Former radio columnist for the Seattle Times (1964-1989).
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Dave Ballard Returns To Seattle Radio @ KSEA FM
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I listened to Dave Ballard religiously to close my nights living in Anchorage in 1972-73 when I was the general manager of the Book Cache. I took a vinyl copy of “Reflections” with me when I left and have it still…along with many cassette copies I have had with me all these years. In the summer of 2024,I plan to go through Bellingham on my way back to Alasckan on a cruise. Will be able to hear him on the radio? get more copies of his works, and even meet him ?
Dave Ballard died sometime back in the 1980s.
Dave Ballard got the job at KSEA that was promised to me as a concession by Dick Dixon former VP and GM. I was two semesters from finishing college and Dixon asked me to come on full time as Operations Director. After speaking with my parents and my fiancee, we made the decision not to quit school. I was already work there on weekends and summer fill for both AM/FM. I graduated at the end of ’75 and was ready to start full time in January 1976. So after New Years I meet with Dixon and he said that Dave Ballard was hired instead of me. I was invited to continue weekends. Obviously I was upset that he broke a promise and walked out.
I walked across the street to KEZX. KEZX was just sold to Park Communications. Perfect timing for me and Park.
Ballard didn’t last long and a few month later he came into KEZX looking for work. I was the station manager and had the pleasure of telling him no.
I certainly remember Dave Ballard’s golden tones on KIXI in my youth. I also remember TOTALLY cracking up when someone on KJR — I don’t know who it was — did a spot-on impersonation of Ballard. But it wasn’t so much the mimicking of him that hit my funny bone, as it was the hilarious name the impersonator used that anyone who knows Seattle-area geography would understand — “Dave Burien.” 🙂