Like so many, I was deeply saddened by the passing of one of radios great talents, Bob Kevoian of the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom Show. After
Like so many, I was deeply saddened by the passing of one of radios great talents, Bob Kevoian of the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom Show. After Nexstar executive Sean Compton saw my videos showing the early days of the duo on Indianapolis classic rocker WFBQ (Q95), he put cameras in the studio and put them on WGN America! Over the last twenty years their popularity skyrocketed and there’s lots of video and audio documentation of their wildly entertaining show, which is now on YouTube. What I put together is video from their “Early Years.” There’s a short edit at just over two minutes and a full version about thirty minutes.
Bob and Tom met in an upscale “watering hole” called The Bar Harbor in Harbor Springs, MI across the bay from Petoskey. They were working at two different stations when media sales rep Lucy Nalley suggested putting them together on 100,000 watt WJML. The rest of the story played out for the better part of four decades. Tom has always been the creative driving force of the nationally syndicated program, but Bob’s professional board work and contagious laugh made the pair and instant hit when they began in 1983 at their first (and only) major market station, in the Crossroads of America, Indianapolis, at WFBQ (94.7) Q95. Still with an enviable roster of 100 affiliates nationwide, the program recently celebrated 43 years on the air! Tom had no intention of dropping Bob’s name after he retired at the end of 2015. Proof that a well-oiled machine keeps running when properly tuned. In the 11 years since the show hasn’t skipped a beat. In the beginning, a local attorney, the late John Price, was hell-bent on getting the duo run out of town on a rail. He felt their irreverent brand of humor had no place in America’s heartland. However, the more he protested the more popular they became! Cast members have come and gone but, their F-word is FUNNY. It is widely known that The Bob & Tom Show has launched the careers of countless comics and continues to do so. Back when southern comedy singer Tim Wilson died, Bob wrote and sang a tribute to him that would touch the heart and soul of anyone.
When Bob retired, Josh Arnold, a St Louis comedian was added to the show, but he never considered himself a “replacement” for the multi-talented Bob Kevoian.
Cancer has claimed the lives of numerous comics who have been on the program, and now it’s claimed the original co-founder. He will be missed, even though away from the mic. for over ten years. With each such passing, our favorite medium, that so many of us grew up with…RADIO, is becoming a little less entertaining.
If time is a factor, at least watch the two minute version. The full version, however, offers a LOT of laughs and these days we can all use a little break from reality.
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