Letter: Please share memories of Ronnie Owens

To the Editor:

For the past year, I have been doing research on the history of KAAA/KCUE for my master’s thesis in music history. My thesis topic is based on country/western radio shows in Minnesota from the 1940s and 1950s.

The reason why I chose this topic is because of my grandfather’s radio show from that time. His name: Ronnie Owens. My article is published in this month’s issue of Today Magazine and I have outlined what I know about his time on KAAA.

The information I have is a good start, but I need more. I know that Ronnie was on the air starting in May 1949 and sang through the mid-1950s. He had his own radio show at 11:30 Saturday mornings, first being a part of the “Goodhue Hour” and then having his own radio show “Ronnie Owens.”

I know that Ronnie sang at county fairs in Minnesota and western Wisconsin within that time period. He sang at Kramer’s Hatchery’s Chick Days in February 1950 and 1952. He also sang at the Skyline in Red Wing, Fisherman’s Rest in El Paso and at Marilyn’s in Frontenac.

I have been in contact with his friends Harley Flathers and Genevieve Hovde, former KAAA employees who were both able to give me some information, but I need help painting the bigger picture of the beginnings of KAAA and Ronnie’s career.

What I am looking for is any stories, fan mail, advertisements, pictures, or memorabilia of anything related to KAAA, Ronnie Owens, Genevieve Hovde, Leo Dressen, Mel’s Old Timers or any musical talent that relates to KAAA.

If you have any information that you would like to share, please send to: Eleanor Owen Peterson, K307 1915 East Kenilworth Place Milwaukee, WI 53202 or to eleanor.o.peterson@gmail.com.

Thanks in advance.

Eleanor Owen Peterson

Milwaukee

Tags: opinion, letters