Sandy Hopkins

[Quint_S_Henschel]

I grew up listening to KLIF when it was peaking in Dallas. I watched with great interest as KVIL took the Gordon McLendon formula to unprecedented heights. As a new poster on this board, I have read numerous opinions about the state of radio, and Dallas radio in particular. I would like to offer up an opinion that I have carried around for nearly 20 years.

I think a number of formulas, and a great many air personalities, owe their livelihood to a tragic event that sent KVIL stumbling for a bit: the sudden death of Ron Chapman's producer, Sandy Hopkins. I was listening the day that she failed to show up for work and it was like all the air had been sucked out of the Capital Bank building @ Mockingbird and Central.

I can remember the story that was in the paper a day or two later. Ron was obviously quite stricken by the loss of not only his producer, but a good friend: " Every day, the first thing she and I would do, was hug." He paid homage to this wonderful person who managed to put up with his legendary "creative genius" and also kept him grounded. Listening to her pull things out of her guests on Dusty Attics was a treasure.

My alarm clock went off at 525AM so I could hear Ron and everybody on the morning show <Suzie, Warren, Mark, Ray, Andy, Jonathan et al> toss off lines about the previous days news and events. Just a little low key banter, but gaining intensity...it would build up to that magical place, each and every weekday morning when you just knew that your dial was set to the right frequency because coming out of a short break you would hear one legend introduce another: " Straight up, 6 o'clock in the morning now, on KVIL-Highland Park, KVIL-FM-Highland Park-Dallas-Fort Worth!"

After Sandy passed away, Ron used to play the most morose music during the 6 o'clock hour. I remember that he used to play "Lady in Red" by Chris DeBurgh and "I'll Still Be Loving You" by Restless Heart until it seemed <to my mind, anyway> he was going to grieve himself into retirement.

If memory serves, Jody Dean was doing overnights <and kicking everyone else's butts, thoroughly> but there were no openings for years at KVIL.

I'm trying to remember if Jody replaced Sandy, or if Lynne Haley was producer, then Jody came aboard after she split. Either way, the entire station seemed to be drifting and somewhat purposeless for months. I think it allowed Magic and Q102 and K104 to begin raiding the morning show for listeners. And when the morning show stubbed its toe, even Larry Dixon screamed a little.

There are those who would say it was Dorsey landing at KSCS, or Tom the Flyjock that began the help loosen the grip KVIL had on North Texas radio listenership after the mid-1980s. I think it was the loss of the morning show's compass: Sandy Hopkins.

Every single radio station that wants to dominate this market should rack the entire set of jingles that KVIL used in their heyday, and listen to each and every positioning statement those jingles stood for.

My three favorites:

"Never rest in the shade, never say you've got it made, when you're leading the parade...K-V-I-L!"

"Whether in Fort Worth or Dallas, Stereo 1-oh-three, we're the one one hears....K-V-I-L, we've got you by the ears!"

and of course: "It's a shame whats happened to radio, but they can't afford to do it anymore. its a shame they can't hire a section of brass..."

 

[Musicradio]

Thanks for sharing those memories!

 

[Sparkomatic]

Very interesting and informative post. Thanks for that.

One thing, though. If you're a "new" poster, why does your profile show over 1500 posts?

 

[stinker]

