The Steve Eberhart Collection

[Description by Contributor Steve Eberhart] Long before Rod Roddy (d. 10-27-2003) was the network television announcer bellowing “come on down”, he was a well-known DJ working through some of the hottest top 40 stations in the nation. He grew up in Fort Worth, worked at KFJZ there in the early days of his career, and later did the morning show at KLIF. After that, he began doing the late night talk show which was broadcast on both KLIF 1190 AM (the reigning king of top 40 in Dallas) and KNUS 99 FM (an “underground FM” featuring album rock). Interestingly, one of his frequent callers and listeners was none other than Highland Park resident John Hinkley, who later attempted to assasinate President Ronald Reagan. Initially just called “The Talk Show, it was later named “Hotline with Rod Roddy”. Roddy gained popularity on the show for his many controversial topics by design. On one occasion he took on a former Miss America who was promoting her affiliation with Amway. Roddy expected to discuss the Miss America Pageant, but she wanted to talk about Amway. A heated discussion ensued which resulted in the former Miss America tossing a cup of water in Roddy’s face. Rod went into a tirade and ultimately hyperventilated and passed out briefly — live, on the air. Stunned listeners sent ambulances to the KLIF studios thinking he’d had a heart attack. Within minutes he recovered and went back on the air continuing to lambast Miss America, who cowered into a waiting car and left. Rod continued his controversial topics on his talk show and on two evenings addressed the growing speculation regarding Paul McCartney. A college newspaper had done a story on the coincidences and conjecture regarding various lyrics and photos on Beatles albums. Essentially the story was that Paul had died and the Beatles and their management were covering it up. After the first night of discussing this on the talk show, KLIF was inundated with calls about the show and requests to repeat the subject, which Roddy did the next night. Throughout High School and College campuses the “Paul is Dead” topic was widely discussed. This tape begins slightly in progress with night jock Paxton Mills (d. 6-25-2001) narrating the story. It then continues with Roddy and incoming phone calls. It is interesting from the standpoint of how much speculation and imagination people had on the subject at the time. Ultimately, what may be most interesting about this exhibit is the fact that today, when he’s 64, Paul is alive and well, and sadly, Rod Roddy and Paxton Mills ARE dead. [Our thanks to Steve Eberhart for this exhibit.]  Comments about Rod Roddy and Paxton Mills, KLIF 1969.   ©2006 The Steve Eberhart Collection and REELRADIO, Inc. All Rights Reserved

[Description by Contributor Steve Eberhart]
This is what Ken Dowe wrote to me regarding his Granny Emma character:

Granny Emma (“I may be old, but I got gold!”) lifted me from mediocrity and probably saved my sanity as well as my career. I stole Jonathan Winters’ “Maude Frickert” voice while working for Kent Burkhart in Atlanta. Fellow jock and still great friend Rod (Come on down!) Roddy actually convinced me to turn it into a character. And, “she” made my on-air career.

Later, John (Borders) Dark often would tell me he was going to fire me if I didn’t quit using Emma on air. I lived vicariously though an alter ego that allowed me to say whatever I pleased whenever I chose about whomever I pleased…

“Granny” took on Clint Murchison (DALLAS COWBOY OWNER) and attacked the play of his (“America’s”) team even while traveling with them, and spat officious advice to one and all. Not even nice people like Stanley Marcus were exempt. No one escaped (sorry, “EXcaped”!) the wrath of the wealthy, temperamental, wasp-waisted, Lear Jet flying, 32nd degree martial arts expert …G. Emma Dowe. “Tell McLendon the old Scotch drinker I’ll say what I want! Gimme a check. I’ll buy his place! Any bank!”

Granny Emma went bust in Silicon Valley during the recent dot.com collapses. Ken Dowe is a late blooming hip-hopper with his partner Hymen Childs in Dallas Ft. Worth.

[Our thanks to Steve Eberhart and Ken Dowe for this exhibit.]

About this exhibit…
As of August 2006, Ken Dowe is still active in station management.

Brad Messer (R&R) is featured with two newscasts. As of August 2006, Brad is still on the air in San Antonio.

The aircheck opens with a classic “Communication Is The Beginning Of Understanding” spot from The Bell System.

This recording was originally created at KLIF for the USS KEARSARGE, the third ship in the U.S. Navy to bear the name. It was decommissioned in 1970, about a year after this aircheck.

[Description by Uncle Ricky, from credited sources. Contributed by Jay Marks for Steve Eberhart]

Don Keyes died in Dallas on Monday, January 23, 2006 from medical complications. A public memorial service was held January 28 at the St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Garland, Texas.

