Ron And Don Praised By Station

Apparently KIRO FM put this meme on the Ron And Don Facebook page praising their accomplishments during their long Seattle radio stint.  It, of course wasn't enough to stop listeners from angry posts on social media.
If not today, soon the afternoon drive on 97.3 will have new hosts. Please give them a chance.  Let's remember that they had no part in Ron and Don leaving.  Many of the fans of Ron And Don may not have liked them at first. The show had a way of growing on you.
Let's remember that someone had that shift before Ron and Don came aboard. If you would like to read some of the old posts that I have made on the show, click here

Ron And Don Add 2 More Podcast Episodes After Getting Major Sponsor

Ron and Don have announced that after attaining a major sponsor, they will now do 3 podcasts a week.  Les Schwab Tires was recently added, according to the pair.
Ron and Don began podcasting last summer.  They were dismissed by KIRO FM at the beginning of the year after over 10 years at the station.  They had been doing one podcast a week along with an occasional bonus episode.
Ron And Don also work as real estate brokers for Windemere.

Ron And Don Drive Seattle Afternoon Radio

It's easy to dismiss Ron and Don.  They can be sophomoric and annoying. It is hard to tell sometimes if they are joking or not.  They had been rumoured to on KIRO's chopping block since they started the afternoon drive time program in 2006.  But they hang in.  If you get beyond their schtick, which includes rimshot sound effects for some silly one-liners, they know what people in the area are talking about.
I think that what works for the pair is their talent for involving listeners  in the show. Several times they have given descriptions of fleeing criminal's cars, allowing for tips that turned into arrests.  Most of their topics deal with local events, and while most talk show invoke politics, Ron and Don are rarely, if ever political.  It looks like Ron Upshaw  And Don O'Neil, who are a well traveled pair are going to be pulling the Seattle afternoon drive for a long time,  perhaps going down in broadcast history as Seattle's guilty pleasure.

Local Writer Under Fire For Atlantic Article

It should have been the hallmark of a journalism career.  Erica C. Barnett, who has written for a number of what I would call non mainstream media publications such as the Seattle Weekly, Crosscut, and the Publicola blog, was getting published by the well respected Atlantic. 
It was a great topic, the abuse city council women reportedly have taken after a controversial vote to not vacate part of Occidental Avenue to make way for a proposed professional basketball arena.  The vote was 5-4 and happened to split along gender lines.  The 4 male council members voted in favor and 5 women voted against. 
What was erroneously reported was that the firestorm of calls were initiated by KIRO afternoon radio hosts Ron and Don gave out the phone numbers of female council members, urging them to call them out on the arena vote.  
The hosts pointed out on air that they did not urge listeners to call on that topic, but had urged callers to call council woman Sally Bagshaw and  Mayor Ed Murray on a topic of how Seattle handles it's homeless. 
The mention of Ron And Don was pulled from the article and Barnett issued a statement.  Barnett stated that she was going on information from her speaking with Bagshaw.  She also stated that she did not listen to the Ron And Don program and had no opinion on the proposed arena. Barnett claimed that she did not speak to the station or the radio hosts because they were not the central part of the story. 
Time will tell on what the ramifications are to this, but it sure it home for me what I still remember Mr. Maxon in my journalism class told me.  To use attribution and to research my topics thoroughly.

Popular Former Seattle Radio Duo Return In Podcast

It lasted over an hour and covered a variety of topics, but chances are, most listeners skipped to the very end of the podcast to find out what they really wanted to know.  The firing of Ron And Don, the highly rated afternoon drive team at 97.3 KIRO FM.
Last year,  Mitch Levy, who lost his job, after being caught in a prostitution sting, reappeared on his own podcast tearfully contrite.
By contrast, with Ron and Don, it was said to be simply a matter of the station choosing not to renew their contract.  Don O'Neill, always the most vocal of the pair could not conceal his anger, maybe not so much that the firing had taken place, although, he emphasized the high ratings that the show had achieved, but the way the station had chosen to bring down the axe.
The pair are now in the real estate business and sponsor the podcast as such.  A welcome addition is Don's son "G-Force" who did some of the "bumpers" during the pod.
You can hear the podcast of Ron Upshaw and Don O'Neill by clicking here. 

