Brad Barton

This picture of Brenda and me was taken by the Dallas Morning News in August, 2009 after being fired by KRLD (CBS Radio) from a career of 31 years, 4 months and 3 days.

Having spent more than half my life at KRLD, it's obviously a big part of my bio, but I'll start a little earlier. Born in Wichita, Kansas, the heart of Tornado Alley, graduated from East High, Vennard College, Mississippi State University.

My entire family was involved in music. I became a church organist at the age of 12. I wasn't very good, but I was the only one they had. Eventually, I became the stadium organist for the Wichita Aeros in AAA baseball for two seasons. It was a blast.

In high school, I sang in "The Good Life" during the summer of 1973. We toured dozens of churches in the Western U.S. and recorded an album in Phoenix. Since then, I've been a church organist, pianist, choral director, music director, composer and arranger. I was also privileged to produce a gospel quartet album with Reggie Rueffer, Andy Justice, Mike Rhodes and David Sawyer.

My first radio job was at KARD FM in Wichita as a general announcer and newscaster for a weekend shift. I worked for KBOE in Oskaloosa, Iowa during part of my College stint at Vennard. It was a general-purpose local AM/FM simulcaster that was a step back in time. We used a 1950's vintage Gates board, an RCA 66DX, clunky cart machines, real turntables and a 101-track "Spotmaster," the only one I ever saw. We used two generations of Maggies (Magnecord) reel-to-reel recorders, including the one that threaded over the top. We did live jocking, live production of paid church programs, races, basketball and football games. It was the kind of experience I wish all broadcasters could start out with. From there, I worked at KWBB 1410 in a local All News format. It was incredibly demanding and stressful, but extremely valuable in developing my news chops including, spot news, writing and editing. From there, to KARN and the Arkansas Radio Network. Not as demanding, but more refined with great network anchoring experience. I spent several hours getting to know a young Attorney General who lit up every room he walked into- Bill Clinton. From there, I finally made the big-time: Dallas and KRLD. I served in every news staffer position at least once, and often multiple times. I was Paul Harvey's field editor twice. I met met many political and show-business luminaries who passed through our studios including Ross Perot, Danny Thomas, Art Linkletter and Halle Berry.

I was acting News Director 3 or 4 times between permanent news directors. I anchored Morning Drive twice, flew traffic reports morning and evening, won awards and respect as the senior staffer. I was honored with proclamations from Dallas and Fort Worth City officials on the occasion of my 30th anniversary.

Less than a year and a half later, I was called upstairs and told my 40% pay cut I had agreed to would not be enough. It was cut 100%. In 15 minutes, I went from highest-paid anchor, meteorologist, senior staffer and commercial endorser to unemployed. Five other senior staffers at or near the top of their professions were also fired the same day, for the same reason. We made too much money.

Two months to the day after I was told I was no longer needed, I walked into the incredible (Disney-built) studios of WBAP. Older, richer and much more popular than KRLD, it's the most fun I've had in broadcasting in decades. KRLD is a radio station. WBAP is an institution. The difference in attitude, facilities and audience is staggering. More later.