If there was a Kris Rowberry producing "The Valley That Was" in 2022, this would be the episode. And speaking of which, I dedicate my blog almost in the format of his voice, but consisting of my own take on local country music on the radio.
Randy Jones was certainly a guy that loves Silicon Valley and the national country music scene ever since he joined local country music radio station KRTY in 1999 at their former building on Story Road, in the present-day Little Saigon neighborhood of San Jose. At the time, Empire Broadcasting was (and still is) one of the very few local independent small broadcasting companies around headed by Bob Kieve, who he passed away the year before. Back in the days, when Silicon Valley news was available on the radio as KLIV, there were numerous news personalities like Kim Vestal (now at KCBS radio doing traffic), Kris Rowberry, George Sampson, and many others helming local news. On the country music end, there is Gary Scott Thomas (Alabama native residing in South San Jose), Tony Michaels, "Indiana Al" Breiten, Michael Moore, and others. The news that Randy Jones passed away on November 29, 2021 was a surprise to the local broadcast industry that knew him at community events around Santa Clara County. Randy's bio on KRTY's website reminds all of us who listens to his show that he thanks all of his listeners for tuning in to his show on KRTY in between the morning and afternoon commutes.
While country music is not necessarily in my blood, I find those acceptable to many people living in rural areas of Gilroy, Morgan Hill, and San Martin. There are many characteristics of the southern part of Silicon Valley that is definitely ripe for tuning in to country music on the radio, and KRTY is certainly the dial. No known call letters have existed of what KRTY stands for, but could those call letters mean "Radio CounTrY"? That's only my guess, but I'll let the guys at KRTY say that. There is one thing for sure: Randy does know our communities in Santa Clara County from Gilroy to Los Altos, and from Los Gatos to Milpitas. I may not have met Randy before in person, but I did hear him on the radio dials from time to time when on the road. I do often have a hard time tuning in on my home's radio if I want to hear Randy's voice (and others), but online listening on the mobile website is my next best thing, given the technology many like myself have today.
Kris Rowberry certainly knew Randy when I read his social media post, and often would chat during breaks just a couple of doors between within the former KRTY and KLIV studios on Story Road. I wish that I would love to hear Kris talk about KRTY's announcement of Randy's passing on the same dial, which his past stories are available on YouTube. Those days, however, social media have a lot of reach potential since the beginnings, and thus are reflected in an individual feed's viewing.
Randy Jones will be best remembered for lending his own local country voice on the radio, although not as extensive as Gary Scott Thomas on the morning show. He certainly made announcements on local events where he plans to be around the local community, and that too will be miss. Until next time, Randy Jones, may you rest in peace.
And until next time, I'll see you on social media, whether on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Just look for me on those below.
Kyle Chak
Email: chak595301@gmail.com
On Social Media: @KyleSChak