Ron And Don Speak To Therapist On Podcast

In a rather unusual podcast, well known local radio personalities Ron And Don speak with a Seattle area therapist to examine race relations, human behavior, etc.  You can hear the pod in it's entirety by clicking here. 

Ron and Don began podcasting almost exactly a year ago, after doing the afternoon drive on KIRO radio for over a decade.

Afternoon Drive Time Radio Hosts Ron And Don Help Raise Life Saving Money

In one of the great area radio stories of all time, KIRO 97.3FM Ron Upshaw and Don O'Neil helped raise over 140,000 dollars to help Seattle Detective Dave Clement to go to Chicago for a potentially life saving operation. 
Clement suffers from CIPD, a disease where the immune system attacks the nervous system.  KIRO 7 TV, which is no longer tied with KIRO radio, ran a story in the middle of February that the officer was denied his insurance company  the funds who have a surgery at Northwestern University.  Clement's employer, the city of Seattle, which is self insured, also denied the claim on grounds that the surgery is "experimental".
Hosts Ron And Don, used their bully pulpit and huge drive time audience to hammer on Clement's 26 years of service to the community. They used an "us against them" technique to get it's listeners to go to the "go fund me" page and make small donations.  At the time of this post, over 158,000 dollars has been raised, well exceeding the target 145,000.

Ron And Don Are Gone

Long running talk show duo Ron And Don, have left KIRO FM  in Seattle.  The pair had worked the afternoon slot for over a decade starting with KIRO AM 710, and then moving to the FM 97.3 station once the 710 turned all sports.
The show, hosted by Ron Upshaw and Don O'Neil, was ideal for long home commutes as they covered a variety of contemporary topics, as well as personal ones.
They were also known for cause radio, helping raise money for various  human interest stories.  They were instrumental in comforting the area during many area tragedies.

Producer Candy Harper will be promoted to co-host with reporter Mike Lewis who has done fill in work for KIRO's hosts and Todd Herman, who hosted a show on KIRO's Conservative sister station, KTTH.  

Popular Radio Team Interview Seattle Mayor

Mayor Ed Murray appeared on the Ron And Don Show after turning down previous offers to speak with them. Ron And Don have held the KIRO Drive Time position for over a decade.  Known more as entertainers than political commentators, Don O'Neill has been famously critical of the mayor's policies.  O'Neill is generally the loudest and most opinionated of the pair.  Ron Upshaw, his partner, is more explanatory and even keeled
  In this segment, O'Neill appears articulate and on point.

Mayor Murray To Appear On Don And Ron

Seattle mayor Ed Murray will be a guest on the Ron And Don Show on KIRO FM 97.3 tonight (March 9th, 2017).  Although the show, with a huge audience skews mostly toward entertainment rather than politics, the pair have been extremely critical toward Murray on issues ranging from homeless encampments to the city's alleged refusal to pay for a veteran police detective's surgery.  Don has been the main instigator on criticism of the mayor's policies. He lives in Seattle.
The appearance has been announced for 6:00pm.  Ron and Don, have had the KIRO Drive Time position for well over 10 years starting on 710 AM  than moving to 97.3 FM when the  AM station went to an all sports format.  Murray will be up for  election later this year.

Ron And Don Interview Barefoot Bandit

I debated whether or not to post this.  Society has a penchant for glamorizing crooks.  Characters who harm others for their own benefit are made to be heroes, while the victims and law enforcement who work hard to protect us are ignored.  D,B. Cooper who hijacked a plane has been described as a folk hero, while Hollywood makes movies that want you to root for Bonnie And Clyde, Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid, and Thelma And Louise.
That said, Colton Harris Moore, known as the "Barefoot Bandit" has carved a narrative.  He is also is the subject of an upcoming movie.  Harris-Moore was sought in an intense manhunt after stealing of seaplanes in the San Juan Islands and beyond.  He was finally arrested in the Bahamas after risking not only his own life but of innocent people on the ground by flying airplanes that he was not trained to fly. 
Last week, he was featured in an interview on the Ron And Don show on KIRO-FM.

