Bob Harris talked to me.
That might not seem like a big deal, but let me elaborate. When I was some young fellow with no idea what real life was like – Bob Harris talked to me like a peer. Like an equal.
This was a quality that never changed. Not when I started working in the same building, when I got the honor to be on KFGO or even the Thursday before his birthday – which was the last time I would speak with him.
Bob had an amazing ability to talk with anyone. Over his many years behind the microphone, he interviewed mega celebrities, local musicians, politicians, charity organizers and just about any other soul you might bump into. He treated them all the same. He believed in giving artists a platform and taught a great many how to promote their passion. That was his passion…sharing news about your passion.
Bob and I had a fast friendship because we both enjoyed obscure movies. We would have long chats that started with, “Have you seen this one” and commonly ended with, “Let me write down those three titles.” Generous in spirit and a great storyteller.
You couldn’t mention a musician or singer who Bob didn’t have an amazing story or piece of trivia with which to regale you. Often times, his story came directly from an interview he did on air with the musician or someone directly connected with a superstar. An amazing memory.
He was no slouch either when it came to singing. Bob was a karaoke master. His group of friends could often be found crooning and Bob would be the one choosing the B-side selections. I went out a few times and had some very memorable nights listening to Bob work out which Elvis tune he wanted to try next.
Later in our friendship, Bob would join his sister Jeanie at Fargo Billiards and Gastropub to play a weekly round of trivia that I hosted with another future KFGO co-worker, Phil Godel. Bob was always excited, always willing to take a wild guess on an answer and ALWAYS a gracious winner. You can tell a lot about a person by the way they win or lose. Bob stayed the same with both. Humble and thanked us for putting together an evening of entertainment.
I also had the pleasure of Bob being a fan and promoter of my passions. He frequently had me on his program to talk about a LineBenders comedy show, he was the first (and only) on air personality at work to be a frequent listener of my podcast. I even had the pleasure of bringing in Bob to be on the 43rd episode. We talked for over an hour and I will treasure that piece of audio. It was two colleagues talking about the art of storytelling – and he spoke to me in the same manner as the first time I stepped into a studio with him. An amazing man who built up those around him.
Bob also shared the stage with the LineBenders on a few occasions. He was a dang good improvisor and a gracious guest. I never told him, but it was a “get” for us to have him onstage. I even remember a client telling me that they knew we were professionals because of the way Bob Harris spoke about us during his show. I can never thank him enough for that.
I guess the thing I am going to miss the most about Bob Harris is the fact that he was consistent. From the time I was 22 years old to fifteen years later, Bob has been a constant presence in my world. A fixture. Someone to be counted on. Someone who was always there when we needed someone else the most. You would be hard pressed to find a regional musician who didn’t spend time in the KFGO studio with Bob providing the platform. The countless spaghetti feeds and fundraisers he helped promote – not because it was his job, but because he believed in helping the community he called home. Bob may be gone, but his legend will live on in the form of the thousands of hours of interviews he has archived from over the years. Everyone from Mr. Rogers to Prince can be found when browsing his blog or radio interviews. He was a conduit to bring the world to us, through our radios – in our homes. He was a constant source of fun.
The world is a better place because of Bob Harris.
Now, there is a dark office at the end of a hallway at KFGO. The desk is stacked with books from authors he was going to interview. Pictures of his son Chris. Thank you notes from churches and strangers who benefited from promoting their fundraisers on his show. There is a worn out Minnesota Twins hat. He ran the board for a lot of games and was a good fan of the sport.
The hardest part of walking away from that office is hearing The Mighty 790am play through a small speaker on his desk and know that I won’t be hearing “It’s the Mighty 790, Bob Harris here” anymore. We’re lucky he left us with so much to remember him by and we can all agree that his passing was too soon.
When Bob and I would part, he said goodbye with a consistent phrase, “Later, babe!” Now it is our turn to say goodbye.
Well, Bob-o – it’s been real.
Later, babe!
Leaving you with one of my favorites.
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