> I grew up listening to KLIF when it was peaking in Dallas.
> I watched with great interest as KVIL took the Gordon
> McLendon formula to unprecedented heights. As a new poster
> on this board, I have read numerous opinions about the state
> of radio, and Dallas radio in particular. I would like to
> offer up an opinion that I have carried around for nearly 20
> years.
>
> I think a number of formulas, and a great many air
> personalities, owe their livelihood to a tragic event that
> sent KVIL stumbling for a bit: the sudden death of Ron
> Chapman's producer, Sandy Hopkins. I was listening the day
> that she failed to show up for work and it was like all the
> air had been sucked out of the Capital Bank building @
> Mockingbird and Central.
>
> I can remember the story that was in the paper a day or two
> later. Ron was obviously quite stricken by the loss of not
> only his producer, but a good friend: " Every day, the
> first thing she and I would do, was hug." He paid homage to
> this wonderful person who managed to put up with his
> legendary "creative genius" and also kept him grounded.
> Listening to her pull things out of her guests on Dusty
> Attics was a treasure.
>
> My alarm clock went off at 525AM so I could hear Ron and
> everybody on the morning show toss off lines about the
> previous days news and events. Just a little low key
> banter, but gaining intensity...it would build up to that
> magical place, each and every weekday morning when you just
> knew that your dial was set to the right frequency because
> coming out of a short break you would hear one legend
> introduce another: " Straight up, 6 o'clock in the morning
> now, on KVIL-Highland Park, KVIL-FM-Highland
> Park-Dallas-Fort Worth!"
>
> After Sandy passed away, Ron used to play the most morose
> music during the 6 o'clock hour. I remember that he used to
> play "Lady in Red" by Chris DeBurgh and "I'll Still Be
> Loving You" by Restless Heart until it seemed he was going
> to grieve himself into retirement.
>
> If memory serves, Jody Dean was doing overnights but there
> were no openings for years at KVIL.
>
> I'm trying to remember if Jody replaced Sandy, or if Lynne
> Haley was producer, then Jody came aboard after she split.
> Either way, the entire station seemed to be drifting and
> somewhat purposeless for months. I think it allowed Magic
> and Q102 and K104 to begin raiding the morning show for
> listeners. And when the morning show stubbed its toe, even
> Larry Dixon screamed a little.
>
> There are those who would say it was Dorsey landing at KSCS,
> or Tom the Flyjock that began the help loosen the grip KVIL
> had on North Texas radio listenership after the mid-1980s.
> I think it was the loss of the morning show's compass: Sandy
> Hopkins.
>
> Every single radio station that wants to dominate this
> market should rack the entire set of jingles that KVIL used
> in their heyday, and listen to each and every positioning
> statement those jingles stood for.
>
> My three favorites:
>
> "Never rest in the shade, never say you've got it made, when
> you're leading the parade...K-V-I-L!"
>
> "Whether in Fort Worth or Dallas, Stereo 1-oh-three, we're
> the one one hears....K-V-I-L, we've got you by the ears!"
>
> and of course: "It's a shame whats happened to radio, but
> they can't afford to do it anymore. its a shame they can't
> hire a section of brass..."
>


your post was a good read and i remember very well these things you mentioned.

Clearly, they had one "by the ears"

Let me add, however, that even before Sandy Hopkins passed, Ron would commonly play a rather "obtuse" song to begin the 6 o'clock hour. (but, not everyday)..
A lot of the times it would have something to do with a current event, etc.

Sometimes it may have been Willie Nelson or Jennifer Holiday or Restless Heart.

Ron is a big fan of lyrics in music and most of these songs fit that criteria..

Anybody remember the late nite roundtable interview with Barry Manilow after his concert one nite?

 

[DoogieDown]

> Anybody remember the late nite roundtable interview with
> Barry Manilow after his concert one nite?

I actually came across that entire interview on reel-to-reel in the archives Ron brought to KLUV during his final months on the air. It was a really good interview. I remember telling him that I have absolutely ZERO interest in Barry Manilow, but somehow I found myself listening to the whole damned interview. Ha!

 

[abcdj]

Interesting comments.

As for the "6:02 song" (as it was called), it was one chosen every morning to roll out of "Good Morning America How Are You" with something that defined that particular moment for that particular day and depended most on the mood of the moment and day.

As for Sandi Hopkins, I think you should consult someone from the old days of KVIL for the true inside story of that particular situation.

 

[Jimprewitt1954]

> Very interesting and informative post. Thanks for that.
>
> One thing, though. If you're a "new" poster, why does your
> profile show over 1500 posts?




HAHAHAHA...GOOD ONE!!!!
>
<P ID="signature">______________
Lead, follow or get out of the way...

And remember, the early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

</P>

 

[dean1]

What happened.

The week prior to Sandy's death, there was a shakeup at KVIL.

Music Director Chuck Rhodes had been offered a job with Jimmy Bowen in Nashville. That opened up the MD's position. The job was perfect for Sandy. It would have been a great promotion - but what no one really grasped was that Sandy felt she had somehow failed Ron as his producer.

At the same time, I was doing the 7-11 shift - and failing miserably. It was decided that I would be taken off the air and moved to mornings, where I would replace Sandy. As Ron told me at our Wednesday meeting "You're off the marquee, and off the A-Team." I was crushed, and went home thinking I'd failed too. I had no clue of the opportunity before me.

