MRM – What year were you with KDHS?
ADA- I was with KDHS my sophomore through senior years (1971-1974). It’s all quite a blur, I had to look at the year books to recall.
MRM – What did you do on KDHS?
ADA – I produced two different musical shows, one classical. My parent’s record collection was raided to gather the material for this show. Not sure if royalties are due after all of these years. The record liners were used as scripts. My goal was to make it informative without being boring. Not sure how well that was achieved. My other production was a more or less contemporary pop show. Tracks were chosen from the KDHS files and also from my private collection like Peter Paul and Mary, Mary Travers, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Simon and Garfunkel. Occasionally I’d “mix it up” with a little with Creedence Clearwater Revival.
MRM – How did KDHS affect your career decisions?
ADA – I was Station Secretary during 1972 and 1973 and Public Relations (PR) Director during 1973 and 1974, learning more by what I didn’t accomplish than what I did. There’s a lot of work that goes into all aspects of broadcasting. As I look back on it I’m sure I could have put in more effort. That lesson about putting in the work really made me a better student and employee later.
The PR job was basically a sales job and was really difficult for me. I doubt I was as successful in raising funds for KDHS as I could have been. It became apparent to me that, as outgoing as I was, I did not like approaching people I didn’t know about anything, let alone asking for donations.
MRM – What is a favorite memory of KDHS?
ADA – I remember sitting in the control booth above the stadium and listening to Sid Silveria’s rapid play by play of football games. To me, it was so impressive that he could take all that action from the field and transform it into something a person could visualize as they listened to it. My job was handling the stats for Sid.
MRM – How did KDHS help you as you entered into a career?
ADA – Ron Ham was usually my engineer. He was meticulous and we made a good team because he only wanted to do the tech stuff and I was the “on air talent,” a term which I use loosely. My interest in doing the engineering part of radio met with some difficulties when it came to passing the Federal Communications Commission’s Third Class Radiotelephone exam. The math and I did not agree. I was able to obtain a limited certificate. That made my Dad proud for some reason.
While I can’t point to anything specific about how the KDHS experience shaped my future, it comes up in conversations randomly at times and folks will ask about it. The lessons were subtle, especially about follow through, so it was valuable to me.
MRM – Any individuals who stand out as mentors or inspirational in getting you started?
ADA – The driving force of the whole operation at KDHS, was our instructor/Advisor Burt Vasche. He was one of those people that you felt good around. He was always like Mary Poppins, kind but firm. You didn’t want to disappoint him.
MRM – Anything else you would like to share about KDHS?
ADA – Ultimately, for me, being a part of KDHS was a fun activity and a safe way for me to “perform” on air, even if it was just spinning records.