Tracy Taylor Joins Ron And Don Team As KIRO FM's Evening Traffic Reporter

After a busy spring and summer of fill ins and special projects on both KIRO 7 TV and KIRO FM 97.3, Tracy Taylor has finally found a home as afternoon and evening traffic reporter on KIRO FM.  Tracy will report the drive home on the popular Ron And Don Show.  She replaces Candy Harper who will produce the afternoon show.
With a love of traffic, a distinct delivery, and a great sense of humor, Taylor began reporting traffic on KJR Sports Radio 95, leaving to join the KING 5 TV morning news team.  After almost 7 years on KING, Taylor found herself jobless, sparking angry viewer outrage toward the station. 
The post on this blog announcing her departure set records at over 30 thousand hits.

Ron And Don Campaign For Masks

Former KIRO afternoon hosts Ron and Don have continued their service to the community.  On their podcast, now heard three times a week, the pair have been encouraging listeners to sew masks for health care workers.
They have also given instructions for distribution of these valuable masks to area clinics and hospitals.
It has now been over a year since the pair found out they had lost their jobs with the FM station, but with the podcast, they continue to motivate, inspire, and comfort the community. Especially during times of crisis.

Ron And Don Humanize Tragedy On 97.3

They are often derided as sophomoric, but Ron Upshaw and Don O'Neil, afternoon hosts at KIRO 97.3 have once again become the go-to people when tragedy hits the area.  Whether it's the Oso Landslide, the Marysville High shooting, death of firemen, or the horrible duck-tour bus crash, Don and Ron have a unique style of comforting the listeners.  They do not report facts like robots, nor do they shed phony tears.  In my opinion, they have a talent for displaying just the right demeanor, while giving information, such as how to help in ways such as giving blood.
Often thought Seattle's guilty pleasure, there is no need to feel guilty listening when disaster hits our area.

BOMV Writer Gets Picture On Merch Page And Favorite Blog

Thank you to the Puget Sound Media blog for pointing out that the Ron And Don podcast used my picture to sell T-shirts.
 Ron and Don started a podcast a few months after their addictive radio show was cancelled.  Always wanting to do charitable things for the community, they sold the shirts for a cause called "Charlie's Dinosour", which was set up for police to help disadvantaged children.  When I e-mailed the duo to tell them I had purchased the shirt, they asked for me to send a picture, which is what you see above. They recently put it on their "merch" page, although the picture could very well have changed since then.
To see the great article on Puget Sound Media, click here

Wrapping Up 2016

Rather look at 2016 as a "sad year" in retrospect, it was an eventful year, with some sad things happening.  I included the top picture of the Fred Hutchinson Award luncheon from January. I am pictured with former baseball great, Carlton Fisk and St .Louis Cardinal pitcher Adam Wainwright.  
We had a fun trip to Southern California, dining at Sur, where one of Deb's favorite shows is filmed.
On that trip, we were able to visit my dad and his wife and go to a one man play.  It was the last thing we would do together as my Dad passed away in March.
The day after my Dad's service in Walla Walla. I ran the Democratic precinct caucuses in Maple Valley.  I believe the Maple Valley caucus was one of the largest in the state, due to my planning.  I had not anticipated the huge turnout that we had. 
On Friday the 13th in May, I was about to walk Dasher when I called to the Ron And Don show.  I was able to win the Top Five At Five contest by naming what they consider the top news stories that hour.  I won concert tickets and dinner at the Edgewater.
In July, we attended my 40th class reunion in Walla Walla.  It was fun to see old classmates.  I participated in the golf tournament for the first time. 
One August evening, I came back from work and a trip to the gym to find a leak in the upstairs bathroom had gone through the ceiling, flooding the entire house.  The next two months, we stayed at the Silver Cloud and Deb's parents house, along with Howard Johnson's in Kent (a story in itself) and finally Deb's sister and her husband.  When we returned we had a beautiful remodel.  Thanks to Farmer's Insurance, who really stepped up and Rick, our construction engineer, who continues to do repairs on our home.
I was shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Gina Grant.  A Wa-Hi and WSU classmate and friend, whom I gotten to know better on facebook.  She, like me, was active in Democratic politics.
My old favorite team, the Chicago Cubs won their first World Series since 1906. 
Then, of course, there was the Trump upset of Hilary Clinton.