The following Friday, the station staff was gathered together and the changes were announced. There were others, but I don't recall them. By that time, I'd pumped myself up so much out of resentment and pride that I walked into 5307 Mockingbird and told everyone who'd listen how great I was going to do at Sandy's old job. I was so full of myself that I never noticed Sandy's crestfallen expression, and late in the day someone had the grace to tell me what an ass I was making of myself. Sandy and I met in the production room we called "the Auditorium"...and I squeezed out an apology. She teared up, forgave me, hugged me...and we all went home for the weekend. She loved to hug. Hers was a tender heart.

The next Monday morning, my phone rang around 9. It was Andy McCollum, if memory serves - but it might have been Bob Morrison. The changes weren't to take effect for another few weeks, so the call was odd. And then I got the news. Sandy hadn't come in that day, and they'd sent her best friend Chuck over to check on her. Chuck found her where she'd apparently laid down to sleep on Friday night. It was obvious that she'd been dead since then. Congenital heart defect. Hereditary. Not even 40.

I did the portrait for Sandy's funeral. It stood by her casket, which was closed. Ron delivered her eulogy. It was one of three times I've seen Ron cry in the 25 years I've known him. He more than cried. He wept. Unashamedly. We all did.

I think of Sandy often, and still run across tape boxes, scripts, or cassettes bearing her inimitable handwriting. And I think of two things every time her pleasant memory returns. What if she'd lived to take that new role? There might never have been the KVIL missteps of the 90's, and KVIL might never have become what it now is. Ron might have retired from there. She was that good, that creative, that in-touch, and that influential.

And the other thing?

What if the pain I added was what pushed her heart too far?

I'm still dealing with that thought 20 years later. And hopefully, learning from it. "Special Thanks", Sandy. By Rupert Holmes. You're still missed.

Jody







> Thanks for sharing those memories!
>

 

[KPLEXCOMPLEX]

Re: What happened.

> The week prior to Sandy's death, there was a shakeup at
> KVIL.
>
> Music Director Chuck Rhodes had been offered a job with
> Jimmy Bowen in Nashville. That opened up the MD's position.
> The job was perfect for Sandy. It would have been a great
> promotion - but what no one really grasped was that Sandy
> felt she had somehow failed Ron as his producer.
>
> At the same time, I was doing the 7-11 shift - and failing
> miserably. It was decided that I would be taken off the air
> and moved to mornings, where I would replace Sandy. As Ron
> told me at our Wednesday meeting "You're off the marquee,
> and off the A-Team." I was crushed, and went home thinking
> I'd failed too. I had no clue of the opportunity before me.
>
>
> The following Friday, the station staff was gathered
> together and the changes were announced. There were others,
> but I don't recall them. By that time, I'd pumped myself up
> so much out of resentment and pride that I walked into 5307
> Mockingbird and told everyone who'd listen how great I was
> going to do at Sandy's old job. I was so full of myself that
> I never noticed Sandy's crestfallen expression, and late in
> the day someone had the grace to tell me what an ass I was
> making of myself. Sandy and I met in the production room we
> called "the Auditorium"...and I squeezed out an apology. She
> teared up, forgave me, hugged me...and we all went home for
> the weekend. She loved to hug. Hers was a tender heart.
>
> The next Monday morning, my phone rang around 9. It was Andy
> McCollum, if memory serves - but it might have been Bob
> Morrison. The changes weren't to take effect for another few
> weeks, so the call was odd. And then I got the news. Sandy
> hadn't come in that day, and they'd sent her best friend
> Chuck over to check on her. Chuck found her where she'd
> apparently laid down to sleep on Friday night. It was
> obvious that she'd been dead since then. Congenital heart
> defect. Hereditary. Not even 40.
>
> I did the portrait for Sandy's funeral. It stood by her
> casket, which was closed. Ron delivered her eulogy. It was
> one of three times I've seen Ron cry in the 25 years I've
> known him. He more than cried. He wept. Unashamedly. We all
> did.
>
> I think of Sandy often, and still run across tape boxes,
> scripts, or cassettes bearing her inimitable handwriting.
> And I think of two things every time her pleasant memory
> returns. What if she'd lived to take that new role? There
> might never have been the KVIL missteps of the 90's, and
> KVIL might never have become what it now is. Ron might have
> retired from there. She was that good, that creative, that
> in-touch, and that influential.
>
> And the other thing?
>
> What if the pain I added was what pushed her heart too far?
>
> I'm still dealing with that thought 20 years later. And
> hopefully, learning from it. "Special Thanks", Sandy. By
> Rupert Holmes. You're still missed.
>
> Jody
WOW Jody.That is a very special memory you shared,thanks. I hope certain ones who read what you expressed learn from it. They are the type who put ego before substance,and belittle co-workers,even threatening them. You have learned a painful lesson. God Bless you.

