Randy's AM Asylum Blog

TOO MUCH OF THE BAD STUFF

2008-04-30T10:07:00.003-04:00

I have had tons of inquiries by phone, e-mail, mail, text messages, and folks just asking, about my absence from the radio during the week of April, 21. The guys who filled in, (by the way, thanks guys) were kind of vague as to the reason for my absence and it left a lot of people to wonder. Due to the sheer number of these inquiries I feel that I owe you an explanation, so here goes.

Maybe a little history would be in order next; I started dabbling in radio when I was in high school. From that time until 1973 I dabbled both full and part time, until I heard the siren song of big money in the coal industry and answered it's call. This was just prior the the "Coal Boom" of '74. I worked as a heavy equipment operator, both in mining and construction, until November of 1996. My tenure as an operator was about 2 months short of 23 years. Most of the years I spent out there were before pressurized and filtered air cabs, and in a lot of cases, right out there in the open air to breathe whatever the next breeze blew in your face. I was also a cigarette smoker.

For several years my doctor has monitored a couple of the lymh nodes on my lungs. After a rather severe bout with shortness of breath last August, I had a CT scan and the doctor said we would have to monitor the nodes very carefully. He told me to quit smoking and lose weight and all would probably be well, but I needed to have another CT in December to watch the nodes; I did neither nor did I have the CT. A follow up visit in March brought much wailing and gnashing of teeth, and he ordered me to have the CT at the next available opening in the schedule at the Diagnostic Center; I did this time.

Lo and behold, one of the lymph nodes had grown to the point that he wanted me to see Dr. Dennis Havens at Pikeville Medical Center. Dr. Havens is an experienced and knowledgable cardiothoracic surgeon, who is also one helluva nice guy; down to earth and plain. He wanted to biopsy the nodes just to make sure that is was as he suspected, rock dust...BUT (could we have some ominous music here please) there was a spot on my right lung that had not appeared in the CTs last year. He noticed it quite by accident.

Even though an ominous spot on your lung is not a good thing, he explained that when they were found by accident it usually meant they were very small and very new, and that usually meant all would turn out well even if the pathology did not. Still, you never know.

On the morning of April 21, I went in for the surgery. Dr. Havens, with the assistance of his trusty Physicians Assistant, Nicole Burchfield, removed the nodes and the spot. Everything appeared to be negative as far as cancer. I spent the first night in the Intensive Care Unit as a precaution, and then on Tuesday moved to a private room. Let me stop right here to say that Terra Gilbert, the nurse aide in ICU, and Melissa Goodman, the night shift nurse on sixth floor, are angels without wings. They are "angels of mercy". Anyway, I was released from the hospital on Wednesday afternoon and went home to be pampered by my family. My wife, Paulette, also an R.N and angel of mercy, and my sons Corey and Austin babied me to death; I am forever grateful (and somewhat apologetic) for what I subjected them to.

That's pretty much the story as to my absence except to say this; I never realized that so many people cared for me and my well being. I was placed on the prayer list of several area churches, and many of them have said they offered prayers of praise for the good news I received. I stop daily and ask myself, "Can this be?" "Is this all for me?" "This many people care for me?" I'm deeply moved, yet I hear from people daily who offer congratulations and say good things about their feelings for me.

I don't know what to say except, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Stay tuned, I'm a new man.

Randy

CATCHING UP!

2008-03-30T16:30:00.004-04:00

Wow! Has it been almost 4 months since I posted an entry on here? That's not good, I'll do better.

I suppose the most interesting things I've done since then is go to Nashville twice. On December 30, Andrew Joyce and I traveled to Music City to broadcast and attend the Music City Bowl. We knew that there would be tons of people in town to go to the game, and we knew that downtown Nashville would be Wildcat blue. Our headquarters was the famous Wildhorse Saloon, and we were right, downtown was Wildcat Heaven. It didn't take long to start bumping into home folk and we enjoyed the experience immensely.

(above) My friend, Rebecca Lynn Howard came by the Wildhorse to say hello.

(above) A couple of Andrew's fans stopped to say hello ( Tennessee Titans cheerleaders). Lord, I hope Becky doesn't read this.

COUNTRY RADIO SEMINAR

The Country Radio Seminar (CRS) is a once a year gathering in Nashville hosted and organized by the Country Radio Broadcasters Association. It gives us the opportunity to attend sessions designed to learn all that is new and updated in the industry and to meet and greet a lot of the established country stars, as well as the newer ones on the horizon. It was in a hallway of the Nashville Convention Center a few years ago at CRS that my buddy, Russ Ocker (KMGO-FM Centerville, Iowa), and I started talking to a kid who was just coming on to the country scene. He was very down to earth and a very nice young man, and when he played the Expo Center a few months ago he remembered the meeting; Dierks Bentley. The record labels all have suites in the Renaissance Hotel where we are invited to various showcases by their artists. A few years ago, while visiting one of these suites and waiting on my friend Rebecca Lynn Howard to arrive, I sat on a couch with a group of people enjoying a ...uh...huh...refreshment. An extremely nice young man came over and sat down and we discussed everything from the weather to music to the radio industry. I remember thinking that as nice as he is, and as young and good looking as he is, he should have a shot at this music deal. It was Billy Currington.

You just never know who you will sit down at a table with or who you'll bump into in a hallway. The entire seminar is all about country radio, so the artists are there en masse to shake hands and say thank you. I was fortunate enough to see a full band performance by Garth Brooks this year. We also saw shows and showcases by James Otto, Lady Antebellum, Emily West (don't worry, if you don't know who she is, you will), Taylor Swift, Keith Anderson, Katie Armiger, The Roys, Rodney Atkins, Ashley Gearing, Montgomery Gentry, Luke Bryan, Jason Michael Carroll, Bucky Covington, Jake Owen...well, you get the picture.

One of the most amazing experiences was being invited to an invitation only showcase by James Otto. My long time buddy, Johnny Mitchell, who now works for Warner Brothers Records, managed to get me and my friend, Russ, an invitation to the showcase at a fancy Nashville restaurant, Sambucca's. Not only was the food amazing, the company was as well. John Rich sat across the room and Gator Michael, the main man at Warner Brothers came around and greeted everyone. The performance by James Otto was accompanied by Shannon Lawson (a member of the Musik Mafia and a Kentucky boy), and as James explained it, "his brother-in-law whom he invted to play bass at the last minute", Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts.

(above) me, Jay DeMarcus and Russ Ocker

I suppose what I'll do now is just share a few pictures. I'm like the aggravating neighbor that wants to show you all 10,00 vacation pictures.

(above) Amanda Henkel, Miss Hawaiian Tropic International '04 & '05. She's my good friend, Cody McCarver's girlfriend. I got to spend a lot of time with Cody and Amanda, they are great down-to-earth people.

(above) me and Jewel.

