Column 4 - DAVE TUCKER - KLIF - KITE - KBER - KFJZ - KXOL

DAVE TUCKER (Ft. Worth, TX). dvtckr2001@aol.com
Hey Jim, I really enjoy all the stories I've read via Radio Daily News and your web site. You have really kept up with what's going on in the radio community. The stories are great.

As for me I'm semiretired, living in Ft. Worth with my dog Jimmy. Still do voice work for CBS 11 and putter around with my old Porsches. I have a '76 911 and a '58 356 A. I drove the '58 to Indiana last year and entered it in the James Dean Run in Fairmount. Every year thousands of Dean fans gather for a long weekend of car shows, Rockabilly music, a little beer, look at artifacts from Dean's life and career and talk to locals who knew him. Seven hundred Harley's drove into town at once during last year's festival and it sounded like God coming to town for a Slurpee.

Otherwise I shoot a little video, edit and work on my little 'documentaries' about stuff I'm still interested in. Wow, this email is getting boring isn't it?

I'll close by wishing you and yours the best and drop me a line when you have the chance. Take care, Dave

DAVE, Our KFJZ days in the early 70's, were a long enough time ago to warrant at least a couple more emails just to begin to catch us up. Porshes are fun. Nice to see you're taking advantage of that remarkable voice in Cowtown. Tell us more of what else you've been up to. Any update about some of our friends would be nice, too.

1971 began an adventure into News broadcasting under JOE LONG at KBOX, TED AGNEW at KLIF and JOHN RHODES at KITE. It was like a whole new world had opened up. These were the Top News Directors in Texas soaking me wet in their vast knowledge. I told 'em to pour it on! Mobile News reports, interviews, voicers, Newscasts. They kept JIM ROSE busy. No University could scratch the surface.

TED AGNEW, KLIF's News Director planted me right in the center of the action.

After awhile, KLIF's Program Director, MICHAEL O'SHEA, brought in a revolutionary idea for News outros. MIKE said he "Was gonna make DJ's out of us Newsmen."

As with everything KLIF did, it was very flashy. When we gave Dallas' current temperature, we punched a button to launch the new outro cart from the KLIF Control Room. Over the very uptempo music bed, it was loudly proclaimed "JIM ROSE, KLIF News." up to the dramatic KLIF jingle, then straight into KLIF music. How much more excitement can there be? This was the most dramatic Radio fireworks one could possibly imagine. Made each Newscast a real spectacle in the KLIF tradition.

The legendary MIKE SELDEN was PM Drive DJ. MIKE was Tuff As Nails. A Pulse rating period ended declaring MIKE had 100% of Dallas' teens in his audience. Unheard of anywhere else. That's the power and domination KLIF had over Dallas for TWO decades. A copy of that portion of the Pulse rating was posted on every KLIF bulletin board in the building.

JOHN RHODES had just moved over from KTSA with big plans as KITE's News Director. JOHN called me in Dallas with An Offer I Couldn't Refuse. He granted me the title of Senior News Journalist and PM Drive Newscaster with a fifteen minute totally local Newscast. Travis Savings had been the sponsor. KITE wanted to get Travis Savings back.

KITE's general format was EZ Listening with a Contemporary touch. KITE's News was a strong feature with a devoted following. I had the entire KITE News staff to help supply voicers and feeds, but fifteen minutes is a long time to pack with nothing but local News. Especially with two Newscasts each hour to prepare and deliver. JOHN RHODES permeated each of my days with assignments all over every nook and cranny in Bexar County. This was nearly wearing my beloved car out. But, it was so much fun discovering odd News stories and bringing them home to KITE's listeners.

In just a short period of time, Travis Savings came back to KITE as sponsor of my fifteen minutes of fame Newscast. When at KBUC about a year or so earlier, I did a Travis Savings TV commercial that ran at 6 and 10 PM on all three of San Antonio's TV network stations for a solid month. Don't know if that had anything to do with Travis Savings coming back to KITE News or not. Who can say? But they did.

Political election time was fun. My girlfriend, ROZ, and I were invited to the homes of the most popular candidates. Truly exciting hob-knobbing with the Rich and Famous. OH! ROZ was impressed!

ROZ was one of the two voluptuous daughters of the owner of Garza's Western Wear on South St. Mary's, San Antonio's premere cowboy dud hangout. ROZ was my chauffeur. She had never seen anything like this. I was traveling in style. Ain't Radio something else?

We went to the homes of the Bexar County Judge, a Texas Senator and a Congressman. Tried to fit in as many as possible. This was all in just one evening's mad dash. As late results came blazing in during the noisy party time, I'd tape a brief interview. Then, call KITE's News Hotline for the News person to start the tape rolling, plug the cord into the machine, hook the aligator clips to the telephone's mouth piece prongs to send the audio back to KITE.

None of the politicians wanted us to leave. It was like they wanted their own personal KITE News Reporter saturating KITE's airwaves with every word and reaction they had to say. ROZ wanted to stay and party. But my night was completely loaded to the brim with activities that had to be done. We had to Move On Down the Road.

