Up to 30 members of Springfield’s radio industry will be signing books and answering questions about their work at the Historic Fox Theatre this weekend.
The History Museum on the Square is hosting a book signing event for “The History of Radio in Springfield, Missouri,” on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the theatre located at 157 Park Central Square. Springfield radio personalities, writers, executives, engineers and others will be present.
Edited by Malcolm Hukriede and Dan O’Day, who worked in Springfield’s radio industry for many years, “The History of Radio in Springfield, Missouri” features a total of 49 authors who share their experience and favorite memories from working in radio.
O’Day, who has 50 years of experience in the radio industry, from hosting to production to sales, said he and Hukriede began brainstorming an idea about a book in 2016. The book’s 49 individual stories were collected between 2017 and 2021. O’Day said this process included folks being interviewed and others writing their stories out themselves.
“The History of Radio in Springfield, Missouri” includes nearly 70 years worth of information. In addition to the book’s historical perspective, it includes a good deal of “reminiscing” by its authors, O’Day said.
“There are stories in there that made me weep,” he added.
Among those featured in the book include the late Jim Bohannon, a national radio host, and late Father Harry, host of “The God Squad.” Those attending this weekend’s book signing include Dan Shelley, Woody Snow, Janet Lane, Cedric Randle, Wayne Glenn, Don and Chris Louzader, Summer Stevens, John Kimmons, “Miss Kitty” Ledbetter, “Curly” Clark, Mike The Intern and Ned Reynolds, according to a news release.
John Sellars, executive director emeritus of the history museum and host of “Sharing Stories of the Crossroads” on KICK 92.3 FM, will also be in attendance. In partnership with the history museum, “Sharing Stories of the Crossroads” airs every Tuesday at 4 p.m. and explores the history of the Ozarks.
“Springfield has such a rich radio history,” Sellars said. “The KBGX radio building over on Boonville (Avenue) was the first building west of the Mississippi (River) constructed as a radio station. Everything about it, the engineering of that building is for it to be a successful radio station: the sound-proof walls, double-thick doors.” Formerly, the KGBX radio station was located at 605 N. Boonville Ave.
Sean FitzGibbons, executive director of the History Museum on the Square, said he anticipates the book signing to feature “great storytelling” as folks enjoy one-on-one conversations with the book’s authors.
“Unless you go out and are like some radio enthusiast, you’re not going to be able to find all these little stories that make up Springfield’s history,” FitzGibbons said. “This book is a great way to have that access to that information.”
“The History of Radio in Springfield, Missouri” is available for sale at the History Museum on the Square and on Amazon for $25. If purchased at the history museum, a portion of the book’s proceeds will be donated to the museum.