(above) Johnny Mitchell, Warner Brothers Records, me, James Otto, Russ Ocker.

(above) me and Robert Reynolds formerly of the Mavericks (psst, Trisha Yearwood's first husband).

(above) Rebecca Lynn Howard happened to be perfroming at the Grand Ole Opry on the Friday night of CRS and invited me to tag along. Here we are in the dressing room before the show.

That's about it for now. I'll bore you with more after Hillbilly Days.

Stay tuned

Randy

MY TRAIN RIDE

2007-12-11T11:42:00.000-05:00

It's been almost a month since I wrote a blog entry, so I thought I might as well catch up today. I've been to some interesting places and seen some amazing sights, not to mention meeting some wonderful people. Let's just use this blog entry to talk about one in particular.

THE SANTA TRAIN
In mid November I was invited to ride on the 65th Annual Santa Train. I suppose most everyone knows of this event, but just in case, The Santa Train is a project of the Kingsport, TN Chamber of Commerce. It leaves the CSX Shelbiana train yard every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and travels to Kingsport. Santa and another celebrity,this year Patty Loveless, ride on the train and throw candy and toys to the crowds that gather at the 14 stops along the way.

THE HISTORIC RAIL CARS
So as not to have someone drive to Kingsport and pick me up at the end of the ride on Saturday, I drove to Kingsport on Friday and rode the train to Shelby. Folks, I had not ridden a train since I was bout 10 years old and I was absolutely fascinated by the ride. All the sights and sounds and tunnels and trestles along the way were amazing. The rail cars, all named for states, are restored passenger cars that once ran the rails all over the country, the earliest ones built in the 1920s and the latest in 1954.

The picture above is one of the cars with some of the Kingsport Chamber members and their guests. It shows just how nice the cars really are. Each car has a CSX employee that takes care of the people on that car. They can answer questions, give directions and they make sure that the snack trays are always full and that there is a plentiful supply coffee and soft drinks. These people were always polite, courteous and very friendly. Good down to earth folk.

THE MEDIA CAR "INDIANA"

The media reps all ride in one car and the picture above is a look inside "Indiana", that was the name of our media car. Note the "beautiful" yellow shirts that we were required to wear if we got off to record, write or film at any of the stops. Everybody growls about the shirts, but notice that they did not hamper the "bull" sessions in the car.

THE FOOD

WOW! The food on this excursion was tremendous to say the least. On Friday during the trip to Shelby we were treated to a boxed lunch consisting of turkey, dressing and the trimmings. When someone said a boxed lunch would be served, I was skeptical; until I started eating. Man, was it good! On Saturday a continental breakfast was offered in the dining car, or buffet car as it were, and then a full buffet spread for lunch. This food can only be described as fabulous. On
Friday afternoon one of the CSX people brought the two chefs to the media car, and it was then that we understood why the food was so good. Chef Janie introduced us to her partner, Chef Bobby. As it turns out, Bobby, an aging Filipino gentleman, had been a chef in both the Carter and Reagan White Houses. As you might imagine, this piqued the interest of us media types and Bobby stayed for an hour answering the 10,000 questions we bombarded him with. He had some stories to tell, believe you me. Here are a couple of pictures of the buffet car.

THE REASON
I don't want to leave you with the impression that this entire event was about me and my choo-choo ride. The Santa Train has attained legendary status, and with good reason. It delivers a lot of goodwill to the people of the mountains from our neighbors down in Tennessee. To see the smiles and the excitement and to get to meet new people is a grand event for me, and it's you, our listeners, that make it all possible. I am forever grateful.

Stay Tuned
Randy

LUCY

2007-11-11T12:27:00.001-05:00

I don't suppose it's a secret to anyone that we suffered a great loss here this week. Lucille Smith left us on Tuesday November, 6. This is a great personal loss to me, to lose a friend and work associate of more than 40 years, but it's even a greater loss to her listeners.

Lucy was the epitome of a broadcaster. A professional in every aspect. How? you say. As broadcasters we strive to entertain and inform. She did. Her humor was sometimes corny, but her listeners ate it up, and her information was up to date, useful and intersting to them. She would tell a joke with a bit of a giggle, deliver an obituary with a tear in her voice, wish a happy birthday with a sparkle of celebration, and tell of an anniversary with a voice of love and admiration. She knew who her listeners were, even if she never met them, and she knew what information they were hungry for. She fed it to them with the loving hand of a mother.

I first engineered her show along about 1967. I couldn't have been more intimidated if I had been in the presence of Walter Cronkite. This was Lucy, Lucille Smith, who in just 3 years had risen to a level of prominence in broadcasting unattainable by the average mortal radio announcer. This was "The Personal Touch" and I had to get it right. I didn't a few times and boy could she dress you down. It was sweet, yet to the point, and you knew that you did not hold favor with the Queen. When you did perform above the call in the clutch, the praise was heaped upon you and you knew that all was right with the world.

Lucy's listeners would sometimes call and throw both of us a curve ball. They would call with a special request for a hymn or song for a departed loved one and Lucy couldn't say no; afterall whose show was it anyway, ours or theirs? In those days there were no computer systems with all of the music categorized. There was a huge rack on the wall with maybe 2,000 45 r.p.m. records, and underneath, half that many albums. They were supposed to be alphabetized, but that was a joke. So Lucy would look through the window and say, "Randy will find that song just in a minute". Randy would dive through the air and onto the floor to find just what Lucy had called for. I would find her songs or perish trying. After the show, Lucy would walk in the studio with a kind word and lay down $1.00. Now, for a teenager making $1.18 per hour, that little dough was like striking gold, but I didn't do it for the money. A lot of times I would refuse and she would act as if her feelings were hurt. I did it to please Lucy. She did it to please her precious listeners. I learned where my priorities should be. An invaluable lesson as a broadcaster.

I celebrate Lucy's life and always will. She was sick and lived 90 years. From August 13, 1917 until the morning of November 6, 2007, her life was wrapped around family and friends. Every single person that ever heard one minute of her show was her friend.

I'll never say this in the past tense; "I Love you my Sunshine Girl".

Stay tuned
Randy

MY HEADS 'A REELIN'

2007-10-14T15:14:00.000-04:00

I have all kinds of "stuff" on my mind today. The word stuff is my substitute for another "s" word that I can't use here or on the radio.

1. I hope the dirty (#@! that are supplying this poison(drugs) to our people have their bones toasted in the southern most tortured corner of Hell! May they suffer the Biblical plagues as an hors d'oeurve and then get the good stuff.

2. Our courtesy and respect as drivers is becoming more like Lexington and Lousiville everyday. So be it. If we desire that hustle, bustle, never make eye contact lifestyle; let it be. I'm not interested.

