Originally posted November 28, 2018 — What do Robert Theodore Simon and country music legend Buck Owens have in common? Both were at Puyallup’s KAYE in 1958. Since those early days, a lot’s been said on several blogs/web sites about Bobby’s swinging door fortunes (or skills) in recycling some of the more than a dozen radio stations in his 30+ years in radio. But in all cases, he brought some of the most mellow, conversational skills to the airwaves. It would be great to feature multiple sound bites from Simon’s many career stops, which went to Pasco, Spokane, Seattle, Eugene, Portland, Indianapolis and back to Seattle-Tacoma.
But for this posting we’ll have to settle for three. First, KOL in December 1967. Second, 10 years later, at KZOK in September 1977, and third, one of Bobby’s airchecks from the ill-fated Braiker Radio Service * in November 1989. An added treat at the very end of the Braiker segment is a short bit from Burl Barer, who also was featured in those satellite ‘casts. Tragically, Simon died at age 65 in a highway crash in November, 2002. This full combined aircheck runs about 5:20. *To learn what happened to Braiker Radio Services, see: burlbarer.net (The Company Men)
Ron DeHart is a former newspaper and broadcast journalist and a retired Public Affairs Officer from both the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Navy/Naval Reserve. His historical accounts of Pacific Northwest broadcasting are published by Puget Sound Media.
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