We finished as many interviews as we could do in the short period of time we had. I took the wheel of my 1970 Dodge Charger RT/SE, with its powerful 440 Magnum engine. We zoomed as fast as possible to get back to the KITE studios, downtown San Antonio.

If there was a breath left, I still had to perform as one of the KITE News Staff Co-Anchors. JOHN told me to sit down beside him at the interview desk. We did a type of two-man News Show. JOHN RHODES, interviewed me about political News experiences in Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and other cities in Texas. Don't believe there has been Such A Night since. This felt like the big time.

Deep in the Heart of the activities, KITE's studios were jammed full of the six News staff members. Lots of moving and shuffling around. My hard work for the night was over. The others were very busy on the phones and tape machines. Whew! What a night! Some of us received a bit more dues paying than others. BRING IT ON!

Missed Programming and being a DJ. When A.V. BAMFORD, the owner of KBER FM-AM in San Antonio, called with an offer to become KBER's new Program Director, Music Director and AM Drive DJ, it was too good to be true. Here I was, back in San Antonio to Program KBER against KBUC, which was a Radio Station that I Programmed in 1968 as the new competition for KBER. Radio sure offers a lot of twists and turns. Keeps you on your toes.

A.V. BAMFORD was an old time Texas music promoter and booking agent, plus, he owned KBER. I had to work with what he hired and fired. It was a real challenge to get things on an even keel. Like trying to push a brick wall with one finger. KBER was still in its original transmitter location site way out in a cattle field about a quarter mile from Loop 410 in far southeast San Antonio. Two small buildings. One, for Management, Programming and sales. The other, held a tiny News Room. Things Had Gone To Pieces at KBER. This was right down my alley. I love taking broken things, piecing them back together and fixing them. Listened to and chose lots of excellent Country tunes and artists. A true JOY to behold.

Talked my deep voiced KLIF buddy, JOHN BUTLER, into recording some KBER DJ intros. I worked on giving KBER a slick, fast moving format, with smooth music flow transitions. After awhile, KBER's silver turned into gold. KBER sounded pretty good. Gave a sense of accomplishment.

Dad died, in Dallas, on my birthday, November 16, 1972. This left a huge void.

Early 1973, I hitched up my 1970 Dodge Charger RT/SE with its torrid 440 Magnum engine to another one of those infamous U-Haul trailers, blasted back to Dallas. Didn't have a job in sight. Rented a nice two bedroom apartment in North Dallas, bought a brand spanking new 1973 Dodge Charger SE. This became the first time I got out of Radio.

Kennedy and Cohen had opened two HUGE stores in Texas. One in Dallas, the other in Houston. K & C marketed every brand of appliance, TV, audio equipment and music. There were around 70 of us in the sales force. People from airline pilots to computer language experts. Did pretty good, but when Radio is as thick in your blood as mine, there is a pulsating tremble to leap-frog back into Radio's Wonderful Web.

RAY POTTER, KFJZ's Program Director, offered me week-ends. I shouted "YES!" Now, I was with true legendary Radio DJ's. GEORGE ERWIN, DAVE TUCKER, LARRY SHANNON, MARK STEVENS and LARRY JAMES. That was the lineup.

Here I was, my home was in North Dallas. Never calculated the miles driven back-and-forth, but they were a lot. MARK STEVENS put me to work spinning platters one night a week at a niteclub he owned. Met the daughter of a Ft. Worth City Councilman who offered to let me stay at her house on the weekends. This cut the driving down a lot.

RAY was a real gemto work for. RAY moved me to the full time all-night DJ spot almost immediately. Then, RAY left. 22 year old BEAU WEAVER flew in from San Fransisco, scooted me into the 9a-noon slot. Then, BEAU left. JON RIVERS came aboard, sent me packing.

Zipped over to KXOL as Music Director. Another legendary Texas Radio Station. This presented me with the finest office that I ever had in Radio. Only a double-paned sound-proof window to the left seperated my desk from the KXOL Control room.

Tuesdays were set aside for all day long weekly meetings with every Major Record Company Promotion person! Some came as far away as Los Angeles to meet and greet KXOL's new Music Director. This was another real dues paying learning process.

MICHAEL JAMES LUCAS later joined us as Program Director. We just had ourselves one whale of a good time. KXOL sounded GREAT.

A couple years later, KXOL switched formats from Top 40 to Country. Some people left. I was asked to remain as Music Director and 9a-noon DJ.

Don't go to the Circus for a Ride on the Roller Coaster. Get into Radio. You'll Never Regret It.Houston, Texas

That's pretty much the way I REMEMBER it.

JIM ROSE

Houston, Texas

Thank You For Stopping By

Add This To Your Favorites

rosekkkj@earthlink.net

Be aware of the coming book

"JIM ROSE REMEMBERS...RADIO!"