3. Motorcycle riders; I'm one of you. I love my bike and the freedom it gives me, but I am quick to realize that some of that freedom is about to be challenged. No, not the the helmet law, the noise law. Y'all with straight pipes, or as we refer to them, drag pipes, you're going to be the ones that cause all of us to have to run stock pipes. No, this is not a "choice" issue like helmets where you can argue your position, this is an issue of a public nuisance. Virginia has already started cracking down, and with good reason the way some of you act, and Kentucky is not far behind. The law is already written in KY, it's just a matter of enforcement. It's coming. NOOO! wait, I'm not holier than thou. I don't run stock pipes...Don't want to. I geet a nice sound with muffled pipes, without anyone riding behind me or standing beside the road having to re-bury their kin folk. Get real! It's not a matter of choice, it's a matter of respect. You're showing your ass. Stop it! Don't make everyone else pay for your lack of judgement.

4. My last random thought for the day...for the rest of my life is this...I WILL NEVER, EVER, NEVER, NEVER, EVER, EVER, retreat from my position as English being the language of the United States of America. When I see a product marketed with instructions printed in English and French I usually take the position of, "O.K. they market in Canada, also". That's free enterprise and that's fine, but when I am having Spanish shoved down my throat because immigrants (legal or otherwise) want me to accept their language instead of them accepting ours, I could BOIL! Yeah, yeah, I know, the British settlers robbed the Native Americans of the language that was native to the continent, but the Native Americans had hundreds of different dialects and when the language was standardized it became the language of the United States of America hundred of years ago. It is the accepted language of our culture, our society, our people. If they want to come and live in this country (once agian, legal or otherwise) then that is a completely separate argument from what I am proposing here. Learn the language people. Do not expect me to learn yours in order to do business with you, give you a restaurant order, or have you do business with me... WAIT A MINUTE! THAT'S THE ISSUE! Businesses are so intent on growing their business, based upon this growing population, that they are willing to do whatever it takes, even surrender our culture, to the immigrant population. Now I know how the Native Americans felt. Dang, I hate revelations.

Did I say never ever?

Adios
Stay Tuned
Randy

I'M WORRIED!

2007-08-26T14:00:00.000-04:00

I'm beginning to worry about us. Who's us? My people, my neighbors, my fellow Pike Countians. I'm starting to wonder if we are losing our respect for others, our Hillbilly Way.
Whether it be driving, eating in a restaurant, standing in line for something or just cruising the aisles of whatever "Mart" it may be, I'm seeing a difference and I do not like it.

Here's what I don't like; the lack of common respect. Giving someone a break in traffic, having 10 items in your grocery buggy and the guy behind you has 2 and you don't say, "hey go ahead and you can get gone", foul language in a public place, giving a minumum wage cashier the benefit of the doubt in a store when they follow policy to protect their job and it inconviences us for 30 seconds. I'm put out.

I love Pikeville and Pike County. I was born here, make my home and living here, and I hope when the time comes to be given back to the earth, it will be on the side of a Pike County hill. I think we are a model for small communities throughout the nation. No, we are not perfect, but we have a lot going for us. I know everyone doesn't have city water, sewer, paved roads and the like, but I honestly believe we are ahead of the game for areas as geographically challenged as we are. What worries me is that I remember when Lexington was a tremendously "southern" city. People would make eye contact and smile, they spoke with an accent that was predominantly southern, they would give you a break in traffic and be courteous in general. Now, Lexington had might as well be any urban area in the country. It has lost its' charm. It's just another city. The more modern we become, the more we are acting like urban dwellers.

I consider myself tuned into these things because of my job. I'm bad to get lost in my thoughts and not speak to people in places where I should, or to wave at them in traffic. I don't do it intentionally, I just get lost in my head. Before I would have anybody think I'm stuck up or arrogant, I would go out onto the side of one of these hills and expedite my return to the earth. I wasn't raised thay way, I don't think that way nor will I conduct myself that way in any lucid moment. However, in trying to correct my own shortcomings I'm noticing that more of us are losing common respect. The more I drive, the more I shop, the more events I attend, the more I notice it. I'm bothered.

Look around. See if you don't agree. I could set here and write about specifics for hours, but it would only illustrate my experiences. How about yours? Are you seeing this? I guess the bottom line is this; clean up your own backyard like I'm trying to do. You'll notice in the beginning of this deal I said "us" not just "you or them". I guess that if I'm lost in my thoughts then I'm concentrating on me. I need to be even more considerate of others. I've often thought myself to be considerate, but the more of the words and thoughts I pour onto this page the more I realize that I am guilty too.

I will do better.

Will you? Please?

Stay tuned
Randy

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO WRITE!

2007-08-05T12:18:00.000-04:00

Folks tell me that a blogs are supposed to be updated on a regular basis. O.K. agreed, but what do I write? I'm very surprised that management hasn't had anything to say about my tardiness in entering things here. I read other people's blogs on other sites and all I see is either stuff that's readily available on the internet or sophomoric ramblings that appear to be from Seventeen magazine.

I'm an expert rambler, but I always wonder who gives a hang about what I want to ramble about. What the heck; here goes.

Rambling #1. I stopped at a convenience store today. I just wanted a Gatorade, some smokes and a can of lighter fluid. Gatorade, no problem. Smokes, no problem. Lighter fluid...Holy God! Security has been breached! They told me that they didn't carry it anymore. Can you believe it? Just good ol' Zippo or Ronsonol or whatever? Said something about young people sniffing it or something like that. If they did carry it I would have to show I.D and all that crap. For a freakin' can of lighter fluid? I'll bet it's the meth manufacturing crap instead of the young people thing.

Rambling #2. Drugs. I hear it everyday until I get sick of hearing about the drug problem. It doesn't matter where I am or what setting I'm in, people are ranting about the drug problem. I am tempted to ask, yet afraid of coming off like a smart ass; what are you doing about it? I've done that a couple of times and the answer is always the same; nobody'll listen or I don't want to get mixed up in it or I have and they didn't do a doggone thing. Folks, we are becoming more empowered everyday with ways to do something about it. People will listen. If you don't want to get mixed up in it, then talk about the weather. You won't get mixed up in it either, you'll just suffer its consequences and move on, with your trap yapping all the way. UNITE and law enforcement agencies have ways to report drug activity anonymously. If you're afraid of the guy up the holler who is dealing death to the tune of thousands of dollars a day then report him anonymously. It can be done. 1-800-DOUNITE. Free call.

Rambling #3. I'm going to use this rambling to revisit rambling #2. A lot of the time the reason authorities don't do anything about the drug problem is because they are overwhelmed. It is like trying to control the gnat population. You can spray around the picnic table or on the front porch, and do some temporary good. You might get your hotdog eaten, but before long the gnats are back. When it comes time for the watermelon, the gnats are back again. All they do is fly over to the neighbor's picnic and when the smoke clears, they're ready for more action. If you and all the neighbors don't do something, then the problem just keeps buzzing.

