Passing parade: Jim Carson, Shaune McNamara Steele, Ronnie Bradford

One of the most versatile talents of LA radio who could brag having tenure at multiple stations has died. Jim Carson, last heard on the air at K-EARTH 101 (KRTH) died Friday. Earlier this week, Carson had emergency surgery for a brain bleed. 

Born Vic Gruppie, the La Cañada native studied journalism and radio / tv at Pasadena City College, plus attended the Don Martin Broadcast School He served overseas with Armed Forces Radio, in Panama (Southern Command Network) and Korea (Korean Network). Carson debuted locally on KBLA in 1965. A couple of years later, he played country music at KBBQ as Vic Gee. He had successful stints at KGB-San Diego and KFRC-San Francisco, doing mornings at the latter prior to the arrival of Bay Area radio legend Dr. Don Rose.

Carson would eventually land at 100.3 FM in 1973, where he broadcast on top 40 "K-100," CHR "100 FM," AC "FM-100," CHR "KIQQ," and Soft AC "K-Lite" (different moikers for KIQQ) for the next 16 years. After following the K-Lite format to 101.9 (KLIT) for five years, Carson arrived at K-EARTH in 1994, where he would do mostly the midday shift for 22 (!) years.

Jim Carson, Bob Malen at a December gathering.

Carson was known for being prepared. He would arrive at 7:30 in the morning to work so he plan his show starting at 10 a.m. Interviewed by Dick Lyons, Carson said he looked for ways to be topical within the K-EARTH music-intesive format. "Are the Kardashians in the news? How can we make fun of them?" while also scheduling spots, contests, and other features to be presented over his four-hour show. 

Jim Carson, Bruce Chandler

"Jim was one of the most professional radio broadcasters I've ever worked with and had a resume that touched all the major markets in Southern California from Burbank to San Diego to San Francisco to Los Angeles," said Bruce Chandler, Carson's longime colleague at KIQQ and K-EARTH. "Quite impressive and his longevity pays tribute to what a valuable talent he was. It was like he was born to be in front of a microphone. He was a genuinely NICE guy."

Jay Coffey had just started at K-100 in 1977, "when Jim took me under his wing. I had only been in radio for three-and-a-half years. He taught me how to survive in a market where it could be hazardous." Later, when Coffey became the Program Director of K-EARTH 101, Coffey said Carson "never lost his temper. He did everything he was asked to do."

"One of the greatest moments of my life was when Jim arranged for me to have lunch with Bill Drake and the two of us at Monty's. I'll never forget that," said Coffey. "Jim was such a pro, he could do just about anything."

Carson is survived by his wife Susan, and son Kit.

Courtesy So Cal Radio People, Tammy Trujillo

She was known as the widow of "the" legendary Boss Jock, The Real Don Steele, yet Shaune McNamara Steele, who died last Friday, also was one of the "behind the scenes" talent that made her stations successful. Steele was the Music Director at KHJ twise (1977-1980, 1984-1986), plus fulfilling the same role at K-Hits 97.1 (KHTZ), KRLA, KLSZ, K-EARTH 101 (KRTH), and Arrow 93 (KCBS-FM). In her later years, Steele worked on documenting, archiving, presenting, and preserving the radio legacy of her husband. 

Courtesy Don Jennett

Don Jennett, who has a wonderful collection of Los Angeles radio airchecks, offered this tribute to Steele:

Gosh it’s sad to lose someone so nice, so genuine. Shaune Steele was not only the widow of perhaps the greatest Top 40 DJ ever, but she was a wonderful person who was the keeper of his legacy. A fine radio talent herself (music, programming), she will really be missed by so many.]

Steele was living in San Diego. She was 73.

Sad to also report the passing of Ronnie Bradford, who was part of KNX Newsradio for almost four decades. He was laid off in 2007, then serving as the station's Assistant News Director and Executive News Producer.

Bradford attended USC, studying Business Administration and Sociology. He graduated in 1962 before he was drafted into the Army, two years in Vietnam. More on that in a moment. Upon his return, he worked at KABC radio before starting as a news writer at KNX, which had just switched to the all-news format in 1968. In 1982, Bradford was named News Producer, planning day-to-day assignments.

In 2001, he was one of four Los Angeles area journalists to receive top honors from the Society of Professional Journalists.

