Modesto Radio Museum

Submitted by
Name: Jim Fannin
From: Reno, Nv

Comments:
This is so great. I love seeing comments from people like Kenny Roberts, I was convinced that "Skinny Kenny" was the coolest guy on the planet, but never got to meet him. So many of the people who've commented here, or were mentioned here are so important to me. Dave Luna, Gene D'Accardo who I had the great privilege to work for and learn from. Bill Slater, Derek Waring, people I've listed to and admired. Knowing the Pappas family and working for all three of the brothers, and the wonderful Bessie, what a good and kind lady. Cal Purviance, Carol Benson, John Michael Flint was amazing. Watching Chester Smith on channel 19. I remember ordering the "Chester Smith Special" at a local mexican place. Love you Tammy Lynn, Jan London and so many more. God Bless you all.

Added: March 27, 2013

Submitted by
Name: Bobby Ellerbee
From: Eyes Of A Generation.com
E-mail: tobeorellerbee@comcast.net

Comments:
Dear Microphone Man,

Very nice job on the website. I am the owner and operator of the television history website Eyes Of A Generation. You do a very good job on the history of these mics and the broad brand coverage is appreciated. I've spent 45 years behind the mic! Keep up the good work and thanks for the effort! Bobby Ellerbee

http://www.eyesofageneration.com/

Added: January 16, 2013

Submitted by
Name: "FastLane" Clark
From: Born In Modesto, Ca.
E-mail: maverick-sales@comcast.net

Comments:
Speaking Of KBHI-FM,89.9 FM, 1974-June 1979. KBHI-FM,
broadcasting from the Campus of Beyer High School was possible mostly to the efforts Ron Underwood, A teacher @ Beyer High School. Mr. Underwood, along with other
teachers @ Beyer, Migrated from Downey High School when
Beyer high school opened in 1973 or 74. Little Known fact that In The 1970's, "Modesto,Calif. was the only town in the United States that had 2 high School Radio Stations in the same town". Ron Was also Instrumental in the KDHS-FM, 90.5 station that broadcasted From Downey HS
Ron Left for Beyer High School and started the Station at Beyer. I had the honor of learning from Ron @ KBHI-FM and served As their last station Mgr. for the 1978-1979 school year. Despite Mr. Underwood and the students best efforts, KBHI 89.9 FM fell silent on June 11,1979 when The FCC required that All 10W radio stations upgrade their power to Minimum of 100w,which KDJK was unable to raise the money to afford A 100W transmitter. In KBHI's
6 years of existing, It did spawn My 15 year radio career
as well as Cindi Webb, Lois Melkonian (KCBS-AM S.F.) and A few others who moved on in the industry. Hats off To Ron Underwood, who was largely and for the most part
solely responsible for High School radio In Modesto, Ca.
Now In his 70's, Ron still teaches in the Fresno Area.
Hopefully, He will receive The honor of a Spot in The
Modesto Radio museum Hall of Fame for the careers He helped spawn thru the 2 high school station he helped create and his dedication to our local radio market.

Added: December 16, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Bill Bird
From: Sacramento
E-mail: billbird2111@yahoo.com

Comments:
Your identification of Cindi Webb on a live promotion for KBHI Radio (Beyer High) is indeed correct, and your spelling of the name is also spot on. Cindi and I worked together for a year at KBHI, before she left for bigger and brighter lights. As a matter of fact, as I recall, she was working for the FM station inside the KTRB (KHOP) building in the late 70's.

I lived around the corner from the KTRB studios, on a street called Ribier. Both Norwegian Avenue (where KTRB was located) and Tokay connected to McHenry. Ribier was not, which made it a safer street for children.

I would later wind up working for KMPH All News 107.5 FM in Fresno, owned by the immortal Harry Pappas (some people have other nicknames for him). About the only time my voice was ever heard in the Modesto market, other than some early work on KBHI, was when KTRB began to simulcast station news reports out of Fresno. I do recall that we had to expand our news coverage to better cover the Modesto market, and that voice arrived with the hire of Mary (Action) Jackson in 1996 or 1997.

The big bummer about this move was it extended our lockout from very short news reports, leaving even less precious seconds for news. I think the lockout went something like this: Bill Bird for All News KMPH 107.5 and KTRB 860. We complained bitterly.