Rambling #4. UNITE has a new concept that I find intriguing. Court Watch. It is citizens going to the local courts and observing the proceedings. What good does it do? In my opinion it does a couple of thing. First, it lets local officials know that citizens are watching what's going on. I happen to be acquainted with the four judges in Pike County that conduct matters involving drugs or crimes committed directly involving drug dealing. I respect and trust all four, having known them for many years. I think they are as appalled, if not more so, than most citizens with the state of affairs involving drugs, and they need to know they have support.

Secondly, it's kind of like when someone is in the studio with me, or maybe when someone is watching you do your job. You know your job, you're experienced at your job, you don't much care who watches you, but maybe just maybe, in a moment with an interested party viewing, you might take a little more pains to see that things are done right. I guarantee you that to a man these honorable jurists are doing exactly what they think is right and within the law, but they see hundreds a week, and no doubt, at some point their guard may be dropped, if only for a moment, yet dropped just the same. You may be the one set of eyes in that courtroom that they make contact with, and it may remind them that the citizens care for and appreciate the effort they give and the judgment they render.

If there's a subject, serious or not, that you want me to ramble about just send an e-mail to wdhr@wdhr.com. I'll ramble about it sooner or later.

Stay tuned
Randy

THE BLOG I'VE PUT OFF; PETER IS LEAVING

2007-06-10T15:56:00.000-04:00

I've dreaded writing this post for about six months, but it can't wait any longer. Peter Girourad is leaving me and the "A.M. Asylum". Friday June, 15 will be our last show together. I'm devastated. Peter is moving back to his native Providence, Rhode Island.

I was given the news back at the first of the year, but I kept thinking that something would change his thinking or that I, or someone else, could say or do something that would change his mind. It hasn't worked. This is our last week together; this is his last week in Pikeville.

Peter came to Pikeville in August 1999 with a friend to open a business. He first came in June of that year and moved here officially in August. He and his partner founded a little business that has now expanded to 3 stores in 3 different cities. It has grown from absolute zero to success. This is quite an endeavor in the business environment that has existed in the last 8 years, yet success is subjective, and to a person with the drive that Peter has to do well, it has been a challenge met and one to be bested.

Peter's brothers and all his relatives live in or near Providence and it is his hometown. He has been away from home for all these years and he is quite homesick. Yet, he has fallen in love with this area and its' people, and all who have gotten to know him have returned that love to him.

Peter was a part time employee of WZLK under it's previous owner. When East Kentucky Broadcasting acquired the station, Peter and the other employees were retained. Peter was the morning sidekick to Jeff Meek on ZLK and when the format was changed and Jeff moved to another slot, afternoon drive time on WDHR, Peter stayed on in the morning to help the rest of us on the various stations. We immediately bonded. I have never had another person in this business with whom I felt closer; this business or any other.

There is so much that goes on behind the scenes that it is impossible to explain. The on-air stuff is about 50% of it. Peter knows what needs to be done and he does it. He doesn't have to be told, he just gets it done and moves on. Being an early riser, a lot of it is done before I ever get here. Then there is the stuff that hits us blind side. He and I are on the same wavelength and a lot of the time we don't have to discuss things, we just move in that direction and it happens. Call it chemistry.

Peter is an educated and well read man. I enjoy our conversations off mic, because we tend to enjoy a lot of the same ideals and interests in many areas, but his command and retention of the Classics far surpasses mine.

As a person I have never met his equal. Never. Every person with whom he makes contact is treated with the utmost respect. He views everyone as his equal as a human being. Prince or Pauper it doesn't matter, they are treated in a courteous, kind, polite, respectful manner. This is a credit to his parents.

I truly dread Friday, June 15 at 9:00 a.m. At this time he and his brothers, who are coming to drive back to Providence with him, are leaving Pikeville. It is like dreading the death of a friend. It's like when we are at a funeral and you say they're in a better place, but dang it hurts us here. I don't mean for this to sound morbid, but these are my true feelings. If I characterize it any other way then I am being dishonest with you. I am losing a sidekick, a comrade, a buddy, someone who holds my greatest respect, but most of all a friend...a true friend.

My favorite humor writer, Lewis Grizzard, wrote a book called "They Tore Out My Heart and Stomped That Sucker Flat". Grizzard was talking more about his physical problems than emotional, but that title applies to me now. It's making me physically sick.

Godspeed Pete!

Stay Tuned
Randy

HILLBILLY DAYS & STUFF

2007-04-22T16:45:00.000-04:00

Hello everybody. I bet you thought I had abandoned the ol' blog and just stuck to runnin' my mouth. No such luck.

I'm posting this on the Sunday afternoon after the 31st annual Hillbilly Days, and I'm tired, yet re-charged and ready to count the days until Hillbilly Days 32.

I look forward to Hillbilly Days with the same enthusiasm that I did Christmas when I was a child. Here at work it is as busy, if not busier, than Christmas. If anything makes it busier it is the fact that we do a lot more off site stuff, in other words more out on the street broadcasting, yet this is the time of year that I get to see people I haven't seen since last year or that I may not have seen in many years; that's special to me. Another thing that makes it special is when people come up to me and say, "Hey you're that Randy Jones feller", or "Hey you're that feller I hear on the radio", and I acknowledge. The special part is not because people recognize me, but that I get to shake somebody's hand and say hello and let them know that I, too, am a born and bred hillbilly who knows people they know, I know something about their neck of the woods and that I'm not some imported "talking head".

I want to stop right here and say to "naturalized hillbillies" that I am not putting you down and casting any negativity against you. If you learn to appreciate our culture and our ways and don't try to water down our history with political correctness, then you're O.K. If you want to make a positive contribution to our region, then you're alright.

Dang, this thing is getting wordy isn't it? I'll quit soon.

I know people, who are native hillbillies (although they're too snooty to admit it), that have lost total touch, or have never been in touch with our mountain heritage. I pity them. They have never sat on a front porch and heard an old person sing "You'v Gotta Walk That Lonesome Valley", or hoed a row of corn, or heard someone pick a banjo in real life, or seen a carbide light, or seen a man come out of a "doghole" mine with a carbide light on his hat. These people can't give you directions to communities within 10 miles of Pikeville, they can't drive on a 2 lane road and tell you how to pass correctly; hell they're confused by how to change lanes on a 4 lane. They've never seen a drive in movie, and if they did they'd probably bitch about the sound quality or something, never once stopping to think that it might not be about the stupid movie. They totally think we've lost it when we talk about the tremendous accomplishment of filling a quart jar full of lightning bugs, or playing tag after dark.

I'm going to quit. I don't want to start sounding like someone who thinks everything modern is some sort of affront to nature, the human race and our founding fathers.

