Les Cummings is the Dean of Aberdeen Radio! How long has Les been on the local airwaves, anyway? I first discovered him at the age of 18 as I scanned the dial in search of new stations. My current age is 54, so that means Les has been behind the microphone for quite some time!
This exhibit actually contains two airchecks, recorded approximately 3 months apart. The first is from November, 1982. The second dates back to February, 1983. I used Scotch Dynarange tape (normal bias) for #1 and TDK SA90 (chrome bias) tape for #2. Listen closely and you can hear the difference in audio quality. My Dynarange was actually “eaten” by a tape player at some point. This explains the audio dropouts near the end of the first recording.
I received this from Apple Valley, MN, using a Pioneer SX-3900 receiver, Winegard 10 element FM yagi antenna, Alliance rotor, and Belden ultra low loss RG59 coaxial cable. Despite being about 300 miles from Aberdeen, I was able to hear KQ95 on a regular basis. Long distance FM reception was much easier before all the “drop-in” stations and translators popped up on every supposedly “open” frequency. A Technics stereo cassette deck was used to make the recording.
KQAA_FM_Les_Cummings_November_1982_February_1983
Thank you for the air checks of KSDN’s Les Cummings. My time working for “The Mighty 93” (930 AM) was short – just from June through August of 1980. I worked news and farm news. KSDN’s format was rock and roll, but with all the stuff required by the FCC.
We had news each hour, farm news, sports and weather, with a big news block in the morning, at noon and around supper time. The network was as ABC Radio, so we carried Paul Harvey News and Comment along with The Rest of the Story.
Les was working afternoons to early evenings. I talked briefly with him on occasion and found him approachable, even friendly. For a guy who had just moved to Aberdeen after college, I needed some friends at work. While we didn’t get to be friends – he was dating one of the receptionists at the time, a little blond somewhat younger — I did remember Les. Now as I approach retirement (broadcasting, mission work, writing and now education) and reconnect with former co-workers, Les comes to mind.
I started to nominate him to SD Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but have not carrried through. Time to change that. I know how to do it and will fill out the form. Any story(ies) you might have of listening to Les, I would appreciate them. Also, I request to include a link to your two audio recordings.
Thanks again!
Ralph