FM funnyman Jerry Evans switches to public radio
Published Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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FAIRBANKS — Morning listeners tuned in to 95.9 FM may think they’re still dreaming when they wake up next Monday and can’t find their favorite funny duo on the radio.
It’s no joke.
Many Fairbanks listeners have ushered Glenner and Jerry into their early routines with the X-Rock Morning Show, live from Crapper Creek.
The duo will broadcast together for the last time Friday, as half of the team, Jerry Evans, moves on to become director of radio programming and production at KUAC FM.
Glen Anderson, who is out of town and unavailable to comment, will maintain the banter on 95.9 as the host of a new show, “Glenner in the Morning.”
The breakup has been emotional as the two have been best friends — not to mention cohorts in comedy — for years.
“I really hated to tell (Glen),” Evans said. “I really do spend more time with him a day than I do with my wife. We could really finish each other’s sentences. It was almost like, ‘Honey, I’m seeing someone else.’ He’s the funniest guy I know. And for all the X-Rock listeners, Glen is going to do a great job.”
Evans is making the shift from commercial to public radio when he starts at KUAC on Sept. 9.
It’s something of a homecoming for Evans, as he started in broadcasting 25 years ago as an assistant producer for television at KUAC.
Born and raised in Fairbanks, Evans left to join the U.S. Marine Corps, where he learned photojournalism. Following his return, Evans “made his bones,” starting as a lights and camera man and working his way up. That wasn’t necessarily the intent, but the result of following his heart.
“I gravitated toward what I loved doing,” he explained. “Before I knew it, I had a career.”
Most recently, that career has fostered a double identity — Evans is a public persona on the morning comedy exchange, and a programming director behind the scenes for two other New Northwest Broadcasters stations, WOLF 98 and TED FM.
Those skills coupled with experience caught KUAC CEO Greg Petrowich’s eye.
“We’re excited that somebody with that much talent was here in Fairbanks — we didn’t have to look that far,” Petrowich said, commenting on Evans’ success in programming two stations at once while co-hosting the morning show. “That parallels nicely with where we see public radio going, with multiple service streams.”
Scott Diseth was the last person to hold the position and left two years ago, Petrowich said. KUAC leaders spent some time analyzing staff needs as the station transitions into digital television and radio — which, it turns out, is opening a host of new possibilities.
He expects Evans will be an able leader in the transition and in developing a stronger Web presence.
“The keys are working on the primary KUAC service, which is what listeners traditionally know as KUAC, but also looking at the possibility of multiple services,” Petrowich explained. “There are all kinds of possibilities on how you can deliver more services with the Web.”
Evans sees the same potential and is excited to help a talented crew take their work to the next level.
Listeners won’t hear Evans’ familiar voice on-air much, at least not for the time being.
He plans to rein in his quick comedic rejoinders and put his eyes and ears to work overtime. The situation is unique, he said — KUAC doesn’t need a “fixer,” but instead someone to come in and help a quality, creative staff excel.
In particular, he said he appreciates public radio’s commitment to a loyal listener base, and believes the station belongs to the people.
“It kind of gives a voice to the voices that aren’t being heard,” he said.
He promises not to fly off the radar completely.
Evans will continue to support local causes, such as hosting the Junior Funny Festival, and will be out in the community for KUAC functions, as well.
All funniness aside, the decision is right for Evans and his family, he said.
“It’s easier to be comfortable with where you are than to make a change,” he said.
This is a transition time for the Evans family also, as his wife, Dana, starts as a first-year principal at Two Rivers Elementary. Their son, Skyler, is a junior at Hutchison High School.
Community Discussion
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Jerry, you will be sorely missed in my mornings, and while I know you are not going far away, I know that you will go far. Good luck to you.
Maybe you'll be able to bring a little humor and life to public radio in Fairbanks. Suggestion, bring back student produced radio documentary programs. Classical music at 9:00 am is a little hard to get going to in the morning. Finally they have hired locally. Good Luck on the new job.
Oh man, I really like Jerry. He is the funniest public figure in radio around here. He is also a very funny stand up comic. Honestly, I always felt sick to my stomach hearing him get stepped on by glenner. It was sad to hear Jerry's bits get squashed by that annoying jerk. I am happy to hear he is moving on, and if KUAC doesn't give him his own show they are nuts. I wish you very good luck Jerry.
--spiderbui
Jerry, please don't go! Glenner is pretty good, but the two of you together are awesome. The article explains what Bob Zany eluded to this morning and I didn't quite get. Best of luck to you and Dana.
We've been through one breakup and now another...this is devastating! :o) But the very best of luck to Jerry and family and happy Glen is still going to be around.
My morning routine isn't going to be the same without Jerry. All I ask is we keep Shirly Q. Liquor around.
Tell yo mama I say how she doin.
Jerry - hopefully you can knock some sense into public radio - it lacks balance, common sense and needs to lighten up. Each time I tune - it reminds me of living in a communist county. I try to listen to it about once or twice a month......get the other side of the story...... but I cannot hack all the anti-American, anti-democracy, and Bush bashing. I understand this liberal adgenda can't survive in commercial radio - but that is no reason for tax dollars to pay for extreme left alternative anti-US propaganda.
Good luck on your new job! I'll miss ya on my morning drive. Crapper Creek just won't be the same with a population of 1.
Sounds like the end of an era! Those guys are great!
It's always sad to see a great comedic pair split.First of all, when I was a kid,back in the mid 80's,Jerry and Glen were the ones that made me wanna be in radio.Then I pretty much followed in their footsteps to KSUA and began a career that would lead to markets in Spokane,Seattle and pretty much all over the Pacific Northwest.Fate brought me back in 2003 and I went to work with them (which for me, was a thrill) and stayed for 2 1/2 years before moving to where I am now....One thing Jerry and I used to do to irritate Glenner was sit for hours on end testing each other's music knowledge with a trivia game we had got from Hoitt's when it was still on Airport...I think he might have beat me once in awhile...
Good Luck Jerry...can I get a high paying job now?
Jerry! Well, both of you all are great! I love you both so much. You are still my big brothers. It will be different,, but what is life without change? I could go on and on about how much we will miss you at Crapper Creek,, but that doesn't compare to how much Glenn is going to miss you. Still, I do have one question...
What about the Myspace??? ;)
You both are in my thoughts. Take care of yourself and be good.
Tonya B.
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