If the way we live now is the way of the future, so be it. I'm along for the ride. But let's appreciate Hillbilly Days, it's one of the things left we can call our own. Don't be rude, let people out in traffic, don't be a bully, don't look for the bad. Be kind, speak to people and smile, wait in line patiently, give one person in traffic a break once per day. KNOW ABOVE ALL ELSE!, The Hillbilly Days Festival is about helping people who can't help themselves; handicapped and burned children. If you contribute to Hillbilly Days in this manner and with this frame of mind, then you are carrying on one of our most important traditions.

Stay tuned
Randy

THE BLAHS!

2007-03-18T14:58:00.000-04:00

I'm in a funk. You know, those times when everything just seems to be going down hill. I have discovered in my 56 years that life really is a roller coaster ride. You have those times when you wouldn't care if it snowed oats, and then you have those times when a lottery win would seem just o.k.

I had a ball (no that's not a play on words) during the 15th region tournament. I came out of that thing on Saturday March 10 with a little bounce in my step. I was glad that the 2 best teams in the region would represent us. Everything went very well from my perspective as the public address announcer. John Biery is a heck of a tournament manager and the Expo Center staff is 1st class all the way.

On Sunday the 11th I found out that a buddy, whom I knew had cancer, was critical. Dadgummit! 60 years old, full of life, and a good and decent man. (If you teach your children that life is fair, then you are doing them a disservice). He passed Wednesday. 60 years old! That ain't right! Our youngest son, Austin, was a friend of the step son since high school and got to know him well. Austin is crushed. The whole situation; his family, my son, his work mates who couldn't say enough good about him...the whole deal sucks.

Another friend of 35 years retired and went back to his hometown. I had known 5 months that it was coming, but that doesn't make it any easier.

Yet another friend, not for so many years, but someone very close to me has told me they are leaving about mid year to go back home. STOP IT!

WAAAAHHHH, WAAAAHHHH!

I told you not to teach your children that life is fair. Children, life is NOT fair. Never has been...Never will be. Anyone who says it is is a misguided soul. So I CHOOSE to get over it.

One of the smartest people I know, as far as human relations, describes life, jobs and relationsips by comparing them to a Ferris Wheel. You rise to the top and then you'd better expect a down trend. Enjoy the view from the top and when you cycle back down, hang on and give it a big kick, you're going back to the top again.

I feel better already.

Stay tuned
Randy

YOU'RE A CELEBRITY!

2007-03-04T14:52:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I have posted on here, so I hope you haven't given up on me completely. Honestly, I have tried to write on this particular subject about 5 times, and every time I do I come away thinking that everyone will view me as some big ego-maniac and I delete the thing and move on. Now I'm going to try it again and this time I'm going to write the dang thing anyway and try to make my point.

A fellow that I considered my mentor in this business once told me that to be successful in radio it required an "overwhelming desire for personal recognition". At that point in the early 70s I left radio and moved to a totally different occupation; I didn't have that desire. I stayed away for 24 years.

All the years I was away from radio full time I kept thinking about what I could have done, or would have done had I taken a different path. God blessed me with a nice throat and the equipment therein to make sounds that folks find pleasant; at least I hear that a lot. But maybe, just maybe, I could do more than just use my throat to make a buck. The personal recognition would be nice, but could I really touch people's lives? That would be the ultimate satisfaction in my way of looking at things.

Now it's 2007. I have just returned from a trip to Nashville and an event called the Country Radio Seminar (CRS). It is 4 solid days of shows with big name stars, small time stars, stars to be and stars you've never heard of and may never hear of. There are plenty of so called "sessions" on various subjects related to the radio industry, and plenty of "sessions" of pure YEEE-HAWW! with other radio people from the 50 states. Did I learn anything? Yeah, I think so. Let me try to explain.

Several of the big stars that I really admire are very big on helping other people get a start in the music business. It doesn't matter what I think about their music or public image, they are using their good fortune to help others. Toby Keith has taken his fame and money and started his own record label to help struggling artists. Tim McGraw has helped numerous artists get a start, not the least of which is Jo Dee Messina. Danny Shirley, the driving force behind Confederate Railroad, hauled a young kid around several years ago letting him open shows and try to get noticed when Confederate Railroad was big time...that kids name is Kenny Chesney. Danny is doing the same thing now with Cody McCarver.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am a native of Pikeville, KY. I live within one tenth of a mile from where I was raised. The Jones Fork of Feds Creek carries my family name. I married a local girl and my sons were raised right here in this community. I get quite a bit of recognition every day, even when I go to the grocery store, just because of my voice, but I would go to the top of a hill and blow my brains out before I would ever snub someone or not speak when spoken to.

I told you I was having a helluva time writing this, so I may be all over the road. The thing I want to say is that it doesn't matter what your station in life is. When you get the opportunity to help someone do something...then do it. It will pay off a thousand times over!

I am invited to do a lot of things for a lot of causes. The last couple of years I have been asked to be a "celebrity waiter" at a local restaurant for a cause. "Celebrity"? Me? Dang It I'm from Ferguson Creek. 7-9pm? ssshewww it I get up at 4:15am! OK, OK, I'll do it. A week later I received a card from a little boy who benefited from my inconvenience. He drew the card and in his little first grade printing he thanked me. I cried. I took from MY busy time to help. Imagine that, celebrity that I am.

A couple of times I have been asked to use my connection with a country star to do a program for a local school system during a critical time of year for the young people; prom. It's always in the morning and very hard for the star to do, but they did it as a favor to me and with a sense of purpose for the young people. The last time I did it, the young people were rowdy and didn't appear to pay attention. I was embarrassed for myself and the star, but more especially for the young people. A few months later I met one of the rowdy young people. They told me that they attended the thing that morning and it started them thinking. They had a good time at the prom and didn't necessarily act like a "little angel", but they altered their plans from what they had originally intended, played it safe and felt they had made the right decision. I shivered. Imagine that, asking a favor of me, celebrity that I am.

November 4, 2007. I was the MC at the Expo Center for the Sawyer Brown/Confederate Railroad/Jeff Bates show. I had a ball! It had been a very long day and when it was over I was bushed. While standing near the front entrance after the show talking with some friends, a lady recognized me and asked me for a favor. She was with 2 other ladies and a handicapped young person. She told me of the child's love of Sawyer Brown and could I get "him" to do a meet and greet. "Him" meaning lead singer Mark Miller who everyone thinks is Sawyer Brown. Without thinking of my station in life I went down the elevator and found Sawyer Brown's road manager and made the request. He said he would try. After about 15 minutes he came back and said that Mark was with his parents and had already changed clothes, but he handed me a picture autographed by the entire band. I thought, "Geesh, what a let down", but the child and the ladies were absolutely thrilled when I presented it. They asked if they could take a picture of me with the child and after considering the damage to their camera I agreed. I'm always embarrassed when I see a picture of myself.

