Comments on: Buck Ritchie on KAYO "Country KO" 1150 Seattle | Sometime 1964

By: Maia Santell

Maia Santell — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:30:41 +0000

I’m searching for “Golden Days” broadcaster named John R. Forrest (Johnny). I am hoping that Gene Larson might remember him. His accomplishments include: News broadcaster on KOL (1960 to 1969), news broadcaster KFKF Bellevue (1969 to 1971), playwright of two Suspense Theater plays (“Mission Completed” starring James Stewart, 1949, and “The Daisy Chain”, 1961). He wrote a hit tune, a pop ballad called “Blue Tears”, recorded on Golden Crest Record Label and aired on AM radio in 1960. John was also known for broadcasting the Seattle Seafair Hydroplane Races during the 60’s—-BEFORE Pat O’Day acquired that gig. I have commented on various radio sites, including KOL, but no one remembers him. Sadly there is very little documentation about him on the Internet. In desperation and frustration to give him “credibility”, I created a web site for him on Footnote. I also addedd him to my own web site (photo gallery); which is http://www.MaiaSantell.com. (John Forrest died in 1971 and the young age of sixty-three.)

By: Tom Williams

Tom Williams — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:13:36 +0000

I remember the old days of growing up with the country KAYO club. I remeber the picnics and train rides and all the feasts that they used to provide to their fans. I remember Buck Richie when he used to holler YaHoo Mountain Dew and i still till this day have the hat that I won at one of the picnics. The whole crew back then was the best group of people ever. I will never forget the pleasure they gave to me and my entire family. I also will never forget how well they treated my brother after his return from vietnam. My brother was wounded real bad and we took him to the Kayo Picnic. The response that he got from the crew, Bashfull Bobby, “B” Buck Richie, Ed Howell. All of these people were great and radio has not been the same since. I miss them all.

By: Gene Larson

Gene Larson — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:53:42 +0000

Hi, KAYO FANS!

I’m Gene Larson, who worked with all the guys you’ve mentioned at KAYO from March 1972 to September 1975. I was the “weekend guy” who worked the ungodly 12:00 Midnight Saturday nights to Noon Sunday shifts, then 6:00pm Sunday nights to Midight. Weekdays I worked with the other guys in various capacities and did Superstar interviews at the Opera House as “Granpa” (or “The Old Timer”).

I will never be able to forget those “golden days” of radio and each fellow-jock I had the pleasure of working with. I’ve saved all of my interviews. I remember getting Star bits to play for Ed Howell when he did afternoon news for the “GOODNIGHT,ED” news ending. THOSE WERE THE DAYS, MY FRIENDS!!

By: Penny (Howell) Kafflen

Penny (Howell) Kafflen — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:46:40 +0000

Kenneth,
Thank you so much for remembering our dad — and what a great memory you have: his theme song for his entire radio career was “Java” by Al Hirt!

Kerry and I could sing the words to every country song from the dawn of time until about 1973/4, as the radio was always on in our home. And we knew when we heard “Java” at 8 PM that our dad was on his way home.

One of the highlights of his time at KAYO was the shows at the Opera House. We kids were able to attend a few, and I met Minnie Pearl, Tom T. Hall, etc. I still have a photo taken with Freddy Weller (from Paul Revere and the Raiders).

More KAYO trivia: Andy’s Diner, just down the street on 4th Avenue South, is now Frank’s Diner here in Spokane.

By: Jeff Zale

Jeff Zale — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 21:59:55 +0000

Could it be the same guy? I found some photos in my fathers stuff recently. A Big banner on the back wallin the photo says “Saturday Night with Buck Ritchie”. The banner displays a south West cactus motif. The crowd is all men in suits and skinny ties. In the foreground is an attractive young lady taking off her negligee. This had to be somewhere in the South King County area. Did Buck evere host adult shows?

By: Richard Shuman

Richard Shuman — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 01:54:27 +0000

Hi Folks,
All this talk about Buck is really something.
I knew him well, as a matter of fact he taught me the very first chords and the first song ever on the guitar.Which ended up being a second career for me now for 47 years. He also played mandolin,”I think it was his first instrument also the fiddle .We,the families,the Shumans,Don,Diana,Bruce ,Cyndi and me Richard with Buck,Paulin and Brent, spent weekends at our cabin on Point Monroe,Bainbridge Island,WA….Thanks for the memories……..Richard

By: Ron

Ron — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:34:17 +0000

Its old home time .. my dad was “Bashful Bobby Wooten” and I have the same memories as Kerry although being a recent high school grad at the time, I didn’t get to KAYO that often. He sent me some tapes of his show while I was in VietNam and even did a radio show there back in 1967.

By: Kenneth

Kenneth — Sat, 24 May 2008 05:40:34 +0000

Oh, Kerry, PLEASE try and dig out those tapes!! I remember listening to your dad as a kid. Wasn’t his theme a Floyd Cramer cover Al Hirt’s “Java”? And I wonder what happened to the “Walk of Fame” that was outside the building – now THAT should be at a museum somewhere, although it probably fell victim to a jackhammer. I even still have my “KAYO Kountry Klub” membership card somewhere.

By: Kerry Howell

Kerry Howell — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:59:36 +0000

For those that are interested, these are the real deal. My father, Ed Howell worked with Buck Ritchie and the rest of the crew until Jessica sold out the successful format in the 80’s.
All the radio personalities were gentlemen and enjoyed interacting with their listeners as would talk to them on the phone while songs played. It’s very hard to talk into a microphone for hours every day and come up with something to say. You have to like what you’re doing and like to talk!
I have very fond memories of going to work with my dad on Saturdays and wandering around the station. Not only would my dad have to run the board, pick and file the 45’s for the show, play the commercial carts and select all the news items to read and keep to the format clock.
Somewhere in a box, my mother has at least one box of real-to-real tapes from those 70’s shows.
And yes, the teletypes in the background of the news portion were really typing new items full time.

By: Old Fan

Old Fan — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 23:21:02 +0000

In my fathers belongings I came across some black and white photos. In the bqackground is a banner depoicting a cowboy themem and the words “Sunday Night, Buck Ritchie”. From the style of dress of the men in the audience the photos appear early 60’s vintage. Were radio personalities allowed to have naked girls on stage in those days?