 

[Davradio]

Re: What happened.

Jody:

As I sit here, reading your words, and remember Sandy, as we all have with this thread, I cannot even imagine, the sense of lost that you and the staff felt that faithful day.

I know as a listener-- I was stunned, much like everyone else, to hear the news of a young vibrate woman, who was lost at such an early age.

I didn't get into radio until my late 20's... so I missed the fun and the joy of getting in on the ground floors of stations to see them blossom with great talent that was cultivated by people that YOU have had the chance to work with.

The memories that you shared are precious, and I am guessing at times painful, but truth be told... I am sure that every day you are a stronger person for just the mere fact of knowing Sandy and those like her, and as someone mentioned earlier, the lessons that you learned, well those are the ones that you keep learning every day!

Thank you for sharing, and thank you for bringing back those warm memories of a great soul! Sandy-- I am sure that if there IS a ROCK-N-ROLL heaven... you've got the best seat in the house!

Just a thought!


> The week prior to Sandy's death, there was a shakeup at
> KVIL.
>
> Music Director Chuck Rhodes had been offered a job with
> Jimmy Bowen in Nashville. That opened up the MD's position.
> The job was perfect for Sandy. It would have been a great
> promotion - but what no one really grasped was that Sandy
> felt she had somehow failed Ron as his producer.
>
> At the same time, I was doing the 7-11 shift - and failing
> miserably. It was decided that I would be taken off the air
> and moved to mornings, where I would replace Sandy. As Ron
> told me at our Wednesday meeting "You're off the marquee,
> and off the A-Team." I was crushed, and went home thinking
> I'd failed too. I had no clue of the opportunity before me.
>
>
> The following Friday, the station staff was gathered
> together and the changes were announced. There were others,
> but I don't recall them. By that time, I'd pumped myself up
> so much out of resentment and pride that I walked into 5307
> Mockingbird and told everyone who'd listen how great I was
> going to do at Sandy's old job. I was so full of myself that
> I never noticed Sandy's crestfallen expression, and late in
> the day someone had the grace to tell me what an ass I was
> making of myself. Sandy and I met in the production room we
> called "the Auditorium"...and I squeezed out an apology. She
> teared up, forgave me, hugged me...and we all went home for
> the weekend. She loved to hug. Hers was a tender heart.
>
> The next Monday morning, my phone rang around 9. It was Andy
> McCollum, if memory serves - but it might have been Bob
> Morrison. The changes weren't to take effect for another few
> weeks, so the call was odd. And then I got the news. Sandy
> hadn't come in that day, and they'd sent her best friend
> Chuck over to check on her. Chuck found her where she'd
> apparently laid down to sleep on Friday night. It was
> obvious that she'd been dead since then. Congenital heart
> defect. Hereditary. Not even 40.
>
> I did the portrait for Sandy's funeral. It stood by her
> casket, which was closed. Ron delivered her eulogy. It was
> one of three times I've seen Ron cry in the 25 years I've
> known him. He more than cried. He wept. Unashamedly. We all
> did.
>
> I think of Sandy often, and still run across tape boxes,
> scripts, or cassettes bearing her inimitable handwriting.
> And I think of two things every time her pleasant memory
> returns. What if she'd lived to take that new role? There
> might never have been the KVIL missteps of the 90's, and
> KVIL might never have become what it now is. Ron might have
> retired from there. She was that good, that creative, that
> in-touch, and that influential.
>
> And the other thing?
>
> What if the pain I added was what pushed her heart too far?
>
> I'm still dealing with that thought 20 years later. And
> hopefully, learning from it. "Special Thanks", Sandy. By
> Rupert Holmes. You're still missed.
>
> Jody
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Thanks for sharing those memories!
> >
>
<P ID="signature">______________
Dave Michaels
Davradio Productions
Dallas, Texas</P>

 

[EARCANDY]

Re: What happened.

