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Nebraska Radio Personalities
Class of 2002
People who made
their radio careers here in Nebraska
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Mike
Bradley began his career in Omaha at KOWH. He then moved to KOIL where he
became one of the highest rated jocks during the latter part of the
1950's. A few people might remember handing Mike a dollar to
play their favorite song during KOIL’s telethon at Brandeis. In
the early 70's Bradley joined KBON as the morning news anchor.
During his tenure, the
station would become KLNG and KYNN before trading owners with WOW, from
which Mike retired in
1999. |
| Terry Mason grew up as a "child of KOIL" and
little did he know that some day he would program the station. His
interest in radio led him to run a neighborhood station from his basement.
His first "real" radio job was in Council Bluffs at KRCB, after
which he worked at WOW and ended up as P.D. and the second-longest morning
man at KOIL. (Frank "Coffeehead" Allen was first, if
you're curious.) In 2003 he returned to Omaha after stints in Oklahoma City and
Orlando. Mason now programs Waitt Media's "Pure A/C"
satellite format. |
Terry Mason
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Neil Nelkin
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From
one end of the state to the other, Neil Nelkin has influenced radio in
Nebraska. Before managing
1180 KKAR, Nelkin stopped at KXNP in North Platte and KLIN in Lincoln.
Since the early 90’s he has been part of the KOIL/KKAR swap, the
launch of Omaha’s Radio Disney affiliate and 1620 “The Zone”.
Nelkin remains in high demand behind the scenes at Waitt Radio in
Omaha with Waitt Radio, as Program Director for KOIL and KOZN. |
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Both radio and television were part of Joe Patrick's broadcast career. Omaha's very first full time news
station, KLNG, welcomed Joe Patrick's talent. Eventually Patrick would make an
impression on KFAB and WOW. Being behind the studio mic wasn't
enough. Joe did play by play along side Lyell Bremser at KFAB and
later did Creighton basketball and husker Football at WOW. |
Photo Unavailable Please Contact
if you have one. |
Kent Pavelka
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After more than 25 years at KFAB Kent Pavelka moved up
the dial to 1290 KKAR. Besides sharing the spotlight on the "KFAB
Good Morning Show with Gary Sadlemyer, most remember
Kent as the longtime voice of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. (Touchdown, Touchdown, Touchdown!) Pavelka began his radio
career in Fremont at KHUB and also spent time at KLMS in
Lincoln. |
| Norm Roberts passion for radio means he has always put his best “switch” forward
behind the mic and behind the scenes. Last heard on the air,
spinning the tunes at 101.9 The Fox in Omaha, Norm continues as a producer
with Waitt radio at 1290 KKAR. Roberts experience
includes KHUB, KOOO, KEFM, KFMX, KFAB, KGOR, KQKQ, and KVNO.
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Norm Roberts |
Charlie Stone
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A cornerstone of Nebraska Radio--Charlie Stone. His voice is familiar to the
Omaha area as a DJ, commercial voice and talk radio host. During the
heyday of AM radio, KOIL was home for Stone. Eventually, Stone would join KFAB where he and Mary O’Keefe found
great on-air chemistry. Today he and his partner of afternoon radio,
are heard on 1290 KKAR. |
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On August 16th, 1993 Todd (Brandt) & (Mike) Tyler introduced Omaha to a new breed of morning radio
show. Together only a short time in Harrisburg, PA, T n T blasted to the top of the
Omaha ratings. (#1 10 out of
the last 13 books [12+]--always #1 with males). On the mic
they are controversial yet community minded. Projects include
the cleaning of the Malcolm X birth site and raising money for
area schools through their dodge ball team. December 14, 2000 was declared Todd & Tyler Day by
Governor Mike Johanns. |
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Sonny Valentine |
Behind the continued success of Lincoln's "102.7 KFRX" is Sonny
Valentine. With stops in Jefferson City, Mo and Dubuque, IA,
Valentine joined KFRX in 1988 as their mid day voice. Sonny was soon was
promoted to Music Director and by the fall of 1990 she was the Assistant PD.
In October of 1997 she followed opportunities to Madison
Wisconsin, but in less than a year she was back "home"
programming KFRX. |
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Before there was a Z-92, KRCB-FM played the loud stuff, and Chuck Yates
was part of it! KRCB is now Sweet 98, KEZO-FM is no longer
WOW 's FM, but Chuck remains part of the airwaves behind the scenes, as
General Manager of KLNG. It's probably not to be considered ironic
that Yates is at a station with a set classic Omaha call letters, on a
frequency that was once home to KRCB-FM's sister AM.
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Photo Unavailable Please Contact
if you have one. |
Inductees to the " Personalities" section are
based on the votes of participating radio personalities all across the state of
Nebraska, between July & September , 2002. Many fine people simply
did not make it, but don't forget to nominate them again next year!
If you have any errors or corrections, feel free to submit them to the
address below.
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