Column 3 - DON KEYES-BOB TOMINSON-GARY MCBRAYER-GARY MACK-MICHAEL JAMES LUCAS

DON KEYES (Dallas, TX) keynote@comcast.net

Enjoyed your Joe Long tribute. I hired Joe into the McLendon organization back in 56 when I was PD of KTSA. Got him out of WNOX in Knoxville, Tenn. He was ND at KTSA and a year later when Gordon bought KILT Bill Weaver, Joe and myself were transferred over there, me as PD, Joe as ND and Weaver as GM. Then, in 57 or so I became National PD and returned to Dallas and not too long thereafter Joe came along as ND of KLIF. We became good friends over the years and I miss him to this day. Do you have any info about his widow and kids?

Don Keyes

DON, As you well know, JOE was one of a kind. His funeral was a private affair attended by only family and very close friends. I have no information on JOE's widow or kids at this time. JOE LONG, and what he induced becomes more clear as time passes. He was Wise beyond his years! DON, What a discovery you made in JOE LONG!

When I first arrived at KBOX in 1971, one of JOE LONG's opening remarks was, "News Broadcasting is 90% Effort and 10% Talent." That struck a chord! But, soon discovered it's true! Work hard in that News Room and you will produce!I joined TED AGNEW's KLIF News Team in 1972!

JOHN RHODES called me in Dallas with an offer to return to San Antonio as PM Drive News Anchor at KITE! This was after JOHN recently came over from KTSA.

Ironically, on a later Southwest Airlines flight between Dallas and San Antonio, TED AGNEW sat down next to me. TED said he had tried to locate me awhile earlier to come back to KLIF.

To be taught by the best, my venture into Radio Newscasting at KBOX, KLIF and KITE in the early 70's, drug me away from a long term DJ role that eventually pulled me back into its web. But, what a huge knowledge gained!

BOB TOMLINSON (Ft. Worth, TX) frbob@swbell.net

I've enjoyed your stories on Dallas radio. I grew up in Dallas and remember the great radio of the 50's,60's and earlie 70's. I always wish I had had a chance to work in Dallas before I left the business. Charlie Van Dyke has been one of those I have followed for some time. We emailed for a time but have since lost touch. He's in Phoenix, Arizona and can be reached at tvfmam@aol.com

Thanks Jim keep the stories coming.Rev. Fr. Bob Tomlinson Fort Worth, Tx

Over 30 of Texas Biggest, Best, Smallest and Worst Radio Stations since 1964, should qualify for a huge 45 rpm record to be stamped somewhere on my anatomy. Experienced Radio format changes, management changes, programming about-faces, silly consultant 'mini-dramas', music sped up where JOHN DENVER sounded like the chipmonks, chased down I-10 by a Houston "Play Misty For Me" crazy woman who simply would not take "NO!" for an answer, ONLY DJ all day long every day with no cart machines, endless series of little Radio occurrences that bring many Smiles and Chuckles.

GARY MCBRAYER GMcbr1480@aol.com

Jim: Enjoyed your Texas radio memories, especially your time working with the legendary Joe Long. I noticed you mentioned working with Bobby Brock at WFAA. I collect airchecks and have been trying to find Bobby Brock checks from his days at K-BOX and/or WFAA. Do you know of anyone who might have something or do you have any information on his whereabouts? Regards,

Gary McBrayer

GARY, Last time I saw BOBBY BROCK was in August 1968, just before leaving WFAA for a Program Director offer from KBUC FM-AM in San Antonio. CHARLIE VAN was Program Director at WFAA. He and BOBBY were best of friends and were next door neighbors at the time. Bet if you locate CHARLIE, some news of BOBBY will surface. Still have an LP that was autographed to BOBBY after a MARTY ROBBINS interview in my vast record and C-D collection!

GARY MACK (Dallas, TX) GMack@jfk.org

Hello Jim, I enjoyed your remembrance of Joe. I was in Top 40 radio from 1964 to 1980, but I'm not the Gary Mack who worked at KBOX. My knowledge of Joe comes from his pool coverage of JFK's arrival at Love Field in 1963. Very distinctive voice and delivery, and that's part of what makes radio interesting! I'm not sure I agree with Joe's belief that one should never call attention to a mistake or being cut off. Having worked in television, too, I know that while a new anchor will say "We've apparently lost our signal," he's clarifying what happened AND, perhaps more importantly, waiting for his producer to say in his ear what he should do next. But I'd also like to know if you have information on Dick Moore's whereabouts. I met him back in the late 70's here in Dallas and have wondered what happened to him. Any ideas? Thanks, Gary Mack Curator The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

411 Elm St Suite 120 Dallas TX 75202-3308 gmack@jfk.org

GARY, haven't seen DICK MOORE since I left KBOX for KLIF in 1972, then back to San Antonio. Kinda lost touch with Dallas Radio happenings for awhile. DICK MOORE brings to mind a few neat stories that might be interesting at another time.

