It's about 2 weeks into the Spring term, 1976, I give KMNR, Rolla a phone call. A female answers. (WHAT A TREAT!)

"KMNR"
"Yes, I just transferred down here, used to do some radio, and would like to continue my musical meanderings."
"Hey, listen bud just cause I'm a chick doesn't mean you gotta get hip," she contineus coldly: "Have you got a license?"
"3rd class-broadcast endorsement."
"Experience?"
"Not since I got to town." Recovering; "1 year, WDBS, Burham, 1 year KBLX, Northfield."
She obviously feels threatened. The investigation gets more intnense: "Do you have at least ten hours a week to invest?"
"Are you proposing?"
"You jerk! Look, theres a trainee meeting Wednesday. Be there if you want a chance!"

The phone slams down. Now I didn't need a chance at that uptight bitch, but I hate being called a jerk. So I checked out the meeting. The women on the phone turned out to be Mary Phoese (whoever you spell it), who turned out the be KMNR's very own and only MORALITY WATCHDOG and SOCIAL CONSCIOUS, but only after no other guy on campus would have her. But that's another story. I was assigned to Ron Williams as my D.J. and he Mary made sure that I understood that 'trainees' are the lowest vermin to wande r the earth. But, I survived, as did several others. Dave Heile was top Honcho. Keith Wren was firmly entrenched. Bill Ahall made 'Johnnie Rabbit' look foolish. Ward Silver was on co-op, as was Howboy. Dennis Hart looked like James Taylor and had ev en better taste. Jon Fredrickson was everywhere. Phoese and Brian Smith were always fighting. Bradshaw was a legend. And Dan Williams was in trouble with the right-"Program Curve"-dynasty.

The next term I got the Thursday "night-flight", 10-2 slot. Rock and Roll was still uncomplicated-the Giants were sill producing. God, I drank a lot of whiskey (Old Crow) on Thursday nights. About mid-term, I started doing regular artist features, 1 or 2 hours in length. "NO-NO" said the exec board. It doesn't conform to the program curve. This was not what I expected to encounter at KMNR. Neither had several others, Hart, Frederickson and Williams too name a few. Frederickson had split--graduatio n claimed him. Hart was too subtle in his protest. But Dan was a prime target. Living on jazz, he naturally despised the 'curve', and fought it at every occasion. Dan was fired. KMNR's first and only. Some blame Bernstein, others Phoese. Who cares? Dan was a martyr, of sorts, to teh dark age of KMNR. But... dynasties collapse.

Spring term, 77. Heile is gone. Phoese quit. Hart is gone. Ward is back -- full groove. "Improvisations" continues under his skilled guidance. The exec board has changed so much I even get my artist feature on Thursdays, "Backtracks". The term is a blur. The station was trying to get a feel for open programming. And recover its spirit. One thing does stand out... naturally. The first Beatles Special aired on Thursday eve during St. Pats. Try doing four hours after the "ganza" sometime. I unde rstand they had a good party at 302 east 12th too.

The fall of 77 was -much better. New blood and talent was abounding. Tom Heidert...good grief. Kirby Diller...mellow madness. Harpo...golden boy from Sigma Nu. DeRigne was a baby. Jeannet te Phillips...a sore spot.' Mark Williams ... already madness ... lives,by instinct only. All these.plus so many.more. I,was bored with Thursday and couldn't follow rock and roll anymore, so the "Bluegrass Variety Show" was hatched. The earliest shows were terrible. I was ignorent and our library barren. Listener reaction was far from complimentary. So f--- off! (Sorry-I must compose myself.) Other folks digresed as well. JR and Mark 'Mark' started the "Rolling Bozo Review". Jazz could be heard more than once a week. Good vibes were coming back, as well as listener support and trainee talent. And here's the serious part ...I bagged Sue and fell head over heels for a Freshman Stacy. That has little to do with KMNR, but alot to do with me. Besides, I'm writing this.

Spring, 78. The explosion-begins. Harpo is-now firmly in charge, which.means anything goes. I mean, with Ward as Program Director, who could lose. KMNR just loosened up to the max. No bad feelings, just good tunes and times. Twenty-four hour programming becomes the average, not an exception. Mike Morgan at KUMR opened his blue-grass collection up to me, and the "BVS" began to make sense. Mark Williams starts producing his series of insane and utterly tasteless carts. Yakey is here, Bob Steffens. "Blues for Rolla" and "Blues for Free" are emminent. The second annual Beatles special is aired - 6 hours on Friday. Nobody maybe listening but we sure do have fun.

