Gary Shannon — 38 Years in Radio and Counting

As of Christmas day, I will have been in this crazy business for 38 years. I still remember when I was a rookie. The earth cooled and the dinosaurs died that year.

It was Christmas morning 38 years ago that I got a call from Jay Roberts (The Morning Mayor) offering me a job at KLOU. I had no idea that I would be in this business as long as I have.

What a family we had at KLOU. I worked with Jay, Ron Riley (who is still a close friend) Michael G. Adams, Tommy Maldanado and the late Steve Ryder. It really was like family. We got into all kinds of trouble together.

I've been very fortunate to have worked at some pretty cool places along the way.

In addition to KLOU right here in Lake Charles, I've worked in Dallas, Chicago and Austin. Granted, as far as job quality goes, it's been a real mixed bag. There are a few jobs I'd just as soon forget, but for the most part, it's been fun.

I moved back to the Lake Area about 15 years ago and it's become by home. Despite the fact that I'm not a native of Louisiana, folks here have made me feel right at home. I've made some of the best friends of my life right here in the Lake Charles area.

I can't tell you how much fun it is to work at 92.9 The Lake. Without a doubt the best audience I've ever experienced.

I don't plan to retire anytime soon, so I hope to be right here for years to come. While management may have other ideas (I hope not) I plan to stick around here until I retire.

Thanks so much for making my job fun. I really am a very lucky man.

Here are a few pics from my very varied career.

I don't know the exact year on this one. It had to be the mid-70's. I do know it was taken at Contraband Days. It's from my 'Serpico' years.

This one was snapped at the old KLOU studios on Alamo Street. It's from my 'George Harrison' years

I was at KLOU when this one was taken. In fact, it may have been taken the day I was offered the job at KLOU. Gotta love the sweater!

This is me when I had a syndicated show on ABC Radio Network. That's George Peppard (The A-Team) with me. Very nice guy. He passed away just a few months after this picture was taken.

Again, thanks for making the past 15 years so great!