Radio History: March 23

Paula Winslowe with William Bendix

➦In 1910...Paula Winslowe was born Winifred Reyleche (Died  at age 87 – March 6, 1996). She was a radio and television actress and is known for her role as Bambi's mother in the 1942 movie Bambi.

Winslowe played the role of Mrs. Martha Conklin in Our Miss Brooks on both radio and television. On radio, she played Peg Riley in The Life of Riley, She was also heard in Silver Theater, Big Town and Broadway Is My Beat.

She briefly portrayed Mrs. Foster on Big Town, which starred Edward G. Robinson. She starred in several episodes of Suspense, including June 14, 1955 ("The Whole Town's Sleeping") written by Ray Bradbury; July 11, 1956 ("Want Ad"); January 24, 1956 ("The Cellar Door"); and June 5, 1956 ("The Twelfth Rose").

➦In 1922...KMJ-AM, Fresno, California signed-on.

KMJ was originally owned by the San Joaquin Light and Power Corporation. It was later acquired by the McClatchy Newspaper Company in 1925. It is also the 38th oldest licensed, and continuously operated radio station in the United States.

KMJ operated on a number of other frequencies between 1925 and 1932; some of the frequencies used included 820 and 1350 kHz.

McClatchy was intent on improving the signal, and competed with KTAB in Oakland for a new frequency (580 kHz), which was being made available by the newly created FCC.

Eventually, they were awarded the new channel, and KMJ moved to 580 kHz in 1932, operating with 1 kW non-directional from a building rooftop in Downtown Fresno.

In 1936, a new 5,000-watt non-directional transmitter site was constructed, which utilized a 5/8 wave antenna, and was located 5 miles east of Fresno, at the northeast corner of the Kings Canyon Road and Fowler Avenue intersection.

The Fresno Bee - April 1940

In 1941, Hammer Field (which later became Fresno Air Terminal) was constructed, as a training base for the Army Air Corps. The KMJ tower was directly in line with the runway, and the Army wanted the site relocated.

The site was then moved some 16 miles west of Fresno, the existing tower was unstacked and moved as well; however, it was only 660 feet in height. The remaining 330 feet were stored on the site, with the intention of creating a directional array, altough World War II interrupted the project and it never resumed.

The extra portion was eventually moved to Sacramento, and used in the construction of the KFBK transmitter site in 1945.

Today, KMJ-AM operates on the regional channel 580, with 50Kw and a directional antenna array.

KMJ 580 AM (50 Kw, DA2) Daytime 2 mV/m contour

From 1925 until 1987, KMJ was owned by McClatchy Company, who also owned KFBK in Sacramento, KBEE in Modesto, KERN in Bakersfield, and KKOH in Reno. McClatchy Newspapers also owned three daily newspapers in Fresno, Sacramento, and Modesto. In 1953, McClatchy signed on KMJ-TV on channel 24. The television station would be sold off in 1981 to become KSEE.

In November 2006, KMJ and its sister stations KFPT (AM), KWYE (FM), KSKS (FM), KFJK (FM), KOQO (FM), and KMGV (FM) were sold by CBS Radio to Peak Broadcasting, for $90 million.

In March 2009, Peak Broadcasting replaced the KFJK Jack FM format on 105.9 FM, with KMJ-FM; it is a partial simulcast of KMJ-AM.

In the fall of 2012, Premiere Radio Networks exercised a termination clause and ended its relationship with both the AM and FM KMJ stations. As of January 1, 2013, all Premiere-controlled syndicated shows were moved to Clear Channel-controlled stations in the greater Fresno area. From 6:00 A.M. until 6:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, KMJ-AM broadcasts all live and local talk shows.

On August 30, 2013, a deal was announced in which Townsquare Media would purchase Peak Broadcasting, and then immediately swap Peak's Fresno stations, including KMJ, to Cumulus Media in exchange for Cumulus' stations in Dubuque, Iowa and Poughkeepsie, New York. The deal is part of Cumulus' acquisition of Dial Global. Peak, Townsquare, and Dial Global are all controlled by Oaktree Capital Management. The sale to Cumulus was completed on November 14, 2013.

Today the station airs a news/talk format.

WEW Chief Engineer Gordon Sherman 1933

➦In 1922...WEW-AM, Saint Louis, Missouri began broadcasting.