Former KIRO Team Ron And Don Will Begin A Podcast

Our friends at Pugetsound.media post that Ron And Don, longtime stalwarts of Seattle drive time radio will return with a podcast.   The pair, who talked their way into the hearts of Seattle listeners including my own, left the air suddenly in January.
For a countdown clock to their first podcast drop, click here.

Barers Of Maple Valley Blogger Wins Top 5 At 5 On KIRO

I usually listen to Ron And Don's Top 5 At 5 on the way home from work.  That is a feature on 97.3 Kiro fm where the radio hosts reports on 5 stories after the CBS News at 5 in the evening.  Then listeners can call in and the first to correctly name each story wins a prize. 
Yesterday, I left work in time to catch the entire show.  I carefully noted each story and by the time I got to my destination, they finished the last story and asked listeners to call in.  The first time that I called, I got a busy signal, but then I called again.  The producer Sean answered the phone and I  was able to remember each story. 
1.  Sound Transit party costs city 875 thousand dollars.
2. Donald Trump said to be posing as his publicist and talking to reporters.
3. Seattle Sounders Soccer team is working to find and develop local soccer talent.
4. Money Monster movie review
5. Michael Strahan does last show for Kelly and Michael

My prize was tickets to see Steve Tyler at McCaw Hall and dinner at the Edgewater.  I was disappointed that they did not say my name on the radio.

A Year In Review: Barers Of Maple Vally Look At 2010

I'm sure that you have seen many of these, my plan once again is to look at the past year, in this case 2010 as posted in this blog.

January Seahawks finished the 2009 season with a close loss to the Tennessee Titans, it would be their fourth loss in a row and lead to the removal of their coach Jim Mora.

Barers Of Maple Valley received more hits than it ever received on a single day when announcing that KJR Traffic Reporter Tracy Taylor was leaving radio to report traffic on KING 5 TV.

Original Sonics radio announcer Bob Blackburn passed away.
The Seattle Seahawks hired USC Coach Pete Carroll, who had little success previously in the NFL but had lead the Trojans back to greatness.

A major earthquake hit the impoverished country of Haiti, killing an estimated 230,000 if it's inhabitants and leading to a series of fundraisers and humanitarian efforts.

Felix Hernandez signed a new contract with the Mariners as optimism grew for the 2010 season.

Also a new wine bar opened up in Maple Valley. DaVine is still pouring in the Lake Wilderness shopping area.

February I cannot believe that it has been almost a year since we saw Billy Joel and Elton John in concert together at the Key Arena.

The New Orleans Saints it's their first Super Bowl title while playing in it's first Super Bowl. Representing the recovery from 2005's Hurricane Katrina, the team was able to win the hearts of America.

We took a trip to the Palm Springs area and enjoyed a little break from winter.

March My Alma Matter Walla Walla High School finished fourth in the state boys basketball tournament and a new comprehensive health coverage bill is passed by Congress.

April We participated for the second year in a row in the "Passport To Woodinville" wine tasting festival. The Seattle Seahawks pick Left Tackle Russell Okung from Oklahoma State in the NFL Draft. Cousin Burl Barer was featured in the radio conversation blog Blather Watch.
He may have been the best player to put on a Seattle Seahawks jersey and the greatest Left Tackle of all time. Walter Jones officially retired from professional football.

May By popular demand, 88 year old Betty White hosted SNL. Mariners are sputtering and Ken Griffey, Jr is caught sleeping in the clubhouse during a game. 8th District Congressman Dave Reichert is caught on tape explaining his pro-environment votes are to take only an attempt to weaken his opposition, eventually loses the endorsement of the Seattle Times. She played Mary Anne on Gilligan's Island, Dawn Welles was interviewed on "Outlaw Radio".

June I posted pictures of my Memorial Day Weekend trip to Walla Walla including my old house at 104 Leonard.

Ken Griffey, Jr, arguably the greatest Seattle Mariner to put on the uniform, retired.

Former T-Mobile executive Dean Willard kicks off his campaign for 5th District House of Representatives in the Washington State Legislature.

I attend the Washington State Democratic Convention.