I received an e-mail a couple of weeks ago telling me that the young "special" person had chosen me as their new "hero". He carries my picture with him and tells everyone that we are friends. Me? Why? Because I took a minute...and you can too. I choke up every time I think about it.

Take a minute that you don't have and do something for someone. Be a celebrity in your own way. It doesn't matter who you help, if someone needs it and you give it, you will be celebrated in ways that will matter in such a time as it WILL matter. Help Somebody.

I hope and pray you accept this post as it feels in my heart and not as some sort of ego thing that my lack of writing skills and clear thinking may have blundered into.

Stay tuned
Randy

COOPERATION & OUR PEOPLE

2007-01-27T17:46:00.000-05:00

Hello everybody and thanks for checking out the blog. Dave, our internet guy, tells me that we get lots of hits on the blog, the only problem is that the posts are sometimes 2 weeks apart. I could probably post more often, but I'm not inspired to do so. I think there's enough blah, blah, blah on all forms of media to do for a lifetime, so when I'm inspired I post, if not then I don't. I'm not too bad to blah, blah, blah.

My inspiration this time is the intensive care waiting room at Pikeville Medical Center. I am fortunate to say that I have only experienced an ICU waiting room once in a hospital other than PMC, but I have experienced it 3 times here. I barely remember the experience at the other hospital, but my most recent experience at PMC was this past week. This post has nothing to do with the hospital, it has to do with the people in those ICU waiting rooms and the cooperation, care and compassion of those who are...waiting.

In this particular ICU waiting room there were several families, including my own. Well it's actually my wifes family, but after 36 years with them and the relationship we share, they ARE my family. In that room there are two phone extensions that seem to ring all the time. I called a couple of times for my wife, and if she was available she was called for and answered right away. If she wasn't readily available then someone went across the hall to see if she was in the other waiting room. As I was sitting there during one of my visits, people were constantly opening the door from the other waiting room asking if the So&So family was in there.

Then the question hit me! Does this happen everywhere? You know, places like New York, California, anywhere in an area where people don't make eye contact and say "hey how ya' doin' when they are walking down the street or going down the aisle in the grocery store; do they cooperate like our mountain people do in times like this? I was raised within 3 miles of where I'm sitting right now. I grew up in a little country store. When people in the community were experiencing such things as would land a family in an intensive care unit of that era, everyone helped as best they could. It wasn't taught; it was understood. Why? Because it was the right thing to do.

Here is what I know; times have changed and people have changed. A lot our culture and customs have evaporated, but taking care of each other, acquainted or not, during those bad times remains in our Hillbilly DNA. When it's bad and I mean really bad, I am thoroughly convinced that you'll answer that call from my family and my family will certainly do the same for yours.

Stay tuned and thanks
Randy

p.s. Sign the guest book while you're on the website and say howdy. Make comments or whatever. We won't spam you or sell your information to some list that will. It's just between us.

Bad Weather Days

2007-01-10T15:13:00.000-05:00

WOO-EEE! Yesterday (January 9) was one of those days we all look forward to (not) in the radio business; a school/no school day. Here at WDHR we have 10 telephone lines and it is not unusual to have all 10 ringing at the same time, and honestly this can go on for 24 hours at a time. We try our best to answer every call in a timely manner, but sometimes that's a bit of a stretch, even with everyone in the building trying to man the phones. In the evenings and overnight our staff may be one person and they definitely earn their money. Please don't think that this is one of those gripe posts, because it's not. It's just to give you a little insight as to how things go for us on those days.

When anyone here complains about the calls, management is quick to remind us that these callers depend on us. It says a lot for our company. We make school announcements what seems like thousands of times on the air, but even if someone won't turn on the radio or look at the website, they think of us first when they need information.

Most of our calls are from school agers hoping against hope that school is dismissed, but we get our fair share of adults. I assume these are from parents hoping that the kids won't be in the house all day and teachers hoping for the same thing as the kids.

Just for fun I'll describe some of the calls we receive and kind of categorize them:

"The Cute Little Kid": These sound so sweet, are exceptionally polite and it just melts you and you go into that "O.K. Sugar" mode. They're precious.

"The Little Snot That Needs His/Her Legs Striped": They quickly ask "Zay gawn be skoo 'day in Pike County?" and when you answer it's (click). No thank you, no goodbye...just (click---buzz). GRRRRRR!

"The Genius Adult That Thinks We Make the Go/No Go Decision":
Genius: Zay gawn be skoo' 'day in Pike County?
D.J.: Yes, there is.
Genius: Well let me tell you something. Our road's slicker than a minner's tail and I ain't sendin' my young'uns and if you fellers don't like it that's just too bad.
D.J.: We don't make that decision sir/mam. We just report what they tell us.
Genius: Well who makes it?
D.J.: the Transportation Director at the school system.
Genius: Well what's his number?
D.J.: I have no idea.
Genius: Well, that beats all, you all don't know nothin' ....(click--buzz)

"The Geographically Challenged":
Challenged: Zay gawn be skoo in Pike County?
D.J.: Yes there is.
Challenged: What about Johns Creek?
D.J.: The last time I checked Johns Creek was in Pike County.

"The Don't Know How To Ask"(these come on very bad days):
Don't Know: Do you have any information on schools today.
D.J.: Yes I do let me see; there's Pike County, Floyd County, Martin County, Mingo County, Buchanan County, Southern West Virginia Community College at Williamson, Southwest Virginia Community College at Richlands, Christ Central, Big Sandy Community College-Pikeville and Paintsville Campuses, Mountain Mission, National Business College. (You get my point)

Well, that's a little taste of life in radio. If you can, listen to the radio or check www.wdhr.com.
If you can't and really need to know right that minute, don't hesitate to call.

Stay tuned
Randy

The Expo Center

2006-12-31T15:39:00.000-05:00

I have heard a lot of comments about the Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center since its' opening, (from this point forward referred to as the Expo Center) both good and bad. I have a lot of trouble swallowing the bad, but I realize that noone or no organization bats a thousand. It's just that the Expo Center catches a lot of undeserving grief.

The reason I have trouble hearing the bad is because of the effort they have made to make it a first class venue. Yes, there have been glitches, but I think if you checked with any of the major venues in this country you would find that there are inherent problems with opening a new building.

Their choice of diversity in shows has been outstanding! Rock, Country, Kids, Family...it goes on and on...they have chosen wisely.

People have been quick to judge, sometimes negatively, about the operations of the Expo Center. Be it security, door open time, concessions or otherwise, a lot of negative comments have been made. Folks, Rome wasn't buit in a day. SMG, the management company, runs some of the biggest and most notable venues in the country, but new buildings and new markets always require a "feeling out and learning process" and this one is no exception. A lot of money was spent to build this arena, but it is a learning process for both SMG and the Expo Center. They have done an outstanding job thus far and it seems to only get better!

