SOMETIME IN JUNE OF 2007 WHEN I WAS SETTING-UP MY WEBSITES for The WWBC, the Legends Of The Rod & Custom Hall Of Fame, and "The Breakfast Serial", I got an eMail from an old friend asking me to be a part of a new Internet-Based Radio Station/Site that he was in the process of getting on-line.
My friend, Bill Clevlen, actually used to call me on my show years earlier as a young listener wanting to get into radio, asking my advice, and generally desiring a career in Broadcasting. When he got older he landed a job here in St. Louis at KEZK Radio where he stayed for a number of years, and is now with KTRS in St. Louis. But, in the Summer of 2007, he put the plans together for an adult-based Internet Station, aptly titled: BillOnTheAir.com, and asked myself and a few others to join his "DreamTeam" of pros on-the-air.
I called Bill, we had a meeting, and I thanked him for the opportunity to work with him...putting together a St. Louis-based Internet Station that would be localized and be viable for in-home, or, in-office listening.
Once it got underway, the station sounded extremely good, smooth, and was a real asset to the market. I took over the 7-Mid. slot Weeknights to keep the smooth, warm sound of the station easy to listen to: whether you were just relaxing at home, or, working on your computer.
Coincidentally, as we were BOTH setting-up our WebSites separately, neither of us was aware of the timing of the launch of our Sites until we got together. At that time, I told Bill that my 40th Anniversary in Broadcasting was coming up on September 10th, he thought that was just really on-target timing, and the launching of both of our Sites took place officially around the 1st of September.
Bill then suggested that we dedicate that night of September 10th as a "Special" and celebrate the Anniversary by devoting the whole evening to it. So, being St. Louis-based, I went through my archives and put together many of my personal memories from that time-period of 1967, as well as those that anyone brought up in this area would remember fondly. A couple of St. Louis newspapers carried the "40th Anniversary" story, and, through a number of old friends in the media it also got National coverage. I was truly humbled by the out pouring of congratulations, and kind thoughts, by many friends, listeners, and, fellow members of the broadcasting media.
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AS FATE WOULD HAVE IT, a few months after we started the project, Bill got very busy, had a few other opportunites, and BillOnTheAit.com eventually faded into the past. It was a great concept, a superb format, and I was very proud to have been a part of it.
I think you'll see what I mean, when you listen to this aircheck. This is another piece of St. Louis Radio History that's been saved and, since it's also a part of my personal history, I'm honored to share it with you.
FROM SEPTEMBER 10th, 2007: "The Jonnie King 40th Anniversary Special"...
NEXT: THE RICK NELSON INTERVIEW, Pt. 1
