I met Jaynie Jones when she and her husband Charles came over to buy my wife’s exercise bike. It was a beautiful summer day. We all chatted and laughed for well over an hour. The bike had very little use at our home. Once gone I never asked about the bike, but if Charles and Jaynie are anything like Peg and me, they probably got more exercise lugging it up the stairs to their condo than peddling it for exercise.
Since we met, Jaynie and I have stayed in touch via Facebook. Growing up there were similarities in our lives. Jaynie became a fierce competitor in barrel racing at Pioneer Posse in Milton-Freewater, Oregon, while I rode a Shetland pony in Tacoma. A Walla Walla radio station had a record club limited to teenagers. Jaynie applied and pretended to be 13 and got her first on-air radio gig as a reporter of high school news while still in grade school. She was only 11. I played hooky from Clover Park’s Navy Base and stayed home to watch old movies on TV. In my junior year at Clover Park High I studied Television Skills and operated TV cameras, floor directed, and “switched” from camera to camera recording educational programs. Often I would visit a buddy in the radio training section of the vocational school and be interviewed from time to time.
Jaynie “Dillon” and country music are a natural fit. She was a DJ (Disc Jockey) for the afternoon drive at Country KAYO in Seattle and later at KKBY FM The Cowboy with Ichabod Caine. (Ichabod Caine was a Doman family favorite.)
While teaching Broadcast Journalism at Green River College, Jaynie was also an on-air personality at KOMO in Seattle. Other stops included stations in Spokane, and Tacoma (KTAC).
With a bubbling personality, Jaynie connects well with people. A construction worker in California’s Napa Valley wine country, who played in a country band, listened to her show after the bars closed and called in occasionally. He bought a filly and named her “Jaynie.” He promised that when she had her first foal, he would make a gift of it to Jaynie. His construction company relocated to Dallas, Texas – out of range of KOMO’s radio signal – but one night he called Jaynie while she was on-the-air and said, “It’s a boy! When do you want him?” The breeding that had taken place was from a horse out of Man o’ War’s bloodline with a $10,000 stud fee; however, it was unplanned (the stallion had gotten loose), so the breeding was free. Incredibly, despite the value of the little colt, he shipped both the mare and foal to Washington state – at his expense. The little black stallion was named “WarWind.”
Jaynie Dillon rides again. She is coming out of retirement and will record here for a radio station in Amarillo, Texas. She was beside herself with joy until she opened up her boxes of recording gear and realized that with her new computer the old interface wouldn’t work. A week away from showtime and unable to record she talked to an old friend of mine, Nathaniel Oxford, who recommended she talk to me. Early Wednesday morning I got the call for help. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem, but it is with the social distancing and restrictions on non-essential gathering and working. Contacting people is more complicated. The first name that popped into my mind was Gary J. Chambers.
I’ve never met Gary, but I saw him when he played the Modern Major General in the Pirates of Penzance at Lakewood Playhouse. A few weeks ago Gary responded to a query about the actors in the latest production at Tacoma Musical Playhouse – A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. He recorded audio of the lead character explaining the scene set up for the audience. He also gave me a quote for the review I wrote. I knew he had a studio (Chatato Pips Studio) and he lived in Tacoma. All pluses. I suggested him to Jaynie. She mentioned my comment to Nathaniel, who also knew Gary.
As back up I contacted Jim Cissell, The Voice Guy. I’ve worked with Jim on a multitude of productions. If you’ve watched TV in the last twenty years you have heard Jim’s voice on countless commercials and documentaries. Jim lives in West Seattle, however. His studio is in his basement. Jim said to have Jaynie give him a call. By early afternoon, contact had been made with Gary. I thanked Jim. Jaynie was all set. Gary was helping out, she was getting the interface she needed and actually saving money. There’ll be a week delay, but everyone is happy.
As for the “focus” of the new radio show, it’s relaxed, easy-going country music that spans pretty much the entire history of country music from its early years to the present. The station’s slogan is “From Hank to Blake” (Hank Williams to Blake Shelton). Jaynie will get a chance to rediscover her farm girl, country-western roots. That’s a good thing.