Fun indeed, which couldn't quit for the summer. Everyone seemed to stay around, Harpo wanted 24 hrs a day, and got it, though he nearly flunked out. Ward organised the 'Fresnic'. Novak plus others discovered drugs. Bluuur. Complete release followed that fall. The Personnel were in a frenzy. What made KMNR tick so hard is beyound-me, but we did TICK. 24 hrs always...

Airtime could be sold on the blackmarket. Oh, the names; Farkas ... unreal, Dieter, John Bare, Brett Bishop, Bradshaw (still), Holdman, Kevin 'Mr.' Voice Williams, Strahorn, Andy Smith, Joe Smith, "God Bless His Soul" Sauer 'Smiling' Jim Roberts, Phelen, Steve Olson, Staples..."I'll sleep to him anyday", Seley, Hursh; not to mentions Harpo, Ward, J.R., Mark 'Mark', Novak, Derigne, Ralph & Sandy, Howboy, and Yakey. The fan in the john worked overtime. Busts became a reality; control a joke. But music was king, and held us together. Jeepers ... what a year!

Harpo and Ward continued this dazzeling pace into the spring of 79. Our payroll was the largest on campus; our playlist an encyclopedia. The "BVS" was now my pride and joy, and actually had an audience. But then KMNR dominated Rolla all the time, or did we? Something was happening... 'the' reality was returning. Ignore it! The Beatles 79. Eight hrs taped. Good grief did we party! The first quarter barrel team (I won't tell who lost lunch!) The bowling team! The spring drug blast! Graduation ... wait a minute. Harpo gone. Ward gone. J.B. - gone. Kevin Williams - gone. Phoese, in a final act of ignorance, declared the decadence of KMNR to the entire "MINER" audience. Campus police were pissed. Summer got here just in time.

The Fall of 79. KMNR is like an infant, again. New leaders struggle to salvage what is left of the crew. Ellen Zerr is back, refreshing. Fred Murphy assumes payroll, Novak Chief Engineer, Derigne the reins, Strahorn control. The fan is gone, alcohol is forbidden. Sedated, we settle back to once again groove. Hot rock and roll has changed...albums glut the market. Shit abounds. Sure, ther are good tunes, but who's got the time to find them? Disco is sick, but so damn popular I could scream. Jazz has exploded. The undergrads are just kids. EVERYTHING SEEMS DIFFERENT! At least Dr. D gave us a Hendrix special ... a blissfull trip to the past. Oh, well, we'll get by.

Spring of 80. This my hardest term, both emotionaly and academically. So, please forgive me if my memory does not serve you well. The 'BVS' survived, as well as 'Improvisations', "Blues for Rolla', R.B.R.' and KMNR. Mark 'Mark' persisted. I felt that the station was adrift in a sea of possibilities, trying to find a musical island upon which KMNR could survive. Ward is back for a term, so that helps. And St. Pats once again kicks us into a frenzy. The Beatles 80 my forth and last attempt at eight hours of perfect mix. I still missed my goal, but you con't buy those tapes from me. The quarter barrel team takes fourth and completely blows out our board re. moniter. Graduation - goodbye to Yakey, Mark 'Mark', Ward 'Again', and a host of others.

Fall of 80. My last term. The BVS has now survived for 3 1/2 years, continuously, including summers. I'm happy about that. Not because I'm arrogant (Which I am), but because bluegrass grew enough in those years to support that kind of show. I dig that kind of support. As for KMNR, I feel good. The 'NEW' exec board is now 'old', and know the ropes. Even Novak is passing courses. R & R is finaly finding its roots again. Music is finding new avenues as are the listeners. Taste is returning to them both. And the new blood around here seems openminded. The Hendrix special was unreal - 12 hrs for the Doctor. The bowling team reached new highs. New carpeting, turn table, chairs, etc. "It's" building once again.

I know, its pretty tacky of me to lay down five years of history. I know as soon as I quit writting I'll regret not mentioning another hundred names whose faces I've meet up here at Rolla. My apologies to all that I forgot. This wasn't researched, So even some events might be missplaced. But that is not my purpose. Five or ten years down the line, this monologue will probably be painted over and forgotten. Even if it isn't, those working her, will hardly recognise these names, except as perhaps as some signature on some review on some old album. So whats my drift? I see KMNR as a living enity, changing and growi I ng always. I want always to find 89.7 wailing away when I visit Rolla. I want the 'BVS' to outlast Rolla (goodluck, Dave Williams). I want the people of KMNR to share a common brotherhood. I want you to have memories as grand as mine. Please, if the studios ever move please take the IKMNR 7471 with you. That painting is just a hint of the energy and spirit which has dominated KMNR. I have loved this station and the people here since I got here, and will miss you all. See Ya!! at St. Pats!

Music is the best in us, "Uncle" Dave Obermann