Ron Kramer has just issued the manuscript book to his up coming condensed version to be released to the general public in early 2009. The current book is titled:

PIONEER MIKES - A History of Radio & Television In Oregon (Academic/Reference Manuscript Edition)

Ron dedicated his book in memory of the KGW Hoot Owls. There is a chapter devoted to the Hoot Owls and like the entire huge book, (54 Chapters & 630 pages!) Ron has done an incredible job on tracking down information lost decades ago. It's hard to put into words how big this book is on information. It's a gold mine of stories & histories. There's also hundreds of historic and rare photographs not to mention station ads and logo's, all from long ago.

Some of the logo's and information came from old FRC & FCC files stored at the National Arrives in Washington D.C. This information was difficult to find at times. Letters and even files were miss filed at times. I lost count on the number of times Ron flew back to D.C. to get the research done. What readers get is all the gravy!

The book which is 11 x 8 1/2 and is an inch and half thick, will be in libraries soon. I would check by calling The Oregon Historical Society Library or The Multnomah County Library in the next few weeks. You most likely won't be able to check this book out and take it home. Any radio or television history enthusiast, plan on spending most of the day reading the book, if not days!

In early 2009 the book to the general public will be released. This book won't be as technical and won't be as large as the 630 page manuscript book. The general public edition will also be drivin' more by stories.

Kudos to Ron! Maybe for a future PDX Radio event, we should go to the Oregon Historical Society Library or the Multnomah County Library to look through this masterpiece.

When have we had past PDX Radio events???

The last one that I am aware of was the get-together at Mark Lindsey's Rock&Roll Cafe. That took place almost a year ago.

And look what happened after that! DOH, uh, just kidding!

There are two versions of Ron Kramer's book. The first edition (available now and shipping to libraries) will have indexes and cross-reference points. The edition that will be released to book stores in January will not have all of that material. I got to look at his book and it is truly amazing. Great stories about Oregon broadcasting history.

Just heard from Ron. He told me both The Multnomah Country Library & The Oregon Historical Society Library have copies of his book. We don't know if the books are on the shelves yet but they might be. I'd check first before taking the trip.

Is the title of Ron's book really spelled "Mikes" or is it the more traditional abbreviation for microphone "Mics" as in the plural?

Yes! Mikes:

http://www.wsmb.org/Page.asp?NavID=10

Now I know what I will be doing on my days off on a cold rainy winter's day... Thanks Craig for the great news and information.