KCSR - Chadron, Nebraska

KCSR radio was the first broadcast station in Chadron, Nebraska. The original location of station was 212 Bordeaux Street. Macek's Office Supply was in the basement of the building just to the north, while Staska Dairy was adjacent to the south. Some years later, the station moved a few doors south on the same block, and the station remains at that location today.

KCSR program schedule in March of 1955

Click on this KCSR program schedule from March of 1955, and you'll find some size options at the top of the page.

KCSR General Manager "Curly" Finch was really a big band guy!

We don't have a clue when or where this promotional shot was taken. That's definitely KCSR co-owner Bill Finch playing sax on the left. Any idea of who his musical companion is and where this might have been taken?

Not what he had in mind for "Meet Me on Main" broadcasts

Perhaps a bit like a fish out of water -- but Bill Finch had fun with his local celebrity as "Curly" Finch, leader of the "Curly's Corral" music program on KCSR. He freely admitted that his tenure in Chadron was the first time he'd ever ridden a horse. Not bad for a guy from Chicago! And although big band was his love, he enthusiastically embraced the country and western music so popular in the KCSR listening area.

"Curly's Corral" in action.

The venue might have been the Community Building in Chadron, but we're not certain. We recognize Bill "Curly" Finch at left, and that's Ellis "Peabody" Hale in the center back. The two fellows in front are familiar looking, and that's probably long-time area performer Russ Garner on the right. Note: June 2013; Chadron native Al Clark identified the fellow in the center with guitar as John Ludwig, the KDUH "Singing Weatherman," who also managed the station for a while before moving to Lincoln.

Let's talk literature! Is this public radio? Nope. KCSR

There've been disputes over exactly who's in this photo. I believe I recognize all but the fellow at the far left. Others, left-to-right, are Ray David, Bernard Donohue, Joseph Dugas, and Bill Finch. Donohue and Dugas were college professors, and Ray David was manager of the Pace Theatre (perhaps it was the Eagle Theatre by then?) Given the "Julius Caesar" noted on the paper on the table, it must've been a heavy discussion about literature!

Zaniness in action: "Breakfast with the Boys"

There's not enough room here to tell about these guys, but let's start! Cliff Pike (left) and Bob Fouse were extremely talented broadcasters. As is often true with such creative personalities, they had their demons, too. These were the days before television in northwest Nebraska, so the listenership to Breakfast with the Boys was considerable. Cliff was my mentor at KCSR, and I always admired his skill and humor. He left before KCSR changed hands in 1959, taking on announcing chores at KOTA Radio in Rapid City. I don't believe he was there long before he returned to his native Colorado to work in a Golden bank. I'm not sure he was even 50 years old when he died. Fouse was probably the zaniest of the original KCSR crew. An immense talent, he was a gregarious character who lived life to the fullest (some would say over the top!). Bob Fouse left Chadron abruptly to return to Colorado and work, I believe, for the Humane Society. He, too, died at a very early age.

KCSR studio had lots of activity

In those days, every radio station worth its salt had a good-sized studio for special broadcasts -- like Breakfast with the Boys, Curly's Corral, and others. Here's Bob Fouse clowning around for a couple of kids. That's a young David Hogue in the background. Standing next to Fouse is Mike Glode. I suspect this was taken in about 1957. Notice the photos on the studio wall back near the control room window. There was also a small announce both adjacent to the control room. It was used frequently during early morning, lunch time, and supper time broadcasts.

Reaching for the stars

Former KCSR co-owner/General Manager Bill Finch is on the left, posing with bandleader Lawrence Welk. The photo was likely taken in the 1970s at the Armed Forces Radio and Television (AFRTS) facility in Los Angeles. Through his love of music -- and a warm and smooth on-air delivery -- Finch produced and hosted a big band program that was distributed around the world by AFRTS. You'll find more information about the life of Bill Finch on our Radio-TV Journal web site.

"Curly" Finch was almost back in the Army

Army Colonel J.R. Meacham (left) visits with Bill Finch. This photograph, also likely taken at AFRTS in Los Angeles, appeared in a March 1969 Denver Post Empire Magazine. The "Finch's Bandwagon" program was pressed to vinyl discs and distributed around the world for broadcast on hundreds of local AFRTS stations during the 1960s and 1970s. Finch would periodically fly to California from his home in Colorado Spriings to record the programs. In 1975, he moved to South Carolina. According to his son, Holmes Finch, Bill continued to do a weekly big band radio show in Florence, South Carolina, until he died in 2004.

Seems to be having fun!

Probably a promotional piece from Bill Finch's days with WJMX in Florence, South Carolina, where he hosted a big band music program for 27 years.

First KCSR GM Bill Finch in later years

This photo of Bill Finch with his 1964 Plymouth Valiant was taken in Pimplico, South Carolina, in 2002, less than two years before his death. His wife Pat recalls that they bought the car new in Casper, Wyoming, right after they were married. A nephew now owns the classic vehicle.

Ellis "Peabody" Hale was a Crawford fixture

Ellis "Peabody" Hale was a farmer/rancher near Crawford who had some health issues that forced him into a different line of work. As seen here, Ellis was a musician, and he and his "Pea-pickers" played for dances all around northwest Nebraska. Shortly after KCSR went on the air, "Peabody" became a fixture on Curly"s Corral every Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock. He also started a daily one-hour country and western music program from a KCSR studio on Wagon Wheel Road in Crawford. The program ran for many years. When the new owners of KCSR decided to drop the Ellis Hale Show, it was immediately picked up by KOBH in Hot Springs, which covered an even larger area than KCSR in those days. Much-loved by the Crawford community, there's still an annual fiddler's contest every July -- as well as a city park -- named in his honor. He passed away several years ago; his widow Dora still lives in Crawford.

