You Can Put Year # 46 in My Radio Book

It's hard to believe that 46 years ago this wide eyed radio wannabe sat behind the microphone for the first time. The radio station was KIEE in Harrisonville, Missouri in the Kansas City Metro area. I won't lie to you, I was scared to death when it became my turn to talk into that microphone.

I have always remembered how difficult it was to talk on the air, and I appreciate those who are a little intimidated by doing so when they join us on the air now.

KIEE (now KCFX in Kansas City) was a brand new station and I wanted that job more than anything else (other than playing for the Yankees). I pestered the owner, Arnie Wilson, numerous times about working for him and begged him to give me my first opportunity in radio. I showed up at his house several times during the building of the station just to get updates and let him know I was still interested. I came into the yet-to-be-built studios to "hang" around.

When it became time to hire people, I held my breath because there were several "experienced" announcers who had applied as well. Then Mr. Wilson called me and said he was going to give me a chance. I couldn't believe it. The daily radio practicing in my basement was about to become the real thing. July 21, 1974 will be a day I will always remember.

In the 46 years that have followed, I have done just about everything a guy in radio could do. I have gone from transmitter assistance to newscasting, from sports play-by-play to running a morning show. I have been the overnight guy to Program Director to Operations Manager to Sales Manager to General Manager in a career that is winding down to a close.

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The business has certainly changed since my first day on the air in 1974. The competition for my job and the digital world we live in now has made things interesting. It is a learning curve I have managed to be able to keep up with, although sometimes just enough to be dangerous.

I always get asked what's the one thing you have enjoyed doing the most in radio? It is a simple answer for me. Its the sports play-by-play. I don't do it anymore, but I loved every minute of it and I do miss it (although I do it in my head every time I am at a game). Every broadcast was different and I have been lucky to win a few awards for my play-by-play work, which means a lot to me. People don't have any idea how much work goes into a game broadcast to make it sound good, so I appreciate the work of the guys currently doing it.

With the world of radio always changing, I am amazed that I am still behind the microphone every day. I guess I consider myself a survivor in this crazy business and I have the listeners like you and Mr. Arnie Wilson (God rest his soul) to thank for that. How long will this ride last? I don't know, but I will know when the time comes to finally sign off. That day will soon be here!

Filed Under: Arnie Wilson, Jeff Dorsey, KIEE-FM

Categories: Articles, Events, History, Opinion