(The Radio Museum is grateful to Ron Underwood, former faculty member at Downey High School, and advisor to the school’s radio station, KDHS. Here’s where this story begins: Bob Pinheiro, Webmaster Emeritus of the Radio Museum, discovered a 1964 recording labeled “Knightime.” The program had audio about activities at Downey High. They are the Knights. We asked Ron for details.
He wrote back, and here is Ron’s backstory of “Knightime.”
“Yes, this program was called “Knightime. It was a fifteen-minute program highlighting Downey High activities, athletics, and student talents. The shows aired weekly on KBEE-AM 970.
They aired until 1972. (NOTE: 1972 was the year Ron Underwood transferred to Beyer High School.)
Interestingly, the program aired with the same title and the same format in the mid-1950s as well. Downey Speech teacher Edna Spelts organized and produced those shows through the efforts of her Advanced Speech class.
I was a part of these shows then as a student! Years later, when I returned to Downey as a teacher, I told the class about “Knightime” and they seemed eager to revive the show. So we did!
Furthermore, in the late 50s we added “Funny Paper Time” to our broadcasting efforts. This was a program where the students would read-with character voices and sound effects-from the Sunday comic section of The Modesto Bee. Our version of the comics also aired on KBEE…..In the late 60s we changed the name to KCEY Comics as the shows were moved over to KCEY in Turlock.
P.S. I sure do enjoy the Radio Museum web site.
I am looking forward to a visit to the new -in person- edition with one of my future trips to Modesto.
Keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
Ron Underwood”
Here is one of those programs. We are happy to present “Knightime,” from 1964, produced by the students of Downey High School, and heard on KBEE-AM 970:
One of the guests was Chuck Hughes, for many years, Coach of the Downey Football Knights. The stadium is named after him. KFIV-AM broadcast a number of their games.