Saint Louis University established the station 9YK around 1912, using Morse code to communicate seismological and weather information. George E. Rueppel, assistant director of the Meteorological Observatory at SLU, worked with 9YK before he founded WEW in 1921. Audio transmissions began at 10:05 a.m. on 26 April 1921; the first voice heard was SLU president Rev. William Robison. The station received radio license #560 to broadcast on 618.6 kHz (wavelength 485 meters) as WEW on 23 March 1922;  KSD had been licensed on March 8.

The station has claimed to have broadcast the first quiz show, Question Box Hour, in 1923.

The station later moved to 833 kHz (360 meters). In April 1927 it was changed to 1210 kHz then 850 kHz; and changed in 1928 to 760 kHz, which was moved to 770 kHz on 29 March 1941 when NARBA took effect.

WEW 770 AM (10 Kw-D, 200 watts-N) Daytime 2 mV/m contour

On April 28, 2016 the station was granted a Federal Communications Commission construction permit to move to a new transmitter site, increase day power to 10,000 watts and add nighttime operation with 200 watts while still protecting clear-channel station WABC (AM) in New York City.

Today the station is owned by by Birach Broadcasting and airs diverse ethnic programs.

➦In 1938...CBS Radio newsman Christopher Glenn was born (Died at age 68 from liver cancer – October 17, 2006).  He was a news journalist who worked in broadcasting for over 45 years and spent the final 35 years of his career at CBS, retiring in 2006 at the age of 68.

Christopher Glenn

Glenn worked at various radio stations in New York, Connecticut, and Washington, D.C. before joining CBS in 1971. He was a narrator for In the News, a long-running Emmy award-winning TV news program geared toward children and young people, which aired between the network's Saturday-morning children's shows. Glenn also appeared on camera as an anchor for the short-lived 30 Minutes, a young people's version of 60 Minutes.

He served as an anchor for two of the CBS Radio Network's signature news roundups carried by affiliates in the United States - The World Tonight (now the CBS World News Roundup Late Edition) from 1988 to 1999, and the morning CBS World News Roundup from 1999 until his retirement. Glenn's final morning broadcast occurred on February 23, 2006.

Glenn made his best-known report on January 28, 1986, when he anchored CBS Radio's live coverage of the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger. Glenn had just signed off—after what was thought to have been a normal launch—when the shuttle disintegrated, killing the seven astronauts on board. "I had to get back on the air real fast to describe that, and had a very difficult time doing that," he recalled. Glenn and correspondent Frank Mottek (now a reporter at CBS Radio Station KNX) covered the Challenger disaster from that point as a CBS NetAlert bulletin.

➦In 1940...The game show “Truth or Consequences” was first heard on the NBC Radio Network.

Ralph Edwards (left) stated he got the idea for a new radio program from a favorite childhood parlor game, "Forfeits". The show premiered on NBC Radio in March 23, 1940, and was an instant hit with listeners.

Edwards hosted the show from 1940 to 1957 and on television from 1950 to 1954. Other TV hosts were Jack Bailey (1954–1956), Bob Barker (1956–1975), Steve Dunne (1957–58), Bob Hilton (1977–1978) and Larry Anderson (1987–1988). The television show ran on CBS, NBC and also in syndication. The premise of the show was to mix the original quiz element of game shows with wacky stunts.

Truth or Consequences was the first game show to air on broadcast television, airing as a one-time experiment on the first day of New York station WNBT's commercial program schedule on July 1, 1941. However, the series did not appear on TV again until 1950, when the medium had caught on commercially.

In the late 1940s, Hot Springs, New Mexico agreed to host a T or C radio episode, resulting in the community renaming itself to Truth or Consequences; it still continues to use that name today.

AFVN Saigon - 1972

➦In 1973...American Forces Vietnam Network (AFVN) radio and TV signed off permanently after serving the American fighting men and women for many years in Vietnam. During that time over a thousand military personnel served at one of the many in-country sites.

➦In 2008…Big Jack Armstrong died at age 62 in High Point NC. (Born -  John Charles Larsh on December 4, 1945).  He was also known as Jack Armstrong, Jackson W. Armstrong, and Big Jack Your Leader, was a top-40 disc jockey of the 1960s through the 1980s, and an oldies DJ until 2006.

Chicago Radio: Talk Host Dan Bernstein Fired From WSCR, The Score

Dan Bernstein

Dan Bernstein, a veteran Chicago sports radio host, was fired from WSCR 670 The Score Friday ending a nearly 30-year tenure with the station. 