Greatest Men's College Basketball Coach John Wooden died at 99.

July We took a trip to Seaside, Oregon with with stops at Astoria and Cannon Beach, we climbed the Astoria Column.

We flew to Las Vegas as Deb was attending the UPS Store international Convention. We stayed at the Caesar's Palace and I won one hundred dollars playing Blackjack in the swimming pool.

A shooting at Lake Sammamish park threatened to cancel the 5th District Democratic Pic Nic, but Marcie Maxwell, who does not live in the 5th, but we wish she did, stepped up and volunteered her backyard, the picnic was a rolling success.

Cliff Lee, a blue free agent acquisition for the Mariners, was traded to the Texas Rangers, he would lead them to the World Series in the fall.

After winning tickets, I took my nephew Ethan to the practice round of the US Senior Open at Sahalee.

August We watched Bernhard Langer beat Seattle's Freddie Couples in the final round of the US Senior Open.

Mariner manager Don Wakamatsu, who was the toast of the town a season ago, was fired as the team was hopelessly in last place.

Dean Willard was beaten by David Spring and Glenn Anderson in the primary, a race that caused deep division in the district.

We took a Seaplane ride to the San Juan Islands to honor family friend Andy Epstein for his 80th birthday.

We watched Herbie Hancock perform at Zoo Tunes.

Representative Reuven Carlyle hosted Puget Sound area Jewish Democrats at this Queen Anne home.

September Rockaroke at Snoqualmie Casino, entire bar sings happy birthday to Deb's Grandma Lillian, who is celebrating her 91st birthday.

Seahawk season begins with a come from behind win over San Francisco 49ers. Fans start becoming believers in Pete Carroll.

Seattle Storm become the first Seattle professional sports team to win a second championship.

My father's blog is published in hard copy.

Our Dog, Rusty, takes first prize in the "Savvy Senior" competition at a dog festival at the University Village.

October Cousin Stan apears on the front page of the Seattle Times with interim University Of Washington president Phyllis Wise.

Seahawks trade Wide Receiver Deion Branch to New England

Dad and I journey to Walla Walla, where there is a big controversy over a mural hanging over a toy store on Main Street.

Sylvester Cann, who was Dean Willard campaign manager, gets national attention by having Barack Obama autograph is I-pad. It is thought to be the first time in history that a president has sign the devise.

San Francisco Giants win their first World Series since moving to the Bay Area from New York in 1958. Tim Lincecum, who the Mariners skipped in the draft was the ace for the Giants. The Texas Rangers ace was Cliff Lee, acquired at mid season from the M's.

November Heartbreak as Cousin Jan Curran passes away after a decade long battle with Lung Cancer. Jan was an inspiration behind this blog.

The heart and soul of the Seattle Mariners, Dave Niehaus dies suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack. The entire area mourns.

My Father-in-law and I watch the New York Giants beat the Seattle Seahawks from a suite in Qwest Field.

We watch Maple Valley native Brandi Carlile perform with the Seattle Symphony.

Deb, Rusty and I make it home by the skin of our teeth after a huge snow storm hits the area. A normally 45 minute drive takes hours, but we are happy to have made it home.

December Legendary Sports broadcasters Ron Santo and Don Mededith pass on

Stormy weather continues to hit the area.

We visit the Winter Wonderland house in Woodinville.

Seattle Seahawks lose three times in a row but remain in contention for the play-offs.

Happy New Year!

KIRO Afternoon Drive Personality Bares Soul

KIRO-FM personalities Ron And Don have a certain chemistry that seems to work on the radio.  Every weekday I can't wait to listen to their show on the way home from work.  Don O'Neill is the outspoken one with the deep voice, while Ron Upshaw seems to be the more reasoning soft spoken one.
Although the show is generally light hearted, they don't avoid serious topics. 
Still it was shocking a couple nights ago when O'Neill launch into a very soul baring speech about what he referred to as a family secret.  He was talking about what he said was mental health issues that run in his family, possibly something that involves himself. I had never, in my decades of listening to radio of all kinds, heard an announcer speak so personally.  It was rather refreshing to hear what sounded as unrehearsed honesty in this day in age on the radio.  You can read O'Neill's  speech by clicking here.