Always Fun

I was surprised one evening when the transmitter engineer from the previous shift handed me a note from B. Bailey Brown, which contained four phone numbers. I was to call B. at the phone numbers provided until I found him.

After I finished some necessary work, I tracked down B. at the second phone number. The first words out of his mouth were “You have got to come to work at KKYX.” I was happy the way things were. I was enjoying my time as a transmitter engineer for KONO/KITY because it allowed me time for my college studies. Unlike my previous college attendance, I now knew what course studies I wanted to pursue, and I was enjoying my classes. The KKYX offer was an air shift, which would not allow me the extended study time I currently had. I politely turned down the offer and thought nothing more about it.

A few weeks later, there was another note from B. to call. I had work and heavy studying required for upcoming tests, so I put off the return call for a few days. Again, the first words from B. on the phone were “You have got to come to work at KKYX.” I reiterated that I was changing my life directions and I was more than happy with the way things were. Besides, it was a much longer drive from my house to KKYX then to KONO/KITY, and study time was not an option working at KKYX. I was not interested.

I should have known that B. would not give up. A few weeks later, he tracked me down on the phone. This time he went at things a bit differently. “Would you please do me a favor, and at least, come to KKYX and meet everyone?” Because of all the ways he had helped me in the past, I knew that I would have to “do B. a favor.” He added, “I guarantee that you will have fun working at KKYX, and you will not regret it.”

As you may already have guessed (or know), I did go to work at KKYX. I DID enjoy it! I’m glad B. didn’t give up on me.

Paul Kirby

B. Bailey Brown

Some additional thoughts from Paul Kirby: I worked both with and for B. Watching him on the air was an adventure. He was always good. I have seen him challenged with equipment failures (tape cartridges, turntables, etc.) especially on remote broadcasts, but you would NEVER know it by listening to his on-air performance. I will always remember B. and the fun times.

Editors Note: This excerpt commemorates the passing of B. Bailey Brown (October 22, 1946 – October 24, 2003).

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