Thank you, John Broeske

Tomorrow marks the end of an era in my life.

The only boss I've ever had in my 21 years working at KMJ Radio is officially retiring tomorrow.

John Broeske is being remembered by his peers and associates in the radio business as one of the most successful radio programmers in the nation, and justifiably so, for keeping KMJ among the top rated news/talk radio stations during the 26 years he has been at the station.

But that's only a small part of the reason I will remember him fondly, and never forget him.

The major reason is that he gave this boy from Kerman, who always wanted to be on the radio, his lifelong dream.

I came to KMJ in 1986 while I was still a midday on-air personality at a big band station across town. There was actually no opening at KMJ when I was hired, but John was impressed enough by what he heard of me to put me on call at Fresno's heritage radio station.

Another fellow got the job I was applying for(he's still there now, as one of the staff's engineers).

But because so many of the employees got lots of vacation time, I got plenty of work at that time filling in...and I learned radio really fast working at KMJ's feverish pace.

In fact, it wasn't long before I got some plum on air assignments of my own. Thanks to those(and KMJ's large audience)I became a well-known area air personality as a result of being featured on the air there. And John made all that happen for me, by taking a chance on me, because he believed in me.

I became well-known for hosting one of the station's most venerable shows, a garage sale type program known as Radio Tradio. So many people listened and participated in that program that it seemed everywhere I went, people recognized my name and my voice.

John also noticed my interest in sports, and in the early 1990s, he chose me to be the host of the postgame edition of "Dog Talk"...a call in show to follow our exclusive coverage of Fresno State football and basketball. That show earned me even more recognition, and John rewarded me for my success at that show by making me the afternoon drive sports reporter(and fill-in host)on the station's PM drive news.

In fact, John had me doing every on air job on the station, including news anchor, traffic reporter, farm show host, and relief talk show host(on holidays). People are still fondly talking about my 4th of July and Thanksgiving shows, and I wish I still did them.

So thank you John, for letting me do that for you(and KMJ).

But that's not all.

In 2002, I suffered a stroke which still impacts my speech to this day. In most radio stations, that would mean pink slip time(radio is a cruel business sometimes).

But not with John Broeske.

He realized that I knew the KMJ operation as well or better than anyone else, and that I could still do everything else I had been doing there at that time. So he just changed my duties. I didn't get demoted, nor did I get a pay cut...I've just gone on, doing the very same things I've been doing for all these years, minus the on-air duties.

I miss those terribly. I would give nearly anything if I could regain them. At this point, I feel(and so do MANY others)that I am more then able to resume those duties. But John has not allowed me to do that, and he is convinced I'm not ready. I have pleaded my case many times over the past five years in vain to get them back, but John has been adamant, and I am still limited to mostly behind the scenes work.

But at least I'm working...and the window remains to reclaim my dream if the opportunity should arise...not everyone can say that. And certainly not many in the radio business have that opportunity.

(John has graciously allowed me to continue co-hosting our legendary gospel music program...so I'm still able to be involved in what I love most).

Lest you think I'm complaining, nothing can be farther from the truth. John has always been nothing less than fair and honest, not only with me, but with everyone at KMJ. As much as he may admire my spirit and determination to regain my duties, he knows what he's paid for to do at KMJ. And he rightly refuses to let his personal feelings interfere with his professional judgment...and his judgment has proven to be more correct than not in 26 years, which is why he's been here so long.

So I also say thank you John, for the opportunities...and allowing me to stay in the field I've always loved. And thank you for treating me like anyone else in the process.

Unlike many in radio, John is unfailingly honest and straightforward. If you want to know what he thinks, simply ask him...he will always tell you the truth...as he sees it.

These are the types of people I respect the most.

Most of what I believe about doing radio, I learned from John. Like talk shows...their quality is not determined by the amount of phone calls you get, but on your content, and how well you present it. I've always followed John's advice and passed it on to others...when you prepare for a two-hour talk show, prepare two hours worth of material. Prepare as if you'll get no calls whatsoever. This is why our talk shows sound good by comparison to 90% of what's on the air elsewhere.

John has earned his retirement after 26 years...and while I'll always miss him here, he deserves to enjoy the time he has left to enjoy.

So John, for the chances, the opportunities, the confidence and belief in me you've showed, and for being fair, honest, and insisting that I do my best at all times, thank you.

The next KMJ PD has some mighty big shoes to fill...good luck, Skip Essick.

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