> The week prior to Sandy's death, there was a shakeup at
> KVIL.
>
> Music Director Chuck Rhodes had been offered a job with
> Jimmy Bowen in Nashville. That opened up the MD's position.
> The job was perfect for Sandy. It would have been a great
> promotion - but what no one really grasped was that Sandy
> felt she had somehow failed Ron as his producer.
>
> At the same time, I was doing the 7-11 shift - and failing
> miserably. It was decided that I would be taken off the air
> and moved to mornings, where I would replace Sandy. As Ron
> told me at our Wednesday meeting "You're off the marquee,
> and off the A-Team." I was crushed, and went home thinking
> I'd failed too. I had no clue of the opportunity before me.
>
>
> The following Friday, the station staff was gathered
> together and the changes were announced. There were others,
> but I don't recall them. By that time, I'd pumped myself up
> so much out of resentment and pride that I walked into 5307
> Mockingbird and told everyone who'd listen how great I was
> going to do at Sandy's old job. I was so full of myself that
> I never noticed Sandy's crestfallen expression, and late in
> the day someone had the grace to tell me what an ass I was
> making of myself. Sandy and I met in the production room we
> called "the Auditorium"...and I squeezed out an apology. She
> teared up, forgave me, hugged me...and we all went home for
> the weekend. She loved to hug. Hers was a tender heart.
>
> The next Monday morning, my phone rang around 9. It was Andy
> McCollum, if memory serves - but it might have been Bob
> Morrison. The changes weren't to take effect for another few
> weeks, so the call was odd. And then I got the news. Sandy
> hadn't come in that day, and they'd sent her best friend
> Chuck over to check on her. Chuck found her where she'd
> apparently laid down to sleep on Friday night. It was
> obvious that she'd been dead since then. Congenital heart
> defect. Hereditary. Not even 40.
>
> I did the portrait for Sandy's funeral. It stood by her
> casket, which was closed. Ron delivered her eulogy. It was
> one of three times I've seen Ron cry in the 25 years I've
> known him. He more than cried. He wept. Unashamedly. We all
> did.
>
> I think of Sandy often, and still run across tape boxes,
> scripts, or cassettes bearing her inimitable handwriting.
> And I think of two things every time her pleasant memory
> returns. What if she'd lived to take that new role? There
> might never have been the KVIL missteps of the 90's, and
> KVIL might never have become what it now is. Ron might have
> retired from there. She was that good, that creative, that
> in-touch, and that influential.
>
> And the other thing?
>
> What if the pain I added was what pushed her heart too far?
>
> I'm still dealing with that thought 20 years later. And
> hopefully, learning from it. "Special Thanks", Sandy. By
> Rupert Holmes. You're still missed.
>
> Jody
>
>
>


Thank you so much for sharing your story Jody. Not only a good
bit of history, it offers a great message as well.
Remember though, through His mercy, it is no longer your burden to carry.

 

[stinker]

Re: What happened.

>
>
> I think of Sandy often, and still run across tape boxes,
> scripts, or cassettes bearing her inimitable handwriting.
> And I think of two things every time her pleasant memory
> returns. What if she'd lived to take that new role? There
> might never have been the KVIL missteps of the 90's, and
> KVIL might never have become what it now is. Ron might have
> retired from there. She was that good, that creative, that
> in-touch, and that influential.
>
> And the other thing?
>
> What if the pain I added was what pushed her heart too far?
>
> I'm still dealing with that thought 20 years later. And
> hopefully, learning from it. "Special Thanks", Sandy. By
> Rupert Holmes. You're still missed.
>
>



>
> Jody,

> As a listener, i too, still think of Sandy and her small little voice,
How she was about the only one who could needle Ron and get away with it,
the Dusty Attics interviews, and her crazy memory for the most obtuse things--- She knew when Charles Schultz's birthday was, but didn't know her own zip code...

I also remember YOUR show on the nite of Sandy's passing. Your were telling listeners how Sandy died of heart failure, then you said "no, that can't be right, as her heart never failed anyone...."

some things we just never forget...

Don't be too hard on yourself.

thanks for sharing your memories..

 

[Quint_S_Henschel]

> > Very interesting and informative post. Thanks for that.
> >
> > One thing, though. If you're a "new" poster, why does
> your
> > profile show over 1500 posts?
>
>
>
>
> HAHAHAHA...GOOD ONE!!!!
> >
>
It should show 1 or two posts, tops. I found this web site on 2/26/06. Why it would show 1500 posts is beyond me.