GARY MACK (Dallas, TX) GMack@jfk.org

Jim, I was PD at KLEO in Wichita, a Swanson Broadcasting station. Swanson bought KFJZ AM/FM and I moved to Fort Worth in 1976 to turn the FM from beautiful music to Top 40. We signed on as Z-97 in April 1977. Peter McLane was brought in to program the AM while I was getting the FM ready. We did well, then disco split our 12-24 target audience and there was little we could do. The numbers started to go down, the AM actually got an ARB asterisk in spring 1980 (!) so management wanted the FM to get 12-49. I said it couldn't be done (in this market at that time) and that wasn't what they wanted to hear. So I was out and got into tv as a booth announcer. Heh!

Things worked out. I developed an interest in the JFK story and eventually spoke with or met several KBOX people over the years, including Dick, Irene Runnels, Stu Hepburn (he's still around), Ron Jenkins and Sam Pate. What a group! And I was the first to tell Ron that I knew he and Sam had recreated some of their "actualities" in the minutes after the assassination. He was stunned. I could tell because the siren sounds they dubbed in were recorded in a downtown area with reverb from the buildings. Well, there were no such buildings from Dealey Plaza to Parkland Hospital......

Please let me know if you hear about Dick - he's the one who ran air checks at the studio of KBOX's coverage that afternoon and kept the tapes. He loaned them to a congressional committee in 1978 and when they came back, they were dubs, not his originals (which are now at the National Archives).

Gary gmack@jfk.org

GARY, You make a good point and I understand what you're saying about being "cut off" or "losing your connection." But, what JOE taught was that you never draw attention to any mechanical malfunction on the air. If a connection is lost, most people won't even notice. But, if attention is drawn to it, everyone becomes aware of it. JOE's scheme was to try and make problems and transitions flow smoothly, so the viewer or listener won't be drawn up into whatever difficulty arises. The Producer chats often in the News Anchor's ear plug.

On FOX Network, just this week, a News Anchor drew attention to the fact that the Producer was giving advice in their ear plug. Just yesterday on one of the Network News Channels, I saw and heard a new News anchor make big mention that she was hearing a loud buzz in her ear. I could just hear JOE LONG say, "Pull it out of your ear! Lay it down!"

We all make mistakes - LORD knows I've made many more than the allotted share - but after you have any period of time under JOE LONG's tuteledge, it becomes so obvious, things like these Reach Out and Grab You.In JOE LONG's mind, repetition begats seasoning. After awhile, you begin to just glide right over on-air problems like they don't even exist. The viewing and listening audience never knows. It seems, to me, no one is teaching News Anchors or Newscasters about these things anymore, because every single one of them does it. Instantly, the thought is "Where's JOE LONG?!"

JOE insisted that you be ready for anything to happen. Always have another News story or pertaining item at your side, waiting for an opportune moment. Simply move on like nothing happened. JOE instilled another thing that stands out in my mind, even today. One of the most mispronounced words is pronunciation. How many times have you heard someone correct a word by saying, "_____ is the correct pronounciation?" JOE was so keen-minded in details. When you joined a JOE LONG News team, educating was an ongoing process. JOE never made you feel dumb or stupid. He merely pointed out how something could be done better or more smooth.

MICHAEL JAMES LUCAS (Austin, TX) mjlucas@austin.rr.com

Jim,Saw your note in Claude Hall's column asking about Charlie Pro (Procise) and his whereabouts. I am sorry to tell you Charlie passed away a number of years ago in Nashville.

You might recall that when I left KXOL in 76, I went to program KRZI in Waco. I actually replaced Charlie who went across town to WACO where he stayed just a short time. My recollection is that the owner/manager of WACO hired Charlie and half the staff away from KRZI just to hurt them, then after everyone was replaced at KRZI, cut them all loose. (Remember those kinds of horror stories?)

That's when I met Charlie. He had just been cut loose from WACO and was trying to decide his next move. As it happened, he and Don McGuire, another fellow who got caught up in the KRZI/WACO massacre took off for Nashville and opened a commercial production house called "Charlie and Company". They did really well for a number of years when Charlie had a fatal heart attack. I don't remember the year, but I believe I was still in Waco and I left there in '95.His family is still in the Nashville area and his son Gibb is still running the production house. The last number I have is 615.661.7770 office; I haven't called it in a couple of years, so I'm not sure how good this number is.

I see you've been hooking up with Jarrott. That's good. If you ever visit Austin, we could have a KXOL reunion just among ourselves. Hope all is well with you and stay in touch. Michael Lucas

MIKE, This was indeed a shocking report. I had lost touch with CHARLIE PRO over the years. At one time, CHARLIE, had been a DJ in New York. As I recall, sometime back in the early 70's, CHARLIE was Program Director at KXOL. That was the last time we sat down and chewed the fat. We chatted for at least THREE hours about Radio experiences. CHARLIE PRO had a pleasant deep voice and truly is a Texas Radio Legend!

That's pretty much the way I REMEMBER it!

