Should have put more water in his soup, maybe.

From UCIMC.org, via WILL AM580:

Sad News: Local Radio Personality "Oldtimer" Kent McConkey Dies

Longtime country music enthusiast and radio personality Kent McConkey dies last night. Known as the "Oldtimer," McConkey was a regular DJ on both WEFT and WWHP and was know for his down home style, as well as a wide circle of listerners who called in requests to him. He will be missed.


This is, coincidentally, WEFT pledge drive week. I heard the news during the local break on NPR, All Things Considered.

When I first moved to town I used to lie on my bed and listen to the Old Timer on Saturday nights on WEFT. He cracked me up. I was lying there one night during WEFT pledge week, and the Prairie Dogs were playing outside the station. The Old Timer was going on, "Come on, neighbor, light up those phones, let me know you're out there!" and I decided to just go on down there and drop off a pledge. It was when I was just starting to come out of my shell a little bit, and the idea of just getting in my car and driving to a radio station and seeing a band and a crazy, wobbly old DJ seemed like high advneture, indeed. I kind of think of that as the start of the turnaround for me, when I started to be more out in the world instead of lying on my bed listening to records on Saturday nights.

He thanked me kindly and proceeded to tell the radio audience how "Roberta" had just come right to the station with a pledge, and they should do just like "Roberta" did. I didn't correct him. But from then on I'd call in every once in a while and tell him Roberta was listening.



On behalf of the Old Timer, Kent McConkey: Don't forget, put more water in your soup, milk in your gravy, and syrup on your pancakes. You'll be alright.