I just love the Pacific Northwest. The people are kind, helpful and ready to lend a hand. Now, I’ll tune in to Texas and listen to Boss Country Radio. I don’t have a colt to send Jaynie, but I do have a photo of my Shetland to share with her.
Tune in and listen – bosscountryradio.com/
Very cool to hear this history of my longtime friend. Jaynie has had a rich life of wonderful experiences!
Hi, Cindy! Since you have ‘radio roots’ similar to my own, you understand what a joy it was to be called and asked to join the air staff of this radio station — BossCountryRadio.com — after having retired from radio long ago, make that decades ago. My, oh, my! How times have changed! And what amazing things the technology and the internet have made possible. This all came about thanks to one of my former Broadcast Journalism students Bob Orndorff. He uses the radio name “The Real Bob McCoy.” He lives in the Tri-Cities with his wife and kids. He was taking my radio classes back in the late 1970s. But we have always stayed in touch. He has worked at radio stations in Spokane, Seattle, Tri-Cities and in Oregon, Montana and Idaho. A few weeks ago he joined the staff on BossCountryRadio.com. When he learned of another opportunity there, he told their program director Jamey Karr about me. That’s how this has all come about. Talk about life coming full circle! I never could have imagined it. I am so grateful and so happy!
That is AWESOME. I am so excited for you to get back to where you once belonged. Life can be so grand if we seize those momentary opportunities, which you clearly have. Knock ’em dead, sister!
Cindy,
Thank you for commenting.
I like hearing personal stories that unite us all. Community and friendship truly makes the world a nice place to be.
Thanks for sharing.
Don
Cindy McKitrick is multi-talented, a good and true friend, and has a radio background, too. We first met when Charles and I owned Love Me Now Floral Design in Steilacoom. We were all members of the Steilacoom Chamber of Commerce. I served two terms as a board member and chair person of the Sunshine Committee. (Imagine that?!?) LOL Cindy went on to become President of the Chamber of Commerce following in the steps of General Dan French and Lt Col Don Rehburg who both left some mighty big shoes to fill. I think I can say for both Cindy and myself (and almost certainly anyone who ever served in the Chamber) that we loved General Dan and Colonel Don (and his “Secret Sauce” and spirit of entrepreneurship) so much!!! What a blessing for each of us to have had the opportunity to have worked with them and to have learned from them over the years as we built our businesses. Cindy and Doug McKitrick are the renowned owners of Custom Hardwood Floors. They work hard and are loved in the community. https://customhardwoodfloors.us/
Oh Jaynie, you are so kind. And I agree about our good fortune to have served on the Steilacoom Chamber board during the reigns of both Dan French and Don Rehburg. It has been nothing but a pleasure knowing you and Charles all these many years. I sure wish you all the best in this new endeavor!
Don, I’m so grateful to you for the friendship and camaraderie that has developed since first meeting you and Peg when Charles and I came over to your house to buy that heavy-duty exercise machine. Charles uses it more often that I do, which is to say that I don’t use it very often. However, I must say it makes a sturdy coat rack. 🙂 I’m grateful for the network of talented and resourceful connections that you have and that we share. We are so blessed! After pulling my studio gear out of storage these past few days only to discover that a key element of it had gone the way of the dinosaurs, my mother’s mantra kept running through my head, “There’s gotta be a way! There’s gotta be a way!” As I thought of the people I know who are involved in radio, television, music, theatre and the recording industry, I first reached out to Nathaniel Oxford, who, as it turned out is also your friend and referred me back to you. Gary J. Chambers from https://www.facebook.com/chatatopips/ helped me get squared away. What an amazing guy! The rest is history. Problem solved. That little piece of gear is on its way. All thanks to you and the magical blessing of networking. We truly are blessed to know wonderfully talented and knowledgeable people who will always find a way. Mama was right! “There’s gotta be a way!”
