What is the saying? All Good things must end? This Friday will mark the end of a tradition in Ozark Mountain Country. The Steve and Janet Show will sign off of the final time.
For 22 years Branson area folks have been waking up to Steve Willoughby and Janet Ellis on KRZK. They have kept us entertained and informed. They have laughed with us and yes, even cried with us. They have been on the air during triumph and tragedy in our area and our country. Branson has seen a lot of changes in the last 2 plus decades. But, one constant has been Steve and Janet.
Janet was new to radio when she started at the radio station. She had spent the media portion of her career in television. And, not always in front of the camera. The Elk City, Oklahoma native was producing a local morning television show immediately before joining the staff at KRZK.
Steve on the other hand, is a local guy; a Galena High School Graduate and a School of the Ozarks alum. He made a career in radio not only on the air but in management as well. He served as the stations Sales Manager and General Manager as well as various other entities during his time with Orr and Earls and later Earls Family Broadcasting.
The two are vastly different but those differences helped them CLICK. Steve playing the rougher edged sarcastic chair and Janet settling into the sweet and lovable role. But if you listened to them for any length of time you would know that in reality those roles can be easily be flipped.
At this point you might be saying, yes this is all true and we will miss Steve and Janet. But what does that have to do with you and sports? Well actually more than you might think. They have both had a role to play in my career of sports in the area.
Steve, actually hired me for my first media job. It was an internship in the sales department at, then, Orr and Earls Broadcasting (KOMC/KRZK). He trained me and exposed me to the whole world of radio. That whole world included the introduction the Scott McCaulley and eventually a gig alongside Scott doing local Sports. He has done nothing but encourage me since that day.
I actually met and worked with Janet before she got into radio. She was a producer at TV-5 when I was hired to help produce and develop a local sports magazine show. The two life-long Sooner fans hit it off pretty quick. And, like Steve, has been greatly supportive.
I had the pleasure of being on with them a number of times. Whether I was filling in for Scott on sports or even just talking about Reeds Spring Football they have always been great to work with. Janet will be staying, but Steve is moving on. But, you may still hear from him as he will continue to help area folks through his media business.
Thanks Steve and Janet. It has been an incredible run. Steve used to talk to us about passion. That you have to have passion for what you do. Well, these two clearly have passion for what they have been doing and it showed. It is sad to see the show come to an end but when you think about it 22 years, is quite a run……….
The station has had a long running series called Ozark Mountain Gems…. And that is exactly what Steve and Janet has been to me and to this area… a pair of real OZARK MOUNTAIN GEMS.
