It was 1966. I was 16 years old, and top rated music station KHJ/930 AM Los Angeles California was doing a “Cash Call” contest. The cash prize, which grew larger at every incorrect answer, had just been won the previous hour, so it went back to a small amount ($10). I guessed wrong, and got the
consolation prize, which I wanted anyway. It was a souvenir KHJ Boss Radio record album, with pics of the KHJ jocks including Robert W Morgan, The Real
Don Steele, and twelve songs from 1965 including “Gloria” by Van Morrison, Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe”, and Barry McGuire’s “Eve Of Destruction”.
For someone who wanted to get into radio, this was better than winning the cash. Unfortunately, when I moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1970 for my first radio gig, my album collection and other stuff I left at home, was given to the Salvation Army.
Now, fast forward to 1972. The tables were turned. I was 22 and just started working at top 40 radio station, KFIV, Modesto. We were giving away a Yamaha motorbike. We took one caller every four hours to try and win it. The program director thought we could milk the contest for at least a couple of weeks. I had a winner the first evening of the contest. Program director was upset. Management was upset. And I thought I was going to get fired. The other more ‘seasoned’ jocks, thought it was funny. Especially when I put “Jane”, the winner, live on the air to congratulate her. After a few questions about how she felt winning a motorcycle, I asked if I could be the first one to ride with her. She answered with a very loud “NO!” I hit the radio station jingle and went straight to music.
Station management realized the contest needed to be reworked. Fortunately, the sales department got us a second motorbike. For this contest, we played the sound effect of a motorcycle throughout the day. We took the first caller’s name and phone number. All the contestants were then put into a barrel. After taking entries for a month or so, we had an on-air drawing for the “big” winner. This time around, the program director was happy. Management was happy. The advertiser was happy. And I continued working there for the next five years. But I never did get that ride on her new motorcycle.
(However, Jay DID get to sing at a piano bar):
(And, he took a lot of requests)
I listened to and worked with Dennis Brougher, (J. Michael Stevens), at the now defunct: AM-1570: KPRO-Riverside, California. The station was broadcasting a brokered religious format by the time the station went silent in August 2018. He was a pros’ pro and had a wonderful sense of humor. The station tried to balance its books and the late general manager Valorie Stitely and Dennis tried to hold it together; but, in the end, the property on which the radio station sat, was more valuable to the “mom-and-pop owners” than an Inland Empire radio legacy of sixty-one years.
Art Uvaas, Thank you for the kind words and thoughts. You are a walking radio encyclopedia. Wishing you all the best. From your fellow Broadcast Buddy, Denny Brougher (KWDJ DJ-92, KPRO 1570AM) aka J. Michael Stevens (KYOS 1480AM, KFIV 1360AM), aka The Bird!
I remember calling K-5 hotline on Sunday Nights just to hear my voice on the radio. Loved that show!!
Wow, I am finding so many gold memories on this website, I definitely remember KFIV. We did not live far from that radio station.
There was a contest on that station, it was a special date with your favorite disc jockey, and I won. I was only 12 years old, and I won that contest.
And, I used to walk down to KFIV studio, I honestly thought the Beatles were playing live at that radio station. I would stand outside and hope to meet them. What a memory. This is so much fun!
I believe the dish jockey with whom I had a date, as a 12-year-old girl, was Nelson Eddie? I might be wrong, but I remember winning that contest.
Sagi, Radio stations were all about making fond memories, and we’re glad KFIV gave you a few. Sixty years ago KFIV was situated in a peach orchard, and later, even though it never moved, it was inside the city limits and part of a Modesto suburb. You’re right about Nelson Eddy, he was one of KFIV’s best Top-40 DJs. He had a clear, resonating voice, and best of all it was friendly. One of his catch phrases was “Hey there, Hi there, Ho there, this is the Nelson Eddy Show.” Back then ‘Date a Disc Jockey’ contests were pretty popular. We’re glad you were a winner. We’d like to point out that it was a highly conservative era, and your date with Nelson was certainly well chaperoned. Thanks for sharing the memory. Rick Myers, Modesto Radio Museum President and past K-5 DJ.
Yes, but what if the DJ was ugly?
Hi Jim. To answer your question, we had stand-ins for ugly DJs. Four or five of them on standby waiting to step in if needed.