Randy Jones

[Dave Allen]

I realize this probably should be posted in the Border Patrol section but I have to mention the passing (again) of one of our own..Randy Jones of East Kentucky Broadcasting. Randy died suddenly Sunday night of a massive heart attack. You see for those of us you truly have a passion for this business Randy was one of us. He arrived at the station well before sunlight in the morning and usually he left well after the sun was gone into the night. That's what radio people do. One of my buddies who worked at EKB said that hundreds of his listeners (most of whom had never met him personally) lined the parade route holding up signs saying they would miss him. The Kentucky State Police, The Pikeville KY City Police and the Sheriff's Dept. of Pike County pretty much blocked ALL roads leading into the city for his funeral. Over 100 motorcycles circled, as well. You see kids...THAT is what radio and radio people can do and the type of impact we can have on people's lives...every day people who will never really know us. Hundreds of people who simply enjoyed waking up with Randy every morning took time out of their schedules to pay tribute to him. I guess what I'm saying is the next time corporate radio decides to take off a BROADCASTER and replace him or her with some satellite feed or some syndicated douchebag think of Randy...a BROADCASTER...something that the people who sadly shape our business in 2010 will never understand.

[lastone]

My heart goes out to Randy's family. God bless them.

I guess what I'm saying is the next time corporate radio decides to take off a BROADCASTER and replace him or her with some satellite feed or some syndicated douchebag think of Randy...a BROADCASTER...something that the people who sadly shape our business in 2010 will never understand.

When I told my radio/electronics instructor Raymond Johnston that I had just gotten a job in the business and that I worked for WBTH radio he said: "No Harold, you ARE WBTH radio. Never forget that. The station is what you project whether in front of the mic or behind it. If it is just a job to you then you will never be a "Broadcaster".

Now I have to admit being a young man I didn't fully understand that until some months later when I received a QSL card from Texas repeating what I said in an early morning xmtr test station ID. Even at three in the morning some one is listening. Perhaps only the one. But to that one you mean something. How do you teach this to a computer?

[Greg Goodfellow]

Thanks for sharing, Dave. Your words were spot on. Although I never knew of Randy Jones, obviously his life and career meant much to his listeners. Those of you that live radio are more appreciated than you will know.

Our stations still mourn the loss of both Lou Petronio and Bill Ferrebee (aka Chuck Williams before working for LiteRock 93R during football season). Lou was a consummate broadcaster that touched many during his long (but not nearly long enough) broadcasting career. Bill also was passionate about giving his best each and every time he cracked the mic.