After more than 2300 radio shows, the Bluegrass Special on KSON has come to an end. My last show was heard on Sunday night, September 13th which coincidentally was Bill Monroe’s birthday. I’m glad that I was able to go out with a show paying tribute to the Father of Bluegrass Music, whose song “Uncle Pen” was the first song I played when I went on the air March 7, 1976.
When I got the call from station management this month informing me about the changes in weekend programming (affecting all weekend programs on KSON, not just mine) I was told that the decision was effective immediately, so I didn’t have the opportunity to say goodbye to my listeners–who some of my KSON colleagues called Wayniacs. So, if you were a Wayniac … So long and THANK YOU! We had a good run and I’m very proud to have been the radio voice of bluegrass music in San Diego for so many years.
In an ironic twist of good (or bad) timing, the end of my radio show coincided with my receiving the Distinguished Achievement Award from the IBMA, one of it’s highest honors. Banjoist Alison Brown made the presentation during the virtual awards ceremony on September 30 and prepared a very moving video tribute in my honor which was at the same time humbling and wonderfully affirming. I’m not worthy but I am very grateful.
I will continue to be involved in bluegrass music as long as I can. I’ll be working with the IBMA’s Bluegrass Trust Fund and maintaining my website bluegrassbios.com among other things. I may not be able to play bluegrass on the radio right now, but I’ll definitely be listening. Stay tuned.
SO sorry that you are not on the air any longer! I briefly met you in about 1977/78 at a softball game across the street from Lutheran High (Faith Lutheran Church). I was sitting with Carol Parker as our kids were boyfriend and girlfriend and I think Andy was playing. I started listening to your radio show then.
I’m sure you don’t remember this….only 42 years ago!!!
I was introduced to Bluegrass at my church, St, Andrew’s Lutheran Church.
Thank you Carol for listening, and for bringing back some old memories. I don’t remember the specifics of the occasion you mention but it sure sounds familiar. I do remember that our bluegrass band Pacific-ly Bluegrass played at St. Andrews Lutheran a time or two back in those days.
While my show won’t be on KSON anymore, the music will definitely continue around San Diego in the future. The San Diego Bluegrass Society and the Summergrass Bluegrass Festival will continue to promote and present bluegrass music around the SD area, hopefully as soon as restrictions are lifted.
All the best,
WR
Thank you for replying! I’m positive that I saw your performances at St. Andrew’s. I’ll be watching for future bluegrass music.
I hope and pray your wife’s health improves if possible, or at least the condition stabilizes.
Was Tony Rice (bluegrass) related to you?
Just read of his passong.