If you have a beef, or a suggestion, go to the web site www.eastkyexpo.com and everyone's e-mail address is listed. They will listen and respond respectfully if your request or comment is made in the same tone.

By the way, if you have comments or questions for me you may always e-mail wdhr@wdhr.com and I will respond...respectfully. We're here for you and we don't take that lightly.

Sign the guest book

Stay tuned
Randy

Random Thoughts...Like I Ever Have Anything Different

2006-12-24T12:37:00.000-05:00

Welcome Back!

If you enjoy these posts, then I apologize for them being so few and far between, and if you don't enjoy them then it doesn't matter anyway. HA!

Like the headline says, these are just random thoughts as I sit here on Christmas Eve reflecting on the holidays and life in general.

Random thought #1.
Trooper Johnathan Leonard.

Doggone it all! The same age as my oldest son. It happened at Christmas time. I am good friends with several Troopers, Sergeants, Lieutenants and Captains and everyone of them, to a man, tell me what a fine boy he was. Boy? Yep, same age as my son; remember? I also know Eugene Sisco, Jr. He's always been courteous, kind and friendly. What brings two fine people together in such a horrible tragedy? What brings them to the wrong place at the wrong time? Don't know. God bless all!

Random thought #2.
The weather.

My buddy, Peter Girouard, says there's a price to pay for all the nice weather. I say "at Christmas time this is not nice weather!" We need a few snow dabs (sic) flying in the air! So, maybe, just maybe, this is not nice weather and we don't have a price to pay. PHHHHWWWWTT! Peter Girouard.

Random thought #3.
Sick.

Dadburnit, everybody I know, it seems, has been sick for a month. (The weather?) I dunno. I started out about 3 weeks ago with a respiratory thing, then it was the stomach virus, and now this week the coughing, wheezing and the respiratory thing AGAIN. There have been numerous people here at EKB who have been sick including my boss, Keith, who has been sicker than I have ever seen him. A physician friend of mine speculates that the warm weather causes the viruses and bacteria to grow muscles instead of dying off as they normally would in cold weather. Maybe we're paying the price now instead of later Peter. PHHHHWWWWTT! on you.

Random thought #4.
The past and the future.

It has been my distinct pleasure to have had Keith Casebolt as my General Manager since August, 1999. (That's not sucking up. He doesn't read this thing because he doesn't know how to turn a computer on). Every year at this time we have looked back and talked about how we could have predicted our successes and failures. No way! We have tried to enter each year with a well oiled plan for success, and thank God, we have been successful, but we have had setbacks as well. When we succeed, a certain amount of it has to be attributed to planning. When we fail, maybe it's fate or maybe we didn't plan well enough. Whatever it is, if we plan for success we will succeed to a degree as fate will allow; and if we plan to learn from the setbacks and it hardens our desire to succeed...then that becomes a success also. Plan to succeed and plan to make that which seems a setback at the moment work in your favor. It can only be called a success.

God Bless!
Stay tuned.
Randy

Christmas Party For The Needy

2006-12-12T14:51:00.000-05:00

Welcome back.

Sunday, December 17th marks the 30th renewal of the annual "Christmas Party for the Needy" staged by Marlow Tackett. This event garners a lot of support from a lot of people, and draws skepticism from others.

I don't suppose being skeptical is all-in-all a bad thing. After all, without it, the Watergate Scandal would not have been exposed and we would still believe the world is flat. Certain skeptics question every club, civic organization, charity, fundraiser, and company on the planet Earth, and in the end maybe that's what keeps things on the up and up to a degree. I am skeptical in some instances, but overall I'm just naive enough to take things at face value, especially if I believe the good outweighs the bad, assuming there is any bad.

My boss, Keith Casebolt, has a way of stating facts when he is absolutely, positively, unquestionably sure, that what he is stating is the truth. He says, "Here's what I know". The "know" meaning it is a profound truth.

Here's what I know about Marlow's party for the needy:
1) It has helped thousands of needy people...thousands...through the years. Families, little children who otherwise would not have had a Christmas, nursing home patients and those in despair have benefitted.

2) I have been there more times than I care to count, and I will be there this year, and I have seen the faces and I have heard the thank yous and I know it's needed.

3) People always need help. Marlow never declines as long as he has the resources to do so. Year round, it doesn't matter. If it's someone he finds scrounging through a dumpster in mid July, he'll give money if he has it. If it's a family burned or flooded out and he has the furniture and appliances, he'll give it to them.

4) HE NEEDS HELP THIS YEAR! BADLY!

The party was late getting started this year; you know the story. I do not want to hear the skepticism! I'm picturing the face of a little child, not a dang court battle. The folks from Food City stepped up the to the plate and donated a building to use. East Kentucky Broadcasting has donated thousands of dollars in advertising and the items are rolling in, but more, much more is needed.

One of the most generous contributors to this event passed away this year and left a big void. That's why we need to step it up. If you can find it in your heart, please help. Give canned food, new or used toys, old or new clothes, old or new appliances, anything a needy person can use.

If you are skeptical that's fine. There is one sure fired way to be sure you're not being duped if you'd like to help and are...skeptical. Buy what you will, donate what you will and go the former Food City location in the Town and Country shopping center on Sunday December 17 at 12 noon. Take whatever it is you'd like give and put it in the hand of any person you deem worthy. You be the judge, you pick somebody. It won't be taken from them and noone involved with Marlow or the party will be offended. They'll be elated!

Stay tuned
Randy

HELLO EVERYBODY!

2006-12-02T13:51:00.000-05:00

It's good to be back again! I have received a bunch of e-mails as a result of the last post and I really appreciate your response. I have answered all of the questions with personal e-mails and will continue to do so.

One of the things that comes to mind as I read your questions is how none of them have been to complain about what we do. With my tenure in this business I realize that whatever you do, you don't please everyone. Whether it's the music, the talk, the public service announcements...whatever... someone has a bone to pick. I am not naive enough to believe that everyone who listens absolutely enjoys every element of the show, but I know a lot of people DO listen and stay with us through the good and the bad.

We try not to be offensive. We try to give you the things that you can talk about around the water cooler(yes, that's a cliche), but we don't choose to go as far as to give you reason to be offended. In our "Randy's Skewed News" we try to make a mockery of the stories that the entertainment industry keeps throwing out as if it made a difference in our everyday lives. When we talk about the Britney Spears, the Paris Hiltons, the Michael Jacksons of the world, we are hoping to make you realize that this stuff is such horse#$&*^* when it comes to everyday life.

Here at home, we need to concentrate on UNITE, Westcare, H.O.P.E, the Domestic Abuse Shelter, Judi's Place for Kids, and many others. We do not need to concentrate on what movie star is dating what movie star and who's impregnating whom. I know people need an escape, but if we do not pay attention, the monsters out there will comsume us.