I'm sorry that I missed the golden era of Modesto radio programming, when local news and reports were so very important. By the time I finally came of age, AM Radio was near death. Although I would do news for a short period, opportunities and money dried up during my entire career. I finally switched careers into public relations in 1999...

Bill Bird

Added: December 12, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Dave Luna
From: Merced, Ca.
E-mail: dluna1958@att.net

Comments:
Nice to look at the site and remember when I started. I'm still at it after over 30 years, But I have to share something that happen to me when I was a Broadcast student at Modesto JC....

When I was at MJC..I use to call a local DJ when he was on the air. I got to know him and we would talk about music and radio. One day I wanted to tour the station. I had asked him a couple of times and he blew me off. Then one day after class I asked if I could come by and he said "I have not time for you, don't you ever call me again". My heart sank too. I didn't let it bug me. It made me want to get into radio and prove this guy wrong and as they say, the rest is history..Now back about few years ago, I was at the Stanislaus Fair Media lunch and I ran into the same DJ ..He came up to me and said he loved the station and my show and said, good job!!..I thanked him and went our way. I didn't bring up 30 years ago. And we still keep in touch on a business level.

And as I look over the website and thinking of the fun times I had at some of the stations mentioned...I still don't think I will ever bring that up to him..

Dave Luna

Added: October 15, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Frank Cousineau
From: Modesto
E-mail: frankcousineau@yahoo.com

Comments:
As a parti-time commentator with John Katz on KTRB, radio has always been a personal fascination. We still believe in the value of radio as a medium of both expression and communication.

Added: October 4, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Kevin Barrett
From: Kansas City MO
E-mail: kevinbfm@earthlink.net

Comments:
I congratulate the Board for creating such an incredible website. One of the highlights of my week while the Operations Manager of KTRB was attending the Modesto Radio Museum board meetings with a group of fine broadcasters & wonderful people.

Added: September 29, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Fr. Michael Boyle
From: Sitka, Alaska
E-mail: frmichael.boyle@gmail.com

Comments:
I wanted to let you all know of the death of my father Ed Boyle. He passed away on August 7, 2012 in Redding, CA. My dad was "Mr. Radio" for most of his life. In Modesto he was the General Manager of KBEE, and preceeding that the Program Manager and morning drive DJ at KFBK in Sacramento. He went on from KBEE to open his own advertising agency "Boyle/Kilpatrick and Associates". After retirement he and my mother moved to Redding, where my mother Barbara still lives. I wanted to let those who knew my dad of his passing, and for the very fond memeories our family has of our time in Modesto.

Admin reply: Thank you very much for getting in touch with us regarding the death of your father on August 7, 2012. We extend our condolences to you and your family. We will be adding his name to our obituary page.

Added: August 21, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Jim Hodge
From: Charleston, AR
E-mail: ngldove@yahoo.com

Comments:
When Chester Smith's family first came to Turlock, they lived on the 100 block of C Street. My Dad (Hiram Hodge) lived next door to Chester. My Dad would sit on the front porch and play his guitar. Chester came over and ask my Dad if he would teach him how to play the guitar. My dad and Chester would play guitar almost everyday. They became great friends and Chester never forgot my Dad.

Jim Hodge
Charleston, AR

Added: July 18, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Jason Pine
From: Bakersfield CA
E-mail: jmpine@bak.rr.com

Comments:
I really love the sight. I have a lot of memories of listening to Valley radio in the 1980's and 90's and loved many of the personalities which made me grow to love radio. I was saddened to learn that Modesto Junior College no longer has a radio station. That station has a huge history of helping launch many young people in their careers in radio. I was mentored by great people like John Chappell, John Giorgio and Carol Benson. I personally worked in Modesto/Stockton/Merced radio for KOSO/KWIN/KIBG, and few stations up and down the valley. I enjoyed hearing the history on this sight, having worked for the Pappas company in TV, and having met Gene D'accardo from KNBR and feeling a connection that he was from Modesto just like me. Radio is such a great art! It has changed a lot over the last 2 decades. Let's keep the passion going!

Added: July 17, 2012