station and she trusted you, everything was okay. The lady was an absolute genius when it came to engineering. She maintained both the AM and FM transmitters by herself. Very rarely did she require outside help. She also mellowed somewhat in later life. Last time I saw her was July, 2004 when I was in town for a few days. Stopped by the station and there she was, sitting behind her desk and ready to take on the world!
My second GM loved his booze and yelled at everyone all the time. People asked “How can you work for that guy?” My response was always the same: “He’s a breeze, compared to the GM at my FIRST station!”
I wonder where that 5-spot cart machine went? By the time I got there in 1983, we only had a 3 stack. My guess is that it was sent up to KOGA in Ogallala at some point.