JIM ROSE

Houston, Texas

Thank You For Stopping By

Add This To Your Favorites

rosekkkj@earthlink.net

Be aware of the coming book

"JIM ROSE REMEMBERS...RADIO!"

Column 2 - JOE LONG AND KBOX NEWS

JOE LONG AND KBOX NEWS

One of life's little treasures in Texas Radio was being lucky enough to participate in the Legendary JOE LONG's KBOX/KTLC FM News Department at 9900 McCree Road in far North Dallas! I was there from 1971-72. What JOE LONG taught me about Radio News helped in more ways than just Radio and has stayed to this day. This was something I never fully appreciated until years later! At one time, JOE LONG was the News Director for GORDON MCLENDON's Texas Radio Stations: KLIF, KILT and KTSA!

Among many things, JOE tossed me right in the middle of the City Beat, Voicers and Mobile News Reporting along with regular night time newscasts on KBOX AM and KTLC FM. When alone in the News Room, it sounded like 5000 different Police, Sheriff, Department of Public Safety and all other Radio Dispatchers talking at the SAME TIME, VERY LOUD! JOE told me "You'll get used to it." After a few weeks, I DID get used to it. If fact, when away, I actually MISSED it! One of the many things JOE LONG told me, in the beginning, was "Radio News reporting was 90% effort and 10% talent." That was a very humbling statement!

JOE gave me a list of about 40 telephone numbers to call EVERY HOUR, checking for News Breaking stories! When was there any time to do all that? Forcing oneself to a routine cadence making those 40 calls each hour got easier as each week progressed. 'Course you just did not have time to make all 40 calls! You learned, quickly, which calls produced the most important results! All you needed to do was make the calls! I actually BROKE a lot of News stories in Dallas by making the calls religiously! JOE was right again! No wonder he was a LEGEND!

JOE taught "If you fumble a word, keep on going, don't call attention to it. Most people won't even notice anyway. Only correct the giving of directions." TV News Anchors make this blunder all the time on Network News. Makes you want to tap their fingers with a ruler. There is no JOE LONG around to train News Reporters anymore! For instance, if a connection drops or goes bad, don't draw attention to it by saying something like "I guess we lost him..." or "We've lost that connection."

JOE always said "The listener is smart enough to notice your connection was lost. Never draw attention to it. Never repeat a word you fumbled. Just keep on talking as if nothing happened. 99% of the people will never notice." BRILLIANT! These teachings seem so obvious after being made aware of 'em! They tend to jump right out at you when you hear them being comitted!

JOE told me to never call AP or UPI with a News story until after I aired it on KBOX. Both AP and UPI gave awards for News stories! AP gave a by-line with Your Name and Radio Station call letters for all to see! At the end of the week, UPS listed News stories and the name of the person who gave it to them and their call letters! Needless to say, I made sure when a story was found, it was reported on KBOX, first and foremost! Then, I would call AP and UPI!

JIM ROSE's name began popping up on both wire services often, because I followed JOE's rule of making as many of the 40 calls every hour. This got to be a routine that became very fun and exciting to be the first to discover a News happening and to beat so many other News Reporters to a particular story! Especially All News Radio stations!JOE LONG seemed to always be out there somewhere in one of the two KBOX Mobile News Units at night! When you finished delivering a Newscast, you tended to hesitate for at least 30 seconds before doing anything else. Because you KNEW JOE LONG was out there somewhere listening and might just make a comment! Not always, but you never knew when! JOE was NEVER rude or condescending! He performed similar to a college professor.

KBOX had an impressive Mobile News Report Intro! JOE LONG's voice was the most articulate and authoritative anywhere! JOE's deep voice would say "HERE'S A KBOX MOBILE NEWS REPORT!" You better start talking quickly! "This is JIM ROSE, KBOX Mobile News, enroute to the scene of an Armed Robbery! Details when I arrive! JIM ROSE KBOX MOBILE NEWS!" This was JOE LONG Show-Biz!

The tricky part of Mobile News Reporting for JOE LONG was you had to head on out to the scene while announcing where you were going and why! Maneuvering Dallas' traffic with one hand on the steering wheel, holding the Mobile News Mic with the other and talking required lots of crafty moves for some of us!

When my Mobile Reporting shift was complete, I hurried back to the KBOX Studios to do nightly Newscasts. Throughout the evening, would cut News Voicers to be used the next day in Newscasts. Toward the final two hours, I would tape 2 five minute Newscast carts each for KBOX and KTLC FM to be alternated on the all-night shows. KTLC FM was automated.

In other words, if you listened to KBOX or KTLC FM, from 1971-72 nearly any time of the day, you heard JIM ROSE's voice 24 hours a day, whether you liked it or not. Only one day a week did you get relief, my day off!

I drove one of the two bright red Mustang KBOX Mobile News Units to every Major car accident and Robbery scene that Dallas' traffic would let me race to get to. KBOX's Mobile News Units had large bubble gum machines on top and KBOX NEWS scrawled in bold letters on both sides of the car! Very recognizable, even from a mile away! That was JOE's point! BRILLIANT!