As national program director, Don Keyes oversaw the programming operations for all of the McLendon Stations from 1957-1966. These legendary radio stations included KLIF, Dallas-Fort Worth; KILT, Houston; KTSA, San Antonio; KEEL, Shreveport; WYSL, Buffalo; KABL, San Francisco; WYNR (later WNUS) Chicago; XTRA News, Los Angeles, WAKY Louisville and KADS (later KOST) Los Angeles.

This aircheck of The Don Keyes Caper features Keyes in the 3PM hour in Dallas on February 6, 1956 – when “all we housewives (ahem) are taking our coffee break in the middle of the day..”

It conjures up a lost world of a happier, simpler America. But Keyes references more “rock and roll” selections coming up later in the day — after the children return from school, of course.

This exhibit was contributed by Jay Marks for The Steve Eberhart Collection. Steve originally gave it to Jay, and Jay restored it. So now, it’s here, thanks to both Steve and Jay.

You’ll also hear Ed Sullivan pitching Guys And Dolls (the toast of the world!) Really, kids, this was just on the cusp of Rock’n’Roll, and it’s just so … pleasant! All the records have melodies, and those with lyrics are alternately clever, predictable or stupid. Ah, American Popular Music, post WWII. The last of that era is here in this exhibit, not to mention a custom promo voiced by a local Boy Scout.

We must wonder if this was originally saved on acetate — after all, it *was* 1956. FIFTY years ago one week after this exhibit appeared on REELRADIO. One final thought: Gotta love The Four Freshmen, especially with 5 trombones!

[Description by Steve Eberhart]

This is from the reel-to-reel aircheck machine at KLIF in October, 1970 and features KLIF’s full-time part-time (swing) DJ, John Butler.

UNSCOPED! It’s all here, just like it was broadcast originally. But the music licensing and performance people insist we pay them for the rights to present these programs here. Your tax-deductible contribution to REELRADIO, Inc. helps us to continue operating this Repository.

John was a fulltime weekend jock who did fill-in duty and production work for KLIF. In the early 70’s, he was one of KLIF’s most popular DJ’s among young listeners.

This tape is a night shift as John fills in for legendary KLIF jock Mike Selden. Great tunes, great spots, great jingles, great newscasts! KLIF was still cookin’ in 1970. You’ll dig this one.

[Description by Steve Eberhart] Produced by Hugh Heller, this jingle was the epitome of Dallas-Fort Worth radio in the seventies. An obvious dig at former market giant KLIF (without ever mentioning them by name), as KVIL’s fortunes waned in the 90’s, it came full circle: “they can’t afford to do it anymore.” [Previously featured as part of Vibra-Sampler Two (8-25-2002)]

[Description by Steve Eberhart] This composite offers a glimpse at one of the most dynamic personality oriented radio stations of all time — KVIL, Dallas, Texas! It begins with Morning Man and Legendary Programmer Ron Chapman and his original cast including Andy McCollum and Ben Laurie on news, Bill Mercer on sports, and Suzie Humphreys when she was doing traffic reports from the KVIL-o-Copter. This is Ron at his finest! Fast-paced, topical, funny, and of course, the best listener call-ins of anybody in radio. Next up is Larry Dixon, fresh from WAPE. Later, Larry inherited the morning show at KVIL, but here is a peek at Larry doing 9 till noon. An amazing voice, tremendous content, and a cheerful, upbeat show in mid-days! Jim Edwards follows from noon to three. Another dynamic voice and great communicator, ready with the one-liners. Afternoon drive at KVIL was handled by what Chapman used to describe as a “boogie artist”! Mike Selden came from KLIF in 1973 and brought many listeners with him. He “cooked”, always ever-so-carefully, walking the fine line of blue humor. Johnny Michaels had been at KNUS doing mornings and came over to KVIL in 1976 to do nights. Here’s a sample of his nighttime insanity on KVIL. One of the interesting things about KVIL at that time was the belief George Johns (National PD for Fairbanks) had of putting bonafide morning jocks on around the clock. After morning drive, formatics were tighter, but the jocks still played it as a morning show. Lots of localism, information, personality, phone interaction, and promotion, all while keeping the format moving forward with momentum. Indeed, any of KVIL’s lineup could have done mornings effectively anywhere at the time. Enjoy this slice of “Highland Park Radio” from the station “Never Restin’ in the Shade”, KVIL in March 1977.