I worked at KDWN Radio 720AM in Las Vegas from January-September, 1979.  While there I also filed reports to the Associated Press Radio Network. The 'cuts' you hear are many of my reports, the vast majority carried on the national network with some carried on the regional network.  There are also two 'cuts' that were carried on the national AP feature series Project Portfolio and Project Weekend - James Doohan Star Trek and Suicide (a two-parter).  The only recording I don't have is of the 48 hour jail hostage siege from September, 1979 (we were packing to move back to Chicago when it happened and I wasn't at the station to record my feeds).  AP gave me a bonus for my work and asked me to continue feeding them stories after I got back to Chicago.

AP KDWN Tarkanian Friend Shot

AP KDWN Skylab Odds AP Network Newscast

AP KDWN Presidential Election Odds

AP KDWN James Doohan Star Trek I Feature

My brother, Rick, was a big jazz music fan.  And he had a jazz show on WSIU-FM at Southern Illinois University Carbondale when he went there in 1966-67.  This is a capsulated file of one of his last shows he ever did on the station before he was killed by a drunk driver this (1st week in April) week in 1967.  In summer of 1970, I followed in his footsteps as a broadcasting major at SIU Carbondale.

Rick Badesch Jazz And You WSIU FM

I was asked to record the audio for the promotional spots for the City Club of Chicago that aired during WTTW-TV Chicago Tonight programs.  These ran for nearly 3 years before they were re-recorded with new video by another talent.  At some point, I'll figure out how to post the video spot on youtube.

City Club Of Chicago 30 Spot

I had the pleasure of interviewing Dinah Shore in her dressing room in Las Vegas during one of her performances.  Here's that interview

Dinah Shore Interview Las Vegas

My audition for a fill-in news anchor at WNUA FM Chicago (got the job but left for a full-time teaching job) 1996.

Roger Badesch WNUA FM Audition

My first full-time teaching job at Downers Grove North High School as the radio,TV, English teacher and sponsor of the school radio station WDGC-FM.  It was a one year position.  I worked with the students to bring the radio station to a new level of professionalism and I think we accomplished great things.  I took to the airwaves during exam week at the end of the year to 'play DJ'.  This is that broadcast.

Roger Badesch WDGC FM Downers Grove HS

Our first grandchild was born during one of my shifts at WGN-AM Radio in Chicago.  The hospital was a few blocks from the station and I went over to be with the family for our grand daughter's birth.  I then came back to the station for the rest of my overnight shift at the news anchor desk.  Spent the rest of the morning talking about it with hosts Nick Digilio and Brian Noonan.  This is part one with Nick.

Roger Badesch Becomes A Grandpa Part 1

Morning news anchor at KBMI-AM Las Vegas in 1977.  Station was an affiliate of the NBC News and Information network, which ceased existence by the end of 1978.  Local ownership also had KFMS-FM which was an automated CHR station using Century 21 format.  It also was Las Vegas outlet for Casey Kasem's American Top 40 program.  Worked there twice while in Las Vegas eventually becoming news and public affairs director.

Roger Badesch KBMI - AM Las Vegas Newscast 1977 A

*SORRY FOR THE BACKGROUND HUM*

Public affairs interview show on WKQX-FM Chicago with news director Frank Beaman and city hall reporter Roger Badesch with Mayor Jane Byrne.

WKQX - FM Mayor Byrne Interview Frank Beaman Roger Badesch 1981

WGN Radio - John Landecker program 10/9/2020
John and Roger talk about Roger's French Poet bits when John was working at another radio station in the mid 80s and Roger was working at Chicago city hall.

WGN Radio John Landecker Roger Badesch 10/09/2020

From the upcoming audio book of the 2020 Chicago Writers Association Book of the Year finalist autobiography of WGN Radio news anchor Roger Badesch.  This is a segment from Chapter 7 which recounts being trapped on Chicago's Lake Shore Drive during the blizzard of 2011.

The UnPlanned Life Chapter 7 Segment

WGN Radio Chicago (wgnradio.com) news anchor since 2005; Emmy winner; 2020 Chicago Writers Association Book of the Year finalist (https://eckhartzpress.com/shop/the-unplanned-life/); cancer survivor; retired high school teacher; former mayoral press aide Chicago mayors Jane Byrne & Harold Washington; former advertising & public relations director Gloria Jean’s Gourmet Coffee; and much more (it’s in the book!)

TeacherRB

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