Peabody Hale was in charge of the KCSR Studios in Crawford

Both of these shots appear to have been taken at the KCSR studio on "Wagon Wheel Road" in Crawford. Ellis' story is fairly remarkable -- and one that we plan to share down the road.

Freeman Hover was the KCSR Music Director – and a great guy!

We were saddened to learn of Freeman Hover's death on Monday, February 9, 2009 in Tucson, Arizona. He was 79. He was one of the pioneers who helped start KCSR in the 1950s. Freeman sent us this photograph, probably in the early 1970s; it was shortly after he had re-located to Arizona. Apparently, he found great joy in the desert southwest, since he never again lived in the northern plains region. During the late 1950s, Freeman voiced one of the sign-off announcements for KCSR. We've posted a story about Freeman and a video tribute on our Radio-TV Journal website.

Freeman Hover at the control board

We have few photographs of Freeman Hover, and most of them are of poor quality. This one was taken in 1959 on a Kodak "StarMite" camera through two glass windows. The note on the back of the photograph says this was the last "Top Forty Time" broadcast on KCSR.

Main street in the 1950's

This is not a high resolution photo, but it's quality is good enough that a few folks can be identified. If you recognize any others, let me know. In the center, holding the microphone, is KCSR's Bob Fouse. Taken in front of the Post Office, this was a Lion's March of Dimes event. Among the kids are Charles Nelson, David Hogue, Sally Bauman, and Larry Miller.

Back when we played records on the radio!

Glenn Hixson was among the entourage of WJAG/Norfolk staff members who came west to Chadron after KCSR was bought by Huse Publishing Company in 1959. This is one of the few good photographs showing the Gates control board and one of the Gray turntables. Both the big studio and announce booth are seen in the background. Glenn served as Program Director at KCSR in the very early 1960s. I don't know where he went after leaving Chadron. He had departed the station by 1966. I believe this shot was taken in about 1962.

Frank Allen - KCSR Chief Engineer

Frank Allen did at least two stints at KCSR. This photo was probably taken in about 1962, a few years after the station was purchased by Huse Publishing Co. out of Norfolk. Frank was Chief Engineer for the station, but as with most small operations, found himself heavily engaged in on-air work, too. I remember him as an excellent engineer, and a good announcer as well. He was proof that you didn't have to have "pear-shaped pipes" to be an announcer -- just an ability to read well and have a healthy respect for the listeners. Frank is widowed and living in Colorado these days. I hear him frequently on the air -- but not commercial radio. A long-time amateur radio operator (W0GGP) Frank often checks in with a group of about 50 ham operators who gather at 3.95 Mhz every weekday morning at 7 o'clock. It's called the Western Nebraska Weather Net, and I suspect Frank -- along with Lynn Bilyeu and a handful of remaining others -- are among those who started the net. I recall that weather conditions reported on that amateur radio network were then used by KCSR. Note: Click on the photograph to see a larger image.

At War Memorial Ball Park for a baseball game

When Frank Allen went to work for KCSR in late 1954, he drove his Willys Jeep from Colorado to Chadron and sold it to the station. It was painted and put into service as a mobile unit, dubbed "Little Mike." Something of a fixture around Chadron in the 1950s, "LIttle Mike" was used for everything from announcing ball games and hosting visitors on "Welcome Travelers" to on-the-scene broadcasts of breaking news. I believe that's long-time Chadron State College professor Bernard Donohue chatting with the driver.

Sportscaster/announcer Owen Lyon

Owen was an announcer/sportscaster in the Scottsbluff, Nebraska area, before enrolling at Chadron State College in the 1950s. In addition to working at KCSR, Owen did sports on KDUH-TV after it went on the air. For a time, Bill Finch served as manager of both the Duhamel TV station and KCSR. Owen Lyon is out of broadcasting, but has returned to Chadron for alumni gatherings at the college. Last known address for Owen was South Carolina.

Carolyn (Zuver) Tehrani

Carolyn was one of the many "gal Fridays" at KCSR. This would have been in about 1962. Other secretaries over the years: Carol South, Darlene Collons, Sherry Germann, Shirley (Brown) Metcalf, Frances (Nixon) Hussey, and....perhaps you remember others. One was a Miss Stanek (from South Dakota, I believe), but I simply don't remember her first name.

Duane Shupe - Early KCSR Sales Manager

When KCSR celebrated its 50th reunion, Duane Shupe and his wife Vernocia were on hand for the event -- and he was the "old-timer" of KCSR alumni. Duane was Sales Manager in the '50s. A joy to work with and a great sense of humor -- I recall lending a hand when Duane and Vernocia moved from Hay Springs to Chadron. I don't remember if Duane stayed on after Huse Publishing (owner of WJAG Radio in Norfolk, NE) bought KCSR. He may have migrated north to Williston for a while -- as a few other KCSR veterans did -- but he eventually moved to Evanston, Wyoming and got a real job on the railroad! I recall Duane was an engineer for many years (that's railroad -- not radio) before retiring.

Frank Allen in later years

In August 2009 we visited with former KCSR staffer Frank Allen. Retired from his 2-way radio repair business, Frank has lived in Padroni -- just north of Sterling, Colorado -- for many years. Born in Paris, Illinois, he grew up in Illinois and Colorado. After graduating from Longmont (CO) High School in 1944, he attended East Illinois University in Charleston and served a short stint in the Army. Frank's radio career took him to a variety of jobs in Illinois, Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska, including two tours at KCSR. Frank married Chadron native Marlene Collons (CHS '51) and they raised two boys, Mike and Mark. Marlene contracted West Nile virus and died in 2006.