Saturday, September 23, 2006

VOICE OF KSMU RETIRES

Mike Smith, the director of news for public radio station KSMU, retires next week after 25 years of work.

A reception will be held at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27 at Plaster Student Union on the Missouri State University campus. It'll be in the Union Club, Room 400.

Smith doesn't like to think of himself as "the voice of KSMU." But longtime listeners of the station know it's a fact.

We have several war stories to tell on the man. Do you?

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, this is a mish-mash of an editorial. I read it twice and still didn't get it. Around these parts it's all about fundamentalism and abortion is at the bottom of the opposition. So what's wrong with questions that get to that bottom?

It's sad to see that the reporters are so scientifically illiterate that they don't bother going into some of the outrageous lies being foisted by the anti's. Such as adult stem cells have the same therapeutic potential as embryonic stem cells. This is flatly false. And asking a question about when does life begin requires so much splitting of hairs that it belongs in a beauty salon rather than a public discussion.

The thrust of the opponents is: That 8 year old girl has diabetetes? Tough crap. Let her die. Let God take her into his tender graces. You know, the same tender graces that VD(J) showed yesterday when he said that christian churches should start kicking out people who don't believe the way he does.

Religious arrogance to presume to have all answers from ones narrow theological position is - and has been in the past - one of the most evil forces on the face of the planet. That sort of evil face can be seen on Keyes, Scarbrough, and VD(J).

I know that there is no God because if there were, He would have whispered in their ear long ago that She was going to send them all to hell for their sins of cruelty to their fellow man.

Anonymous said...

I have always enjoyed, been amused and will miss the pronunciation Mr. Smith gives to the word "President".

As in "Preeesident Bush..." or" Preeesident Keiser".

Gold.

Anonymous said...

Well, obviously the above comment belongs on the entry below. I took three different ties to even get it in at all ... Ronbo ... dumpo ... whatever that beta version it is of whatever ... it's a pain ... and that's why you are getting so many anons ...

Anonymous said...

In addition to the unique way he says "president", didn't Smith once have a heart attack- while live on the air?

Anonymous said...

I thought I was the only one who thought Mr. Smith stretched out words. He's a bunch better than the kid who sounds airy and weird doing community annoucements.

Regardless... Mr. Smith's timbre and delivery have surely kept numerous Ozark reeeeeeeeesidents informed through the years.

Good luck, Mr. Smith, for a happy retirement.

A regular listener.

Anonymous said...

He had the heart attack before he went on the air. Before he went to the station, as a matter of fact. He did his breaks and called ahead to the hospital. Thoughtful guy.

Anonymous said...

I really like him on air... he's interestingly dry in a very appealing way. He's informative and ethical. Plus his wife is very nice. Can't imagine him retiring ... why?

Anonymous said...

Mike was my first boss in radio. He put me on the air when I couldn't get a job in the smaller markets (Lebanon for instance). I thought he was hard to work for at the time, but I've since had worse bosses.

Happy retirement, Mike! We'll miss that voice.

Anonymous said...

Mike Smith has been, and always will be, the voice of public radio in the Ozarks. Steady, sincere and always as though he was talking with you rather than at you. And "Seldom Heard Music"? What would Saturday night be without it? At least I know I'll always be able to catch him at Casper's or the St. Patrick's Day Parade!

Anonymous said...

OK Ron, you opened the door just a crack and we'll leave it right there. I've known Mike since 1979 and can tell many, many more war stories than the years that have flown by. Details will not be divulged here but let it be known that Mike is and will remain the closest thing to a lifelong friend I'll ever have. He has always been the consummate professional at KSMU. There's a lot more. Like snowballs, Pig Roasts (multiple), St. Patty's parades, fountains, rivers, road trips, golf excursions, as well as shared radio experiences. But, thoses stories...maybe another time. Or not.

Anonymous said...

Colonel Mike, the airwaves won't be the same. Good luck with your golf game, and may happiness follow you everywhere.

You are simply the best.

Barber Pole

Duane k said...

I thought I was the only one who laughed when he would say preeeeesident, or vice-preeeeessident.

Ron Davis said...

Duane: Phonetics, man. You mean "prehhh-sident." Mike would never say "preee-sident." Either way, admit it: Both of us would kill for pipes like that.