A message from Jivin’ Johnny Etheredge
Dear friends and listeners:
This season marks a couple of significant anniversaries. It marks the 50th anniversary of Son of Saturday Gold – simply Saturday Gold when it debuted in 1970. The show was bounced around by the vagaries of commercial radio until landing on KRVM in 1993.
It also marks my 50th anniversary in radio – I was 19 years old when you were first subjected to the sound of my aching adenoids. Being too lazy to work and too nervous to steal, I figured a career as a DJ was a good choice for me. This season also marks the 40th anniversary of the Country Classics show, which has aired in the same time slot on KRVM since 1980.
When past anniversaries occurred, I was able to say “thank you” in person and in high style. KRVM threw fun dance parties on both the 30th and 40th anniversaries of Son of Saturday Gold, and it was just wonderful to gather with you in person and celebrate the music that we love. I remember that after the 40th celebration I posted a comment, something to the effect of “polish up your walkers, and we’ll have a 50th party in ten years.” Well, those ten years have now passed. I don’t have a walker to polish, but needless to say, we won’t be gathering together in person to celebrate the 50th. My wife Candy and I will raise a toast, quietly and safely at home, and marvel at how quickly fifty years went by.
2020 has been a year of special challenges for all of us. I have been uplifted by all of the messages and comments from you thanking me for my extra efforts in producing shows for KRVM. No thanks are necessary. The work is its own reward. All of KRVM’s staff and volunteers have worked extra hard to ensure that our shows are safely produced and on the air for you. I consider it my privilege to be in a position to fill in where needed on some of our shows. I am proud to be part of this team effort.
Rock’n’roll is here to stay – you can tell ’em Jivin’ Johnny said so! As we embark on the sixth decade of Son of Saturday Gold, stay well, and keep each other safe. We all want to be around to celebrate the 60th!