Kent Burkhart recalls a future radio and TV legend's early days

I went to TCU in Fort Worth during the day, and was a jock at KXOL at night.  It was the early 50's when local d.j.'s were celebrities (which I could never understand). Had to do the with the beginning of TOP 40 music on radio I think. It was an exciting new music and air talent radio revolution. In those days it was fashionable for a d.j. to have a manager. Even though never formally appointed my manager and gofer a young man who visited the KXOL studios almost every night to watch me do my jock thing automatically became my manager. He made certain that I got to record hops on time, had a cola to drink, drove me to remotes, etc. He was also a wonderful photographer, and took our wedding pictures when, my college lady, Pat and I did our vows. Hey, it didn't stop there. A year later when I moved to PD WQAM in Miami Pat was very pregnant and delivered while I was in south Florida. But, this young manager was at the hospital along with my mother at the time of delivery. He hired an ambulance to drive her back to our apartment in Fort Worth, and some weeks later escorted Pat, and our new son,  Brad, on his first air flight from Fort Worth to Miami. That young guy stayed with us in Miami for a number of months helping Pat with young Brad.  That young man still looks the same today. He has that same smile, great voice and wonderful charisma on national television that he had back then.  And, if I haven't thanked him in the past, I hope the following written words will suffice. Thanks Rod Roddy. You are a champion.

Your friend, Kent Burkhart