JOE had me Stationed around White Rock Lake because from there he said I was near Dallas' Main Arteries. White Rock Lake was beautiful! Some of Big D's most wealthy citizens had huge mansions around its circumference! H.L.Hunt's stately residence was one of them! Sometimes, while motivating by Hunt's Hacienda, I would roll down the Mobile Unit's window, wave to anybody I saw on the massive front yard. No one ever waved back, but it was fun.One slow night, nothing much was happening. I chased an ambulance, CODE 10, to the hospital! I wanted to get there at the same time as the ambulance to see if there was anything worth calling in with a Mobile News Report. Knew it might get me into trouble, but why not?

When we approached the hospital, a Dallas Police Department squad car was following me! "OH NO! Maybe they will keep on going and pass me by!" I slowly drove inside the hospital's Emergency underground parking, not too far behind the ambulance! NO SUCH LUCK! The DPD unit followed, almost on my bumper! "WHAT AM I GONNA DO!? MY WHOLE LIFE WAS FLASHING BY" The small underground Emergency parking area had only about 10-12 spaces! I parked all the way down to the dark opposite end, next to the wall, praying DPD was just pursuing the ambulance and not me!

DPD parked next to the ambulance on MY side! Two huge officers got out! There they stood, facing me, waiting! I knew, then, my goose was cooked! The Officers were very polite. The Dallas Police Department had great respect for KBOX News! They told me "Don't ever do that, again!" I said, quietly, "Yes Sir." A great big WHEW covered me from head to toe!

When they walked away, I sneaked back to the Mobile Unit and made like a snail out of that place! I vowed NEVER to do that again! Dues Paying sometimes has close calls! Just one of the MANY aspects of being a part of one of the most exciting careers imaginable! RADIO!

THEN ONE EVENING...JOE LONG PASSED AWAY!

DICK MOORE, a long time KBOX News veteran rushed into the News Room, quickly typed out the story, handed it to me, told me to BREAK IN on the DJ show and BROADCAST this SHOCKING BULLETIN!

I needed time to try and prepare for these, hopefully, terse words about to be uttered about a Radio Pioneer and Legend such as JOE LONG! How was I going to do this without bursting into tears talking on the air in this grave moment about a man who had taught me so much about Radio News Reporting that would remain for eternity.

The most difficult task I ever had in life was to announce on the air that JOE LONG had just passed away! Barely could speak the words, but, somehow they rolled out!

This type of Radio Dues Paying is one you never are fully prepared for!

That's pretty much the way I REMEMBER it.

JIM ROSE

Houston, Texas

Thank You For Stopping By

Add This To Your Favorites

rosekkkj@earthlink.net

Be aware of the coming book

"JIM ROSE REMEMBERS...RADIO!"

Column 1 - ELVIS PRESLEY DIED AUGUST 16, 1977

ELVIS PRESLEY DIED AUGUST 16, 1977

CHRIS COLLIER was the new KIKK FM Program Director who presented my newest radio adventure in August 1977. KIKK FM was #1 ARB rated in Houston, plus KIKK FM was one of the most well-respected contemporary Country radio stations in America. Had to travel the dangerous 90+ miles one-way back-and-forth on I-10 from Beaumont to Houston for several weeks. This had to end. Time to pack up and move to Houston.

The movers and I sped out I-10 WEST to the new assignment at KIKK FM. Began surfing the radio dial for a glimpse of my fresh destination. A scratchy voice on what appeared to be KIKK AM emerged saying what sounded like ELVIS WAS DEAD! NAW, IMPOSSIBLE! Surely I heard it wrong through the raspy radio signals. Further down I-10, the 650 frequency came into full ear range. What a time to embark on a new DJ position in Houston Radio.

A brand new building was under construction on Gulfton in the popular southwest section of Houston. KIKK FM and AM were simulcast during sunlight. KIKK AM was a daytime only frequency. When relocated, KIKK FM and AM would become two seperately programmed radio stations, each with its own airstaff and studios. When all that was completed, I was to do either 9a-noon or noon-3p on KIKK FM. In the meantime, JIM ROSE became like a bouncing ball between KIKK FM and AM. KIKK FM had me glued to Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons. Plus, filled in whenever and wherever there was a need on just about every airshift on both frequencies.

Both KIKK FM and AM management soon discovered that the love of radio and the word NO are absent from my vocabulary when broadcast responsibilities come calling. Sometimes numerous assignments were created on both KIKK FM and KIKK AM. That was alright with me. When an individual has such a predominent radio craving as mine, this becomes a strong factor in a person's radio pursuit. Almost anything requested was just alright with me.