The dismissal came after a heated social media exchange where Bernstein threatened to dox a follower—revealing their personal information, including address and phone number—and ominously asked if they wanted their “kids involved.” This stemmed from a dispute over a photo Bernstein posted last week of himself with a 32-inch northern pike he caught, captioned “This was a helluva fight.” 

A user accused him of killing a pregnant fish instead of releasing it, prompting Bernstein to claim it was released successfully. When the critic persisted, calling him a liar, Bernstein escalated, writing, “I never respond to trolls, but questioning my sportsmanship and conservation awareness sets me off. Wanna fight? I’m a bad enemy,” before issuing the threats.

Ho hum. Just another normal day for Danny Bernsteinpic.twitter.com/cbtFwySBoG

— Eddie (@EddieBarstool) March 14, 2025

The fallout was swift. By March 16, Camp One Step, a children’s cancer charity where Bernstein served on the board, removed him, citing comments that didn’t reflect their mission. On Monday, he was absent from his midday show, replaced by Marshall Harris and Leila Rahimi, with the station initially framing it as “time off.” 

But on Friday, at 1:50 p.m. CDT, Vice President and Brand Manager Mitch Rosen announced on-air, “Dan Bernstein no longer works at The Score. We thank Dan for his time here and wish him nothing but the best.” An email to staff echoed this, per the Chicago Sun-Times. Audacy, WSCR’s parent company, didn’t elaborate further.

Edison: In-Car Radio Listening Returns To Pre-Pandemic Levels

The Infinite Dial 2025, an annual survey tracking U.S. digital media consumption, found that 74% of Americans aged 18+ who had driven or ridden in a car in the past month used AM/FM radio in-car. 

This figure, highlighted in an Edison Research suggests a robust return to pre-pandemic norms for in-car radio listening. Pre-COVID data from Edison’s Share of Ear study (2016-2019) showed in-car listening accounting for 49% of all AM/FM consumption among adults 25-54, a share that dipped during pandemic lockdowns—hitting 41% in Q4 2021—before rebounding to 50% by Q3 2023. The 74% reach in 2025 indicates not just a recovery but sustained dominance, aligning with historical Infinite Dial trends (e.g., 82% in 2018, 73% in 2022).

This resurgence reflects commuting patterns normalizing post-COVID, with radio benefiting from its built-in presence in vehicles—nearly all cars have AM/FM receivers, unlike the 40% with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (33% actively used, per Infinite Dial 2025). Radio’s free, live, and local appeal contrasts with the 55% of drivers also using online audio (e.g., Spotify, podcasts), showing it holds ground even as digital options grow.

The finding ties to broader audio trends—like the Opry 100 special’s 5.3 million viewers on March 19, 2025, or Nashville’s influence in the IFPI’s 2025 Global Music Report—where traditional media retains cultural pull. For radio, it’s a validation of its role as a default in-car companion, even as podcasts (32% in-car use in 2022) and online audio chip away at its share. The “back to pre-pandemic levels” claim likely nods to this restored equilibrium, with radio’s reach and resilience echoing pre-2020 patterns despite a shifting audio landscape.

Global Music Report: Radio Relevance Endures

The 2025 Global Music Report from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), was released this week. Several highlights have clear implications for radio-oriented trends, especially given radio’s enduring relevance in music consumption (e.g., 74% in-car usage per Edison’s Infinite Dial 2025). 

Drawing from the report’s broader findings and contextualizing them for radio, here’s what stands out:

Streaming Dominance Meets Physical Resilience: Global recorded music revenues grew 9.8% in 2024 to $30.4 billion, with paid streaming subscriptions (up 10.5% to $15.8 billion) driving 51% of the total. However, physical formats like vinyl (up 4.2%) and CDs still contributed $4.7 billion. For radio, this dual trend suggests a continued role as a discovery platform—streaming fuels on-demand listening, but radio’s live, curated appeal (think Opry 100’s 5.3 million viewers) keeps it vital for exposing hits that later stream or sell physically.

Performance Rights Growth: The report highlights a 6.1% rise in performance rights revenue to $2.9 billion, reflecting income from broadcasts, including radio airplay. This underscores radio’s ongoing economic importance to artists and labels, especially in markets where AM/FM remains a primary channel (e.g., U.S. and Canada, 41% of global revenue). Radio’s ability to generate royalties keeps it a key player, even as streaming takes the revenue lead.

