My first commercial radio job was something to remember. The station was KTEL and it was where my cousin Burl cut his teeth in the business. It was 1978, the station had been remodeled since Burl had worked there as they had moved the offices from downtown to the transmitter. It was still a real dilapidated place. When Burl and Lee came to visit one time, Burl pointed to the little holes in the wall and said--"that is where I fired a pellet gun at the bugs crawling on the wall". When I got on board the station was all country which took some getting used to, they had just stopped playing rock. My friend Jeff recently told me in the rock days, everytime a jock would play In-a-Godda-Divida (the classic 27 minute song) the Cranky Engineer would screech into the parking lot fearing that the DJs were partying.
KTEL was also the station where my Grandfather gave gardening tips on Tuesday morning as part of the "Men's Garden Club". The station was totally run by Jack Keating an elderly man who was rarely at the station. I only saw him 3 times during the year that I worked there. Once was when he hired me.
I was the last DJ to sign off of the old board. We were the Seattle Super Sonics station and I was working the board running the game when they won their NBA title in '79. Also the cranky Engineer was terminated after working there for 25 years during that one year. I later went back to WSU to get my degree and returned to KTEL for a brief time 6 years later.
Was KTEL all-country in 1978? I recall that it was Top 40 format in the early '80's, when my friend Dan McMahon was doing his "Wee Willie Winkle" morning show; and that it went all-Country later. Which doesn't mean that it might not have switched formats a few times before that.
ReplyDeleteYes, It was country and sports from 1976 on. It did have Paul Harvey which was a big draw. I don't know if it even exists today. I have exchanged e-mail with Dan, who tells me that he is on his 3rd marriage or something. The man is a real character.
ReplyDeleteSomeone should do a history of "coffee pot" radio stations in the USA, those 250-watt wonders that typically were Mutual or ABC affiliates. Some were pioneers in Top 10 and other formats. My favorite was KSPO, 1340, Spokane, in the Realty Bldg., downtown. Mom took us to KSPO to hear the Story Lady when we were rug rats in front of the Crosley radio. Those were the days. Check out my blog for silly movies, www.cheezymovies.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteYour right on that. At KQQQ in Pullman the entire station was literally plugged in above the coffee pot. Really I kid you not.
ReplyDeleteI interviewed at a "coffee pot" staton in Pullman when I was about 19 and they wanted me to work for nothing. Operating out of a farmhouse, the equipment was definitely not broadcast quality. My radio dreams were foolish but it was all part of growing up.
ReplyDeleteOh, right; Dan was on KUJ. D'oh. It was only 23 years ago; you'd think I'd remember.
ReplyDeleteDan McMahon has some funny stories about KUJ owner Jim Nelly.
ReplyDeleteI began work at KTEL when I returned from the Army and started a family. Jack Keating hired me. I spent most of my time on the street selling time and ideas. I broadcast some evening newscasts as well. I must have made a dent in the circuit, because KUJ's Vern Russell made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Having spent a couple of years there, I auditioned for an opening in Boise, Idaho, at KTVB TV, as a reporter/anchor. Of course, in those days, I also shot the film for my stories. I remember once rushing downtown to shoot an interview with the Governor, on the Capitol grounds. Having forgotten my tripod, I mounted the camera on top of the car and set the governor in half of the frame, flipped the switch and ran with the mike to the other half of the frame. It worked.
ReplyDeleteOne Saturday morning, at KUJ, I was hosting Swapping Time when a woman called to say she had nice, plump capons for sale for your Christmas dinner. Despite having grown up in a largely agricultural community, I had to ask, "What is a capon?" She responded, "Well, a capon is to a rooster what a steer is to a bull." I instantly felt a little stupid and it took awhile for my face to return to its usual, white complexion. The bulk of my broadcasting career was spent in the studios of KMJ TV, which later became KSEE TV, in Fresno, CA. Retired in 2001. Wonderful retirement experience. Bill Murphy Sr