Jaynie,
What’s really nice is the community service that The Suburban Times provides. Tieing us all together and adding connection upon connection.
Thanks for sharing. I look forward to hearing you!!!!
Don
Where would we be without networking and our amazing circle of friends? I’d be at a complete loss and standstill. I’m so grateful for what you’ve done, for the referrals you’ve made, the contacts you’ve shared to get the ball rolling. I can never thank you enough.
That is just wonderful, Jaynie and I have been friends from afar for years. I hope to meet her in person someday soon. I have heard her radio stuff and it is outstanding. Her brother Dan also had a radio career in our hometown of Walla Walla, WA
Break a leg, Jaynie!
Mike,
Thanks for commenting.
Jaynie is as nice in person as she in on the air. That’s not the case with everyone. We all wish her well.
Thanks for sharing you kind thoughts.
I think of Mike Barer as the younger brother I never had. I have come to feel close to him over the years both with our shared Walla Walla and radio heritage. I appreciate not only that Don Doman has pulled all the pieces together to write my ‘comeback’ story for The Suburban Times, but now Mike Barer has added it to his blog, too. Thanks, guys! I’m not worthy, but I’m grateful. . https://mvbarer.blogspot.com/2020/04/jaynie-dillon-back-on-air.html?spref=fb&fbclid=IwAR3sV5SVofOcgra8Y9-mh2EE6VvJTRgpxrJ3K21CVAE7aIBwsOH4OfclI30
Back in 1985 I was hired at KOMO to fill in for Jayne while she recuperated from an illness she had been fighting. Over the years we shared that KOMO microphone and have remained close friends all these years since. I’m so happy that she now has a chance to share that beautiful voice once again on BOSS COUNTRY RADIO. I’ll be listening and rooting for her. Charles, her husband is one of the nicest and sweetest men I’ve ever met and he has been going through some rough times with his health. God bless them both and cheers to Jayne on her newest journey.
Lee,
Thanks for commenting.
You are right. When I first met Jaynle and Charles, I mostly chatted with Charles. Jaynie just held back. Since then Jaynie and I have carried on with internet conversations. Together they are one of the nicest couples I could hope to meet.
I wish Jaynie, well. She seems like a natural and I wish her the best.
Thanks for sharing.
Don
Don, I have to say that you and Peg treated us so kindly, we felt like royalty, complete acceptance and welcomed into your home. That meant so much to us. Charles and I are both happy to have you in our world. Likewise with Lee Duncan and his lovely wife Patricia. What a blessing it is to have known and worked with Lee for a decade at KOMO! Lee has the greatest, smoothest radio voice you’ll ever hear. He has an equally warm and loving heart and personality in real-life just as he does on-the-air, too. And Patricia is a gem! We are blessed all the way around to have such a wonderful network and circle of friends. God bless each one of you! And let’s not leave out Ben Sclair in this either! He’s always been good to me, too in publishing the stories I’ve written over the years, also. 🙂
Hi Don, the virus shutdown keeps me behind on reading your column. Probably because I have enough time to waste, so I don’t check you out.
Opened this story about Pat today, and having had a Bluegrass and early country music radio program myself (KRABgrass on KRAB-FM) back in the ’70s and ’80s thought I chime in. I have a few thousand 78s (Country) and have 1000s additional digital recordings from my collection and 15,000 others that I sold or gave away. From Jimmie Rodgers to Rose Maddox.
Pat might be interested in some early Washington State Country music from a fellow calling hmself Arizona Joe (Robert Streepy). He moved to Carbonado, WA in Pierce County, and continued recordings, and roadeo act. Bob Streepy first appeared on the radio in the 1930s and rode the airwaves up and down the West Coast in the 1940s and into the 1960s. He appeared live on KMO, KJR, and made 21 radio transcriptions for distribution. I found all 21 discs in Marysville 40 years ago.
An Arizona Joe commercial CD was mastered and released in Britain. I can get one sent to Patricia from the UK that should delight old-timers and young aficionados. HOO-HAW!