Genre Fluidity and Nashville’s Rise: Nashville’s growing influence, as noted in the report, ties to artists like Morgan Wallen and Jelly Roll blending country with pop and hip-hop, dominating streaming charts. Radio, particularly country and Top 40 formats, amplifies this trend—Wallen’s “Heartless” or Post Malone’s Opry appearance signal how stations can bridge traditional airplay with streaming-driven crossover appeal, shaping what IFPI calls a “globally interconnected” industry.

Live Music Synergy: The Opry 100 special’s success (5.3 million viewers on March 19, 2025) aligns with the report’s nod to live music’s resurgence post-COVID. Radio stations often partner with such events—think iHeartRadio broadcasts or local tie-ins—boosting artist visibility and driving listeners to both airwaves and streams. The report’s 9.8% revenue growth partly reflects this interplay, with radio as a promotional linchpin.

2025 Infinite Dial Report from Edison Research

Regional Radio Strength: While streaming led growth globally, regions like Asia (down 2.8% in physical sales) and Latin America (up 17.3%) show varied consumption habits. Radio’s stronghold in car-heavy markets (U.S., Japan) or emerging ones (Brazil, Mexico) complements streaming’s rise, offering free access that the IFPI notes still matters—67% of global revenue is streaming, but radio fills gaps where subscriptions lag.

Though the report focuses heavily on streaming (615 million paid users), radio’s relevance shines through indirectly via performance rights and its cultural tie to events like the Opry’s milestone. X posts around the report’s release praise Nashville’s radio-friendly acts, suggesting stations remain a tastemaker, even if the IFPI emphasizes digital metrics. For radio, the takeaway is adaptability—leveraging its live, local edge to stay essential in a $30.4 billion industry increasingly shaped by on-demand platforms.

Milwaukee Radio: Jon Adler Out At WLUM

Jon Adler

Jon Adler, a longtime morning radio personality in Milwaukee, has parted ways with WLUM-FM (102.1), an alternative rock station branded as "FM 102/1," after nearly 20 years on the air. 

Adler joined the station in March 2006, initially co-hosting the morning show with Brian Kramp as part of the "Kramp and Adler" duo. This transition coincided with the station’s shift back to an alternative rock format from a rock-leaning "New Rock 102.1." Following Kramp’s departure in 2013, Adler continued hosting the morning slot solo, becoming a familiar voice to listeners during the 6-10 a.m. weekday drive time.

His exit was attributed to budget cuts rather than performance issues. Adler himself noted the reason in a public statement, emphasizing that his 19 years and 4 days at the station were filled with enjoyment, thanks to supportive listeners and the team at the Milwaukee Radio Alliance, which operates WLUM in partnership with All-Pro Broadcasting and Shamrock Broadcasting. 

FCC May Veto Deals If Parties Have DEI Policies

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr signaled a significant policy shift by stating that the FCC is prepared to block mergers and acquisitions (M&A) involving companies that maintain what he calls “invidious” diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. 

The stance, reported by Bloomberg, aligns with broader efforts under the Trump administration to dismantle DEI initiatives across both government and private sectors.

Carr’s position emerged amid reviews of high-profile deals, including Paramount Global’s merger with Skydance Media—potentially linked to CBS Mornings’ parent company—and Verizon Communications Inc.’s $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications Parent Inc. In an interview, Carr explicitly warned, “Any businesses that are looking for FCC approval, I would encourage them to get busy ending any sort of their invidious forms of DEI discrimination.” 

He argues that such policies violate the Communications Act, which mandates the FCC to regulate communications without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, or sex, and deprive Americans of equal treatment under the law.

This move builds on Carr’s earlier actions since taking the FCC helm in January 2025. He’s already eliminated the FCC’s own DEI programs, including its Diversity Task Force and advisory council, citing a Trump executive order from January 20, 2025, titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.” 

Lawsuit Claims Trump Illegally Shutdown Voice of America

A lawsuit filed late Friday, March 21, 2025, in U.S. District Court in New York accuses the Trump administration of illegally shutting down Voice of America (VOA). 

Filed by VOA reporters, Reporters Without Borders, and unions, it claims the administration—via the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and adviser Kari Lake—halted operations by furloughing 900 employees, terminating 550 contractors, and freezing funds, silencing VOA’s global broadcasts. 

The plaintiffs argue this violates First Amendment rights and legal protections, seeking a federal court order to restore the outlet. 