I sat with a group of people at lunch this week who were looking over one of those "Entertainment" magazines. They were talking about who looked fat and who looked thin, who had looked best in their last movie and what they looked like now. They were very well versed in these star's lives and who they were. One of these people had young teenage children, two had grade school children and one is newly married (a couple of years). NOT ONE OF THEM could tell me about UNITE, the next meeting, the efforts in their child's school or whom they could contact if they had a problem in their home. (1-800-368-6483) That's 1-800-Do-Unite.

There's nothing wrong with enjoying music or entertainment. We'll do our best to give you all the information avialable on your favorite Country Music Artists, where you can find the best deals for your money, and more of those things that allow you to escacpe for a few minutes, but for goodness sakes, KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL!

Stay Tuned
Randy

Questions?

2006-11-18T12:05:00.000-05:00

Welcome back!

I mentioned in my first post here on the blog that people are curious about radio stations and how things work. When I'm out in public I get a lot of questions about the various facets of radio broadcasting; technical questions (I'm weak there), questions about personalities, how we pick the music, how we do remote broadcasts, how stations are licensed etc.

Since I'm new at this blog thing maybe the best use would be to try and answer some of your questions. I have already answered the number one question I hear concerning "Maggard's Live", but I'm sure there are more. If you have questions, send me an e-mail and I will do my best to answer your query. If it's a technical question I'll talk to our chief engineer Paul Manuel. If it's about the business in general I should be able to come up with some sort of layman's answer to satisy your curiosity. Send your e-mail to wdhr@wdhr.com. That address comes straight to my desk and I will watch for your questions. Maybe it would catch my attention more if you would put BLOG in the subject line.

I will not limit the blog to just questions as every now and again I will have some subject to ramble on, but this might be fun.

Stay tuned
Randy

Maggard's Live!

2006-11-10T18:56:00.000-05:00

Hello There and Welcome!

Folks ask me a lot of questions about my job. People want to know how we decide what songs to play, how do we get those sports broadcasts on the air from a gymnasium, is Bobby McGee a real jailbird and who is he in real life, whatever happened to Opal Dawn, and all sorts of things. Since I was a little boy radio has fascinated me, as it does a lot of folks, obviously. Maybe we can use this blog to explain a lot of things about this business and answer some questions.

However, in this post I am going to explain some things related to the most frequent questions I hear; "who are those people on "Maggard's Furniture Live" with you, what do they look like, are they really warped, how do you decide what to talk about 3 days aweek?

Question #1; Who are thos people?

Answer: Belinda Maggard and her husband, Jim Stan, own Maggard's Furniture with locations in Paintsville and Harold. They are both Paintsville natives. I became acquainted with the Maggards when I returned to East Kentucky Broadcasting 10 years ago. Jim Stan's grandfather started the business, his father, Mark, took over and continued to build, then Jim Stan and Belinda took over and built even more. A very attractive lady, Belinda is the same in person as she is on the air; always happy, outgoing, and perky. She is a savvy business person and, more or less, handles the day to day business of Maggard's, while Jim Stan is the investment and numbers person, a very intelligent, forward thinking businessman. They are a very smart couple, and by recognizing each others strengths and applying them as a team, they have created a successful business. Belinda and Jim Stan are two of the kindest and most generous people I know.

Alan Burton is the owner of WKLW radio station (K-LITE 94.7) in Paintsville. He is a Paintsville native. I got to know Alan in the late 1960s when we were both young DJs. He worked in Paintsivlle and Prestonsburg and I worked mainly in Pikeville. It's much the same today as it was then, you get to know the other people in the business in your market. Alan was one of the original staff when WDHR went on the air in 1973 and lived in Pikeville for a few years. Alan aspired to own his own station and has accomplished that, I admire him greatly. He is also a member of the Kentucky Broadcasters Association Board of Directors. We've been buddies a long time.

Ron Smith is also a longtime radio guy. He worked here at WPKE in the 80s, where he was known as "Rondell Rock 'n Roll Smith", after he graduated from Morehead with a degree in radio broadcasting. A lot of us old guys still call him "Rock". Ron works the morning drive slot at WSIP in Paintsville and is a sales representative. I got to know him from his days here at East Kentucky Broadcasting and we've been buddies ever since. It may interest you to know that Ron's great-uncle (I think it's great, maybe it's uncle) was the legendary and beloved Congressman Carl D. Perkins.

Question #2; What do they look like? Here ya' go.

That's Alan and Belinda sitting down and me and Ron standing. Ron's holding a toy cellphone that Belinda bought him as a joke. He got his first real cellphone about a month ago.

Question #3; Are they really warped?

Yes.

Question #4; How do you decide what to talk about 3 days a week?

We don't decide. There's no plan. It's just like when you and a friend get together. You are comfortable with the people you're with and you just...talk. We once had a format, but the dog ate it.

Well, that's kind of the story behind "Maggard's Furniture Live". The show just had its 4th birthday and we're still chugging. I'll have to say, I probably look forward to the show a much as anything I do. All four of us are very busy, personally and professionally, but I think I can speak for all of us and say that Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings at 10:30 are 3 of the high points of our week.

Stay tuned

Randy

HOWDY!

2006-11-09T14:14:00.000-05:00

Hi there and welcome to the new blog!

I've never really fancied myself a writer, and after you read some of my ramblings you'll figure out why. This is an all new experience, so I hope you enjoy your time here. It'll be serious at times, funny at times and probably just some gobbledy-gook at others; if you know me personally then you understand why the gobbledy-gook will, more likely than not, be dominant. Another thing too, don't expect postings everyday. I wear a lot of hats here at WDHR and East Kentucky Broadcasting that take up bunches of my time, but if you check in here regularly you'll see new stuff.

Now on with the show!

As many of you know, my partner here in the "A.M. Asylum" is Peter Girouard. Peter is also the co-owner of a neat little business in Pikeville called "Ambience Gifts". "Ambience" is a cute little store that sells what-nots (he hates that term), candles, notions, brick-a-brack, smelly stuff, fru-fru food and...well...you know... stuff like that. Peter has scheduled, for the first time ever, a remote broadcast.

Of the 5 billion people that inhabit this planet, Peter has asked me to broadcast from his store. I've been doing this broadcast thing for a long time and I have done more remotes than I can count. I've been to car lots, motorcycle shops, grocery stores, restaurants, convenience stores, drug stores and about every other type of business you can imagine, I even broadcast a canoe race from the old Pikeville middle bridge one time, but never a store that I would describe as "cute". Asking me to describe "cute" is like asking a hog to sing "Bringing In The Sheaves" #173 in the Hymnal. If you tune in to this broadcast and hear glass breaking in the background, then you'd better come on down for some special discounts. Noone has ever described me as coordinated and graceful.

It will be interesting, to say the least, and if I didn't owe him 20 bucks I wouldn't go. He said he'd cancel the debt.

Stay tuned
Randy