KVMR takes a look back… Jenny Michaels

Originally published KVMR Listeners’ Guide Jun./Jul. 2003

I have so many memories that come to mind after only 11 years, it’s hard to choose just one. But, the first one that comes up is my earliest memory and brings a smile to my face every time.

I was but a green broadcaster back in the spring of ‘92, freshly certified,when I volunteered for the first of many pledge drives. The little table sitting in the lobby of the foundry (our old home), had only two phones on it (I think they were old rotary phones if memory serves). Brian Terhorst, another class of ‘92 alumni, and I,were answering phones for none other than John Nichols and Annie O’Dea Hestbeck during John’s Saturday Morning Wireless program.

KVMR takes a look back… Wes Robertson

 Originally published KVMR Listeners’ Guide Jun./Jul. 2003

When I started Rockin-N Stompin in ‘90 Dave Chafin came on after my show at 4 p.m. Driving up from Sacramento, he was notorious for calling me on his cell phone somewhere between Auburn and Nevada City to explain that he was running late and to request that I cover for the beginning of his show. Somewhere along the way I got the idea of keeping a cassette tape cued up to an air-check that featured the beginning of his show-just waiting for the next time that he called me. Sure enough on another given Sat., he called me and asked me to cover for him and as usual my reply was “no problem.” Once my final song ended at 4 p.m. I started the cassette that had Dave’s opening song–Van Morrison’s Wavelength- start followed by his voice coming on after the track saying his normal goodbyes to Denny Axel (Original co-host of Rockin- N-Stompin) and I. It was at this point that Dave called me back and laughingly he said that it sounded like I had everything under control and he really didn’t need to come in!!! He did show up and continued the set I started and when he finally came on to back announce (approx. 4:30 p.m.) he said he didn’t want to say anything except sometimes that Wesley is a very clever guy.

by Wesley Robertson

KVMR takes a look back… Steve Baker

 Originally published KVMR Listeners’ Guide Jun./Jul. 2003

A pregnant Carolyn Crane was hosting a morning show and training a new broadcaster when suddenly she didn’t feel well. She apparently went into full labor, and the nervous trainee had to take over until I could run to the studio and bring a sense of calm to the scene. Carolyn gave birth in the record library about a half hour later, as I answered a frantic string of phone calls.
The date was April 1, 1997, four months before Carolyn’s son actually arrived. It was, after all, one of the most convincing April Fools jokes ever played on KVMR listeners.
by Steve Baker, Program Director

KVMR takes a look back… Walt Fraser

  Originally published KVMR Listeners’ Guide Jun./Jul. 2003

Our most poignant memory is of John Nichols’ funeral held at Pioneer Park several years ago. The love and support of the KVMR family was strongly felt by all. We remember John’s partner sharing with us how she learned to make tea the “correct way,” the English way, in other words, John’s way and we’ll never forget the beautiful but sorrowful dirge by the Scottish bagpiper at the end of this memorial. We will always remember John and all he gave to KVMR.

CHERYL DACHTLER…….. When KVMR was in serious financial trouble and going down for the third time years ago, this angel single-handedly turned the situation around through her creativity, energy and persistence. As a result of her efforts, the deep financial deficit that the station had incurred, was eradicated. Thanks again, Cheryl!

Walt Fraser and Dianne Marie Anderson

KVMR takes a look back… Steve Ramsey

Originally published KVMR Listeners’ Guide Jun./Jul. 2003

Dear KVMR Friends
I sit here behind my desk as the General Manager of KBCS-FM, a terrific little community radio station, operated by Bellevue Community College.
We’re celebrating our 30th Anniversary this year. I came back home to the Pacific Northwest to take this job in 2000, after a short, 17 year detour for college, kids and community building in Nevada City.

At this specific moment, I’m listening to one of our folk dj’s play a track from the latest record by Paul Kamm and Eleanor MacDonald. Life is full of circles, the trick is to recognize and honor where those circles cross …

I’ve been asked to share some memories of KVMR on the occasion of its 25th Anniversary. Although I wasn’t there from the beginning days on Banner Mountain, I was pretty intimately involved in some of the most historic milestones in the history of the station, starting as an on-air volunteer in 1984 and continuing more or less through every paid position available, and then back to volunteering until my departure to the Seattle area in 2000.