The move follows criticism from Trump allies labeling VOA biased, with broader impacts hitting sister networks like Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, amid a growing legal fight over U.S.-funded media as of March 22, 2025.

Trump Calls Out CNN and MSNBC

President Donald Trump has again seized the opportunity to once again criticize one of his most frequent targets: the mainstream news media. In a lengthy diatribe Friday during a press event, the president specifically called out cable news channels CNN and MSNBC, accusing them of fabricating stories and engaging in dishonest reporting.

Trump went so far as to predict that the networks' allegedly declining ratings would soon lead to their demise, suggesting that they would be "turned off" as a result of their poor performance.

Despite his harsh critique, Trump acknowledged the importance of truthful reporting, stating, "We do need honest journalism." He went on to claim that significant progress had been made in the past two months, but lamented that the lack of integrity in journalism continued to hinder further advancements. "When you have CNN — you have to watch these people every once in a while just to see where they are coming from, and it’s so dishonest," Trump remarked. "MSNBC is I think probably worse. They are both doing horribly in the ratings. I think they’re going to be turned off. They’re not doing any ratings."

TV Ratings: Opry Celebration Viewed by 5.3M

"Opry 100: A Live Celebration" a three-hour television special that premiered live on Wednesday at 8 p.m. EDT, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry, a cornerstone of country music since its radio debut in 1925.

Hosted by Opry member and country star Blake Shelton, the event aired simultaneously on NBC and Peacock, drawing a combined 5.3 million viewers according to Nielsen live-plus-same-day figures and NBCUniversal’s internal data, making it the most-watched program of the night.

The special, broadcast from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville with additional performances at the historic Ryman Auditorium, featured a star-studded lineup of country music legends and current artists.

Performers included Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Vince Gill, Trisha Yearwood, Keith Urban, Luke Combs, and newer acts like Post Malone and Lainey Wilson, alongside special appearances by icons like Randy Travis and Barbara Mandrell. 

The show blended live performances with tributes to country music’s past, honoring figures like Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, and George Jones through songs such as “I Will Always Love You” and “Hurricane.” Highlights included Underwood’s tribute to Travis—who famously invited her to join the Opry in 2008—and a gospel-infused segment with The War and Treaty, Amy Grant, and Yolanda Adams, reflecting the genre’s roots.

Beyond the music, the event traced the Opry’s century-long history, spotlighting its evolution from a radio barn dance to a global stage, including its time at the Ryman, dubbed the “Mother Church of Country Music.” 

The 5.3 million viewership underscores the Opry’s enduring appeal, outpacing typical primetime fare.

Global Music Reports Highlights Nashville's Influence

The 2025 Global Music Report, released by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) this week, underscores Nashville’s rising influence on global music industry trends, spotlighting its evolution beyond its traditional country music roots. 

The Tennessean reports a 9.8% growth in global recorded music revenues for 2024, reaching $30.4 billion, driven largely by a 10.5% surge in paid streaming subscriptions (now at 615 million users worldwide). 

Nashville’s contribution shines through its expanding footprint in this digital boom. The city, long dubbed “Music City,” is no longer just a country music hub—its influence now spans pop, rock, hip-hop, and Americana, fueled by a blend of legacy institutions like the Grand Ole Opry and a thriving independent scene. The IFPI report, per Marcus Dowling’s analysis, points to Nashville’s artists and studios driving streaming gains, with acts like Post Malone and Lainey Wilson bridging country with broader genres, boosting global playlists.

Podcast Fandom Is Growing and Deepening

The "Fandom Phenomenon" white paper is a research study that explores the growing influence and power of podcast fans, emphasizing how this medium has evolved from a niche interest to a mainstream cultural force.

The study delves into how podcast listeners transform into passionate fans, forming deep emotional connections with hosts and driving engagement that benefits both creators and brands. It notes that podcasts are no longer a fringe medium—33% of some unspecified population (likely a surveyed group, possibly global or regional) now engages with them regularly, per the post. This aligns with broader audio trends, like the Edison Research Infinite Dial 2025 finding that 74% of U.S. drivers use AM/FM radio in-car, suggesting podcasts are carving out a complementary space in audio consumption.

The white paper builds on the idea that fandom in podcasts mirrors dynamics seen in other media, such as the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary special (5.3 million viewers on March 19, 2025) or Nashville’s genre-blending influence in the IFPI’s 2025 Global Music Report. It emphasizes how fans don’t just passively listen—they actively promote shows, share content, and even influence brand partnerships through their loyalty.

