The Nightside — 34 Years @ The Oasis

It’s September 4th, 1989, Labor Day and it’s my first air shift at KUVO. I worked overnight and went to work in a wrecking yard after that. I wanted the gig bad, really bad…playing Jazz on the coolest radio station EVER!

It was the year we lost Roy Eldridge, Arnette Cobb, Phineas Newborn and Woody Shaw. Bobby McFerrin won the Grammy Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Don’t Worry Be Happy” I didn’t, I was.

The Broncos clinched their 3rd AFC title in four years by defeating the Seattle Seahawks. Gas was $ 1.06 a gallon. The Pat Metheny Group released “Letter From Home”

Hugh Masekela released “Uptownship.” Tom Harrell released “Sail Away.” The Polish and Hungarian revolutions helped break the Iron Curtain.

The first cut I played was LOUD!

Jon Faddis with “Into the Faddisphere.” I followed it up with Rahsaan Roland Kirk’s “Theme For the Eulipions” which featured a poem by Betty Neals of the same name. She spoke of “Journey Agents…Eulipions.”

Carlos Lando called me while driving with the 1989 version of a cell phone. It was my first call from a cell phone…ever. Carlos told me I was “making good radio”

I’ve been trying real hard ever since to make good radio!

Join Andy O’ on Sunday, September 3 from 9 to midnight for my 34th anniversary on the Nightside (half of my 68 years on the planet).

Let’s make good radio!

Picture credit: Andy O’ and Christian McBride in 1994 taken by Susan Gatchet

Stay connected to KUVO’s programs and our community! Sign up for the Oasis E-News today!