Ed Pyle was the KNX News Director to whom Bradford reported to in the mid 80s, this tribute posted on Facebook:

Didn’t know what to expect when I arrived at KNX in September ’85 from KFWB where I’d been an anchor, reporter, and editor over thirteen years, the final three, news director. Here’s what I found in Ronnie Bradford, an assignment boss magician in near-constant motion...assigning story coverage to what at the time WAS a small army of street reporters...scheduling live shots and wraps...making and taking calls to newsmakers and their reps, all the while keeping up on local, state, national and international news for possible local slants and impacts. There are a number of reasons he excelled. He had an encyclopedic collection of local, state and national contact phone numbers (which he kept secure and secret on multi-folded pieces of paper in his back pocket), a near GPS-level mental map of L.A. County and environs, an innate ability to connect the right reporter to a story via his grasp of their interests, an abiding interest in local people, problems and progress. And all the while he pretty much always did it treating people in a patient and pleasant manner.

Then there was the off-the-desk “civilian” Ronnie. There were the way-too-few years with the love of his life, his wife Nancy, a PR executive at Fox, CBS and then the Hallmark Channel. Nancy Carr died in 2011 of brain tumor complications. His devotion to her was endless. He would take a rose to her place of rest in Westwood Village Memorial Park every Sunday. It was difficult but Ronnie eventually needed diversion and took trips to Portugal for visits with his sister, an expat living on the Atlantic coast of Portugal’s Algarve region. For a number of years he enjoyed sitting in Yankee Stadium for a game from the box of his friend Steve Forbes, shoulder-to-shoulder with the Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of the namesake magazine. Before or after the game there’d be time with Yankee Stadium public address voice Paul Olden, a one-time KNXer. And before heading for home, there’d be at least one Broadway show on the menu. He loved them. His USC football fanaticism hadn’t waned since he left the campus armed with his degree, and for all I know, his season ticket history goes back that far. I prized our post-retirement phone talks and gab-session lunches, often two hours or more. And then there’s London in ‘07, where Connie and I enjoyed time with Ronnie (they were both first-timers there) visiting the usual tourist stops, Piccadilly, Buckingham Palace, the Churchill War Rooms, and Westminster, where Connie snapped the photo below.

I loved working for and with Ronnie, and as much or more our off-the-clock time together. I hate that he has left us and there will be no more.

Other KNX veterans offered their tributes:

Sad to hear of the passing of longtime KNX colleague and friend, Ronnie Bradford. His talent kept KNX at the top of its game for many years. Ronnie had a special gift for playing to his reporters’ strengths. He’d know what interested you, and try to guide you to those kinds of stories. He was a demanding little dynamo who always managed to get the best out of his people. Some loved him…some didn’t…but all respected him. We were all lucky to have known and worked with him. Rest easy, old friend. - Jack Salvatore

Honoring the memory of a dear friend and respected colleague. Getting the sad news today that Ronnie Bradford has departed. We had worked together at CBS station KNX since 1992 when he was executive editor, assistant News Director and later News Director. He was the best. Honored as a distinguished journalist by SPJ-LA in 2001. He was a proud USC Trojan and Vietnam war veteran. We met regularly over the years and stayed in contact until the end. Sending condolences to his family and all of his former colleagues who had the utmost respect for Ronnie Bradford. RIP RBR - Frank Mottek

Just saw the news of the passing of KNX Radio icon Ronnie Bradford. It's so very tough to lose a mentor, an extremely talented journalist and most importantly, a very loyal friend. I always honored his service by contacting him on Veterans Day, and this November was no different. We talked about getting together again after the holidays. I'm so sad that it won't happen.

Ronnie was one of the first people to guide my career when I arrived at KNX in 1979. His advice was so important to my growth, and he had that unassuming way of pushing people to be their best. We quickly became friends and used to play tennis together. We talked about so many things, from fatherhood to diversity in our newsroom to his tour in Vietnam to the daily effort  of bringing the best journalism to our listeners. He was thoughtful, fair, innovative, patient, a risk-taker and always focused. He valued our friendship and for that I will be forever grateful.

There are a million great stories about him, but the one that resonates with me, is that identifying paper sign at his desk at Columbia Square, that had "Editor" on it. He said he put it there because people would enter the newsroom, look right at him, and ask, "where's the editor?" Ah yes, he was also a real pioneer. Thank you Ronnie for everything. Rest in pezce, my brother. I will never forget you. - David Ysais

Ronnie Bradford, Dave Zorn receiving award (Courtesy LARadio.com)

In 2005, Bradford and KNX anchor Dave Zorn created the documentary "40 Years from Vietnam."  The two veterans returned to where they served in the Army and the Marine Corps, respectively.  The series of reports earned recognition in 2006 by the Southern California Journalists. "This documentary touches everyone in some way. The producer was careful to keep the story interesting all the way through and gave it a distinct beginning and end," said the judges. "The listener could walk away with a true experience, much more than new information or education. Producers took good care to address the subject seriously and sensitively, while shedding new light on an old dark subject."

KNX offered an on-air tribute to Bradford, featuring former anchors Salvatore and Tom Haule. Bradford was 82 years of age.

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