Fox & Friends Highlights National Down Syndrome Day

In honor of National Down Syndrome Day, FOX & Friends Weekend co-host Rachel Campos Duffy and her daughter Valentina, who was born with Down Syndrome, joined FOX & Friends Friday morning to reflect on the day. Rachel emphasized that Valentina is the foundation of her family of 11 and known to everyone as the family favorite.

She shares her experience raising Valentina and provides advice for parents who are fearful when first learning of their child’s syndrome.

R.I.P.: George Foreman, Boxing Legend, Iconic TV Commercial Pitchman

George Foreman, the legendary two-time heavyweight boxing champion and iconic TV commercial pitchman, passed away on Friday at the age of 76. 

His family announced the news in a heartfelt statement on Instagram, saying, "Our hearts are broken. With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr., who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025, surrounded by loved ones." No specific cause of death has been officially disclosed at this time.

Foreman’s remarkable life spanned an extraordinary boxing career and a successful second act as a businessman and personality. 

Born in Texas, he rose from a troubled youth to win an Olympic gold medal in 1968 at age 19. Turning professional, he claimed the heavyweight title in 1973 by knocking out Joe Frazier in a stunning upset, defending it twice before losing it to Muhammad Ali in the legendary "Rumble in the Jungle" in 1974.

 After retiring in 1977 and becoming an ordained minister, Foreman made a stunning comeback in 1987. In 1994, at the age of 45, he reclaimed the heavyweight title by knocking out Michael Moorer, becoming the oldest heavyweight champion in history.

Beyond the ring, Foreman became a household name as the pitchman for the George Foreman Grill, a lean, mean grilling machine that sold over 100 million units worldwide.  His warm, jovial persona endeared him to millions, and his entrepreneurial success added to his legacy as a cultural icon. 

Tributes from the sports world, including figures like Charles Barkley and Magic Johnson, poured in after his passing, celebrating his contributions to boxing and beyond. Foreman leaves behind his wife, Mary Joan Martelly, and 12 children, including five sons all named George.

R.I.P.: Bob Davis, Iconic KU, MLB Sports Voice

Bob Davis, the legendary "Voice of the Jayhawks" for more than 30 years, has passed away at the age of 80, his family announced Friday.

Davis, who began his KU career in 1984 and retired in 2016, was at the microphone for some of the most iconic moments in Kansas Athletics history. 

"Bob Davis is synonymous with Kansas Athletics for generations of fans, who grew up listening to his calls of some of the most important moments in KU history," Director of Athletics Travis Goff said. "Bob's love and passion of the Jayhawks shined through during the broadcast with his beloved radio partners. For more than three decades, Bob represented Kansas Athletics in exemplary fashion and connected Jayhawk fans everywhere with his famous one-liners and detailed storytelling. 

"We send our deepest love and prayers to his family and will forever be grateful for his service to KU."

In the spring of 1984, Davis was hired as the "Voice of the Jayhawks" where he would work alongside Max Falkenstein in the broadcast booth. Davis' voice is the soundtrack of many of KU's most memorable games, as he called eight Jayhawk trips to the Final Four, six KU football bowl games, including the 2008 Orange Bowl, and thousands of regular season basketball and football games before his retirement in the spring of 2016.

Davis was also on the call for the 1988 and 2008 men's basketball national championship victories. 

"We lost a KU legend in Bob Davis, who was the voice of the Jayhawks for decades," Kansas Coach Bill Self said. "Bob was not only superior at his craft, but he was also a terrific, humble and unselfish person that gave so much of himself to so many. Our hearts go out to the entire family, especially with his wonderful wife Linda passing just last week." 

Davis launched his legendary broadcast career in 1968 when Hired by KAYS in Hays, Kansas and began his broadcasting career during the summer of 1968 calling American Legion baseball. In addition to his KU role, Davis called the NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four for CBS Radio six times in 1990, 1992 and 1994-97. Also, in 1997, Davis joined the Kansas City Royals as well, calling games for radio and television for the franchise for 16 years. 

Davis earned numerous accolades for his work. He was named the Kansas Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sports Writers Association in 2015, marking the 14th time he had earned the honor since 1975. Davis was also named the two-time recipient of the Oscar Stauffer Sports Broadcasting Award by the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) in 1975 and 1978.