Even though the KIKK FM role was my primary obligation, still got caught up in the power struggle between the two programming chiefs. CHRIS, also, was fresh on the scene at KIKK. A powerful rivalry between KIKK FM and KIKK AM kept the fires burning. Could not understand why. Felt like we should be concentrating on our strong outside competition. All this locomotion just added more fire to the flame in the wonderful game of radio. Never a dull moment. The KIKK AM broadcast staff was jealous of the MUCH HIGHER ratings KIKK FM enjoyed. Had a strong belief that all this mish-mash was mighty foolish, but who was I to say? JIM ROSE was the new kid on the block. What does he know?

The KIKK FM-AM studios were still located in Pasadena, near the ship channel, in an old two story building that had weathered lots of hurricanes. The equipment was first rate, but the building needed to be sent out to sea anchored to a kite.When the brand new building was complete, I was the very first DJ to broadcast live from the new KIKK FM control room on Gulfton with the fabulous all new building and equipment. Thus, KIKK's music leaders were officially relocated from Pasadena to Houston in one sweep. After that feat was accomplished, I waltzed across to the KIKK AM control room, just a few feet away, to get KIKK AM rolling in the marvelous new building. What an historic occasion. Totally awe inspiring. Really exciting being in that beautiful new two story facility on Gulfton in the heart of southwest Houston with all the stunning brand new equipment.

A couple of months after I arrived, CHRIS COLLIER, departed. Out went all the promises that were made. The G-M said Do you have it in writing? The new KIKK FM Program Director was BOB YOUNG, who had absolutely NO relationship to BILL YOUNG. That fact was quite evident right from the start. BOB came in with his own agenda. I was not in it as a mid-day DJ. BOBBBY BOY put me in charge of Music Research, in addition to KIKK FM DJ Swing Shift. This included an occasional impromptu KIKK AM DJ show.

One day, I received a letter in the mail from the new KIKK FM Program Director. He FIRED me! First time I was ever fired by letter. Wait just a minute. My FIRST CLASS FCC LICENSE was still mounted in the looseleaf notebook inside the KIKK FM studio. Could stroll right into the KIKK FM control room blindfolded and find it. The document was stashed on the floor to the left of the KIKK FM control room horseshoe.

Determined to show this young whipper-snapper a thing or two, I was going to go fetch it when BOB was on the air. There was a separate entrance, or exit, for KIKK DJs. This was a two-story outside metal staircase which lead up to the studios on the second floor. Waited in my car in KIKK's rear parking lot for BOB YOUNG to go on the air at 9a. Scrambled up the stairs, invaded the KIKK FM control room. BOB's eyes were as big as dinner plates. BOB was simply speechless. Merely stated that my License was still in the book and I came to get it. BOB seemed to relax a bit when he discovered that I was not going to cram the mic down his throat. Scooped up my First Class FCC License, hot-footed it out of the building with the biggest grin in Harris County. The huge smile never left my face for a solid week. This young hotshot was going to try and pull something like that on a guy who had already experienced just about all the surprizes that radio could bring forth.

When at KILT for the second time about fourteen years later, Westinghouse bought KIKK FM-AM. One Fine Day, KILT's Operation Manager, RICK CANDEA, told me to meet him at KIKK on Gulfton, in the now old building, to help him take a look at things. This was the first time I had seen the building since it was brand new in 1977. Boxes were lined all up and down the upstairs halls. Not as pretty a picture as I had remembered.

There was my compadre, JOE LADD, who was still at KIKK. We chatted about old times. Up walked HARVEY T. My, what a wonderful reunion. JOE and HARVEY T were still holding down the fort at KIKK. Just had a good old time as we relived the good old daze. This was truly a great occasion.

LARRY VANCE was P-D at KNUZ. I zipped out of KIKK FM to all-nites at KNUZ to try to get away from Radio politics. Nobody bothers the all night DJ, RIGHT? After I got off the air at 5 AM, had to zig-zag all over Houston in the KNUZ Mobile unit. I would call in on the 2-way on-the-air to shout my location. The first person to find me, wherever I was, scored a bright shiny new LP.

Houston's traffic was really bad then, too. Could not believe the amount of people who braved heavy traffic while going to work to find me just for an LP. Rain or shine here they came. It was like watching police arrive at the scene of a robbery on the "COPS" TV show. Get outta my way! It's MINE! Always brought along extra LP's. Everybody was a winner when JIM ROSE hands out prizes. Never proclaimed that fact on the air, but news travels fast. This is part of how we Radio Vets paid some of our dues.Things like this make Radio so very exciting but sometimes dangerous.

Early on, I learned one-on-one communication. By lots and lots of practice, a voice emerged that seemed to magnetize lady listeners. Many of my female admirers actually felt like we were on a date when I was on the air. Unbelieveable. That's the way one-on-one communication is supposed to work, I guess, but some damsels took it too serious.