 

[Quint_S_Henschel]

Re: What happened.

> The week prior to Sandy's death, there was a shakeup at
> KVIL.
>
> Music Director Chuck Rhodes had been offered a job with
> Jimmy Bowen in Nashville. That opened up the MD's position.
> The job was perfect for Sandy. It would have been a great
> promotion - but what no one really grasped was that Sandy
> felt she had somehow failed Ron as his producer.
>
> At the same time, I was doing the 7-11 shift - and failing
> miserably. It was decided that I would be taken off the air
> and moved to mornings, where I would replace Sandy. As Ron
> told me at our Wednesday meeting "You're off the marquee,
> and off the A-Team." I was crushed, and went home thinking
> I'd failed too. I had no clue of the opportunity before me.
>
>
> The following Friday, the station staff was gathered
> together and the changes were announced. There were others,
> but I don't recall them. By that time, I'd pumped myself up
> so much out of resentment and pride that I walked into 5307
> Mockingbird and told everyone who'd listen how great I was
> going to do at Sandy's old job. I was so full of myself that
> I never noticed Sandy's crestfallen expression, and late in
> the day someone had the grace to tell me what an ass I was
> making of myself. Sandy and I met in the production room we
> called "the Auditorium"...and I squeezed out an apology. She
> teared up, forgave me, hugged me...and we all went home for
> the weekend. She loved to hug. Hers was a tender heart.
>
> The next Monday morning, my phone rang around 9. It was Andy
> McCollum, if memory serves - but it might have been Bob
> Morrison. The changes weren't to take effect for another few
> weeks, so the call was odd. And then I got the news. Sandy
> hadn't come in that day, and they'd sent her best friend
> Chuck over to check on her. Chuck found her where she'd
> apparently laid down to sleep on Friday night. It was
> obvious that she'd been dead since then. Congenital heart
> defect. Hereditary. Not even 40.
>
> I did the portrait for Sandy's funeral. It stood by her
> casket, which was closed. Ron delivered her eulogy. It was
> one of three times I've seen Ron cry in the 25 years I've
> known him. He more than cried. He wept. Unashamedly. We all
> did.
>
> I think of Sandy often, and still run across tape boxes,
> scripts, or cassettes bearing her inimitable handwriting.
> And I think of two things every time her pleasant memory
> returns. What if she'd lived to take that new role? There
> might never have been the KVIL missteps of the 90's, and
> KVIL might never have become what it now is. Ron might have
> retired from there. She was that good, that creative, that
> in-touch, and that influential.
>
> And the other thing?
>
> What if the pain I added was what pushed her heart too far?
>
> I'm still dealing with that thought 20 years later. And
> hopefully, learning from it. "Special Thanks", Sandy. By
> Rupert Holmes. You're still missed.
>
> Jody
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Thanks for sharing those memories!
> >
>

Jody--- you and I have never met, but I used to call you when you were on-air and my friends and I were driving back to College Station late at night. We thought you were the heir-apparant even then.

I had a friend who knew Michael Rey and used to pass along stories of some of those crazy screaming fits Ron had where he'd be shouting : "X-rey to surgery!!" over the station intercom system.

When I was a teen growing up in the 70s, I wanted a job like Ron's. In my twenties, I wanted a job like yours and the possibilities that were obviously in front you.

As for Sandy, the reason all this came up was because I ran across an aircheck I had sent her. She actually took to time to critique it and called me with her thoughts. Twenty years ago, and you can see I've never forgotten her kindness.

Perhaps it is not my place to comment on your post, but as one who switched from radio to the medical business, I must tell you this: someone with a undetected congenital heart problem like hers is just a tragedy waiting to unfold. Everyone whose life she touched knew she had a good and wonderful heart...they just didn't know it would betray her.

I, too, have wondered how it would have played out for all of you. I think you can see that I was a huge fan, not only of the personalities but of the fascinating process that created all that "theater of the mind."

It doesnt seem likely to be repeated, but you and Ron and Ken Barnett and Cat Simon and Lynne Haley and Larry Dixon and Dan Bell and Hugh Lampman and all the other air personalities and all the news people, production talent, and managers over there created a body of work that will be hard to match. For one, long, shining moment, you guys were a big, big part of what made Dallas-Fort Worth special.

Thanks for a great ride, and keep up the great work at KLUV.