Walt Bodine got his first radio job in 1940 and has been on the radio pretty much ever since.

Throughout much of Walt's career, if a broadcast was recorded at all, it was recorded on tape that cost-conscious station management was always trying to reuse. But thanks to a number of helpful engineers — and thanks to the Marr Sound Archives at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where Walt’s rescued tape resides — some of this historic material has survived.

We’ve gathered clips that demonstrate both the range of Walt’s work and the changing nature of the medium. Where no tape exists, we've let Walt tell the story himself.

A Rough Start
KDRO Sedalia, Mo. 1940

Learning the Ropes
KVAK Atchison, Kan., KPAC Port Arthur, Tex., KCKN Kansas City, Kan. 1940-46

A Job in the City
WDAF Kansas City, Mo. 1947-65

Announcer, Reporter, Anchor, Talk Show Host
"Conversation" with Jean Glenn
"Insight" with Bill Leeds (simultaneously broadcast on WDAF-TV)

Mr. Nitebeat
WHB Kansas City, Mo. 1965-74

"Nitebeat"
"Sunday Town Hall"

King of the Talk Shows
KMBZ Kansas City, Mo. 1978-82

"The Walt Bodine Show"
(no material available)

Going Public
KCUR Kansas City, Mo. 1983 - present

"The Walt Bodine Show"