The inevitable, happened early one morning. A girl who called everytime I was on the air constantly pressuring for us to meet, showed up for her prize LP. This one was an AMAZON! A couple of times, before, when I got off the air at 5 AM, noticed what appeared to be her, waiting in the shadows of the dark tree-lined KNUZ parking lot on Caroline Street near Downtown Houston. She told me on the phone several times that she might show up one morning. This caused me to began carrying my car keys in hand before leaving the building in case she actually showed up. When I thought I saw her there, acted like didn't see her, hurried to my car, got in, locked the doors, ZOOMED out of the parking lot! She never followed me home, as was done several times by a couple of girls in San Antonio. Thank GOD!

She thought she had me stranded where I couldn't get away from her this time. She was the only one who had shown up, right then. Had to speak to her face-to-face and hand her the KNUZ LP she had won, Thinking quickly, I stayed inside the KNUZ Mobile Unit, handed her the LP through the half opened car window. Told her "Congradulations. Thanks for listening to KNUZ." She tried to grab my hand. Told her had to rush back to KNUZ to record some commercials. Revved off like BUCK ROGERS. Experience taught to plan ahead for times like this. You just never know what to expect. Especially a city the size of Houston.

A similar situation occurred in Ft. Worth in 1974 after a KXOL remote broadcast. She grabbed my car door before I could close it. Rammed her massive arms over the car's window. She was JUMBO. That's a whole other story. Another KNUZ all-night show listener became just like the CRAZY woman in the movie "Play Misty For Me" with Clint Eastwood. Her name was SHIRLEY. It took nearly five years to shake her. I moved all around S-W Houston. Somehow, she would find me. She went all over the place telling people she was my fiance. This continued way past my KULF period from 1978-81 and further. This girl was the main reason I got out of Radio in 1981. That was the ONLY way to be rid of her.

Moved over to KENR to do weekend swing, which overlapped with Shell Oil. Eased into the massive seven building Shell Oil structure at Dairy Ashford and I-10 as a Geo-Tech and Draftsman. She found out about Shell, which was not very far from where she lived on Gessner. She hassled me on the phone in my office. A book should be written about all the many episodes she brought on. Maybe more about this girl, SHIRLEY, in another episode.

KNUZ shifted me to the noon-3 PM DJ spot on your Radio dial. Much better. Artfully maneuvering the KNUZ Mobile Unit all over Houston's traffic became more and more of a challenge. Especially after FIVE hours on the air. Here I was right back in the center of Radio politics again. The KNUZ lineup included ARCH YANCY 6a-9a, LARRY VANCE 9a-noon, JIM ROSE noon-3p, DAVE BIONDI 3p-6p and CHARLEY SEAY was 6p-midnight.

I met with LARRY VANCE, asked for a sizeable increase due to the phenomenal move up the ladder. LARRY stumbled, thought he was gonna have a heart attack. Found out that you simply never ask for more money at KNUZ. What you got was what you get. The owner came downstairs from his gold-studded office on high, made a long speech as to why I wouldn't get more bucks out of KNUZ. He thought it was an honor and a privilege to be on the air at such a tremendously historic Radio Station, such as KNUZ, which was still !in its original untouched building from the 50's. There were huge KNUZ letters splattered at an angle nearly covering the entire front of the edifice. It was an honor and a privilege to be a DJ at KNUZ, but that doesn't put beans on the table. When the meeting ended, I rushed to the Production Room, typed out a full page one month letter of resignation and took it to LARRY in his office.

Really should not have done that, but felt so defeated. Had not even thought of where I was going when the notice was up at KNUZ. Just got caught up in the moment. That was not a bright idea. When you're younger, sometimes rash decisions are made. We are supposed to grow from our mistakes. Living and learning are a part of life.

What eventually happened was I landed at KULF in the extraordinary penthouse high atop 2100 Travis in the Hospital District. KULF had the finest equipment and facilities I ever had the honor and privilege to use. Everything was layed out exactly as it should be. Just sitting in the tall DJ chair, looking about, gave you glimpses of splendor. The Control Room had tall windows that looked out onto the huge Medical Center Area at the edge of Downtown Houston. You could See For Miles and Miles.

This was a long, long way from that little 250 watt Daytimer, KTER, in Terrell, Texas.

KTER was inside a very old bank building which should have been condemned. For a few months at KTER, I ended up on the air sign-on to sign-off every single day, Monday-Friday. KTER's old gray Console had to be the first one ever built. The Production Room didn't Produce. All spots read live. No News department. A couple of the commercials were played from E-T's while you were on the air. Not extraterrestials, but Electrical Transcriptions. No News department. We Ripped'n'Read. All the 45's and LP's were located in another room. You pulled what records were needed, lugged them into the tiny Control Room. Cued 'em up on noisy Rek-O-Kut turntables. Those Were The Days, My Friend. DUES PAYING AT ITS ULTIMATE. Maybe the decision to leave KNUZ at that particular time was not such a bad idea after all.

That's pretty much the way I REMEMBER it.

JIM ROSE

Houston, Texas

Thank You For Stopping By

Add This To Your Favorites

rosekkkj@earthlink.net

Be aware of the coming book

"JIM ROSE REMEMBERS...RADIO!"