KEYN, the first time around...

One of the very few readers of this blog has asked me to reminisce about some of the promotions we did during my time in Wichita radio.  One of the first days I was at KEYN in 1981, the station was having some kind of thing at the 4H building at Central and Ridge Road I believe.  I remember the event as it gave me the opportunity to meet some of the very special people that worked at the station.  Later that Spring I think was the KEYN Lifestyle Fair at Century II.  It was one of those events that advertisers set up booths and try to sell assorted crap to women who have dragged their husband to another event that only certain kind of men would like.  I remember this event because there are some pictures in my scrapbook of it and there were some of us that sat out by the fountains and drank some beers and talked.  When we ran out of beers, we went to my house to fetch some more brew.  Good times!

KEYN blazed the path for radio contesting in Wichita.  We gave away a Porsche, a Rolls Royce, which you may remember from an earlier blog about the winner's cheeky excitement.  We gave away 6 packs of beer, we delivered food to offices for take KEYN to work day, mopeds, cheap cars, trips and concert tickets.  I think my favorite concert of all time was standing in the middle of the floor of the Kansas Coliseum for a Loverboy concert.  Always loved Loverboy! 

All radio station request lines got their own prefix of 436 because of a concert ticket giveaway for Styx tickets.  We announced the giveaway and the phone company's circuits all blew out.  They later told us it takes 20,000 simultaneous attempts to blow out a circuit.  KEYN was very popular!So popular, that a girl I was dating at the time, who I suspected of being a lesbian, and who worked for an advwertising agency told me that the morning show at KEYN alone had a weekly cume of 120,000 listeners.  The other 15 or so radio stations shared the other half of the population.  I know what your thinking....why did I think she was a lesbian?  Just a feeling, along with all the salespeople at the station that had told me she was.  I would like to think it was me that turned her around to guys as she eventually got married and her husband testified against a well known oilman in Wichita, helping to send him to prison. 

My time at KEYN the first time was a great time.  My house became a safe haven for salespeople to come and nap because the rigors of sales made them very tired, apparently.  I hope I didn't turn any of them into lesbians, even though, to this day, I believe I am a lesbian trapped in a man's body.  Think about it.

That is all....Peters out!

Up, Up and Away...

It's a good thing that the holidays are finally over, right?  Everyone get out your planners, and if you don't have a planner, I want you to call Stacy immediately to make arrangements to get one.  Now, here are some important dates to highlight.  January 30th, I have my semi-annual apointment with the cardiologist.  He will suggest killing me with a treadmill test and if that doesn't do it, the fact that the insurance company will pay little or nothing WILL!  So, on January 31, if you don't hear from me, assume the treadmill did not go well and call a florist.

On February 3rd, Stacy is scheduled for complete knee replacement surgery.  This means two things.  Surgery for Stacy and a fulltime housecleaning regimen as we prepare for her Mother to arrive to help us out.  You may be asking yourselves, "Stacy is so young, why in the world does she need a total knee replacement?"  I would like the answer to be that I wore her out, but neither of us believe that is the cause.  What we do believe is that the knee has gone bad because of a radio stunt gone bad. 

Early in my years in Wichita before Stacy, myself and Rick Gannon, then afternoon ace on KQAM,  accepted an offer for a hot air balloon ride.  What an incredible experience!  If it wasn't for the crash landing after the wind came up while we were in flight, I might remember the occassion a bit more fondly than  do.  Anyway, the same pilot offered to take Stacy and I up in his balloon to re-pay me for doing some voicework or something for him.  After taking the flight, I assume he wasn't happy with the work I did for him.  I will not mention his name so as not to embarass him should he still be alive. (Pete)  We took off that morning from around the 13th and Ridge Road area.  We drifted lazily north over sand pits and the mighty (dirty) Arkansas River.

As evidenced by my current position in life, you may guess that decision making is not my strong suit and you are right. Why would I think another hot air balloon ride would end any different than the first one?  Once again, the wind came up and again, we crash landed in a field near Sedgewick Kansas.  As the balloon's envelope was blown by the wind, we were dragged horizontally in a stubble field.  Pete and I (did I just mention his name) did our best to hold Stacy up and keeping her from being crushed by the basket as my toes tickled the back of my ear, Stacy's leg was also pinned with her shoe in her armpit. 

Stacy has had a numb spot on her knee ever since.  The doctor told her she has the knee of an 80 year old woman.  So, on February 3rd, she will get the knee of a 23 year old foundry worker who manufactured her new knee.  And again, we will discover that our insurance covers little to nothing.

I look at it this way...at least the house will be clean for a while and Stacy can count on complete body searches at airports.  She'll like that!!

That is all...Peters out!