For more than 30 years, KMJ has proudly broadcast the beloved series, Legends and Legacies, voiced by Al Smith and researched by Cathy Rehart.
Al Smith had worked mainly in the south, including his birthplace, Louisiana. When he arrived in Fresno to become General Manager of KMJ in the early 1990s, he soon realized that there were sure to be many people like him who had moved here and were not familiar with the region’s rich history.
With that concept in mind, Al turned to the Fresno Historical Society for assistance. That is where he fatefully ran into Cathy Rehart and the rest is, as they say…. history.
Longtime friend and colleague, John Broeske recalled, “Al and I both thought this would be about a 50-part series that might run for a year or two. And here we are 34 years later.”
Al, known as the “Voice of Fresno,” was a charismatic leader known for his booming voice and ability to make each person he encountered feel special.
Cathy Rehart was the definition of a gentle AND genteel soul. Her colorful writing style brought the tales of our Valley to life and captured the imaginations of all who read her numerous Legends and Legacies volumes.
No one wove a yarn the way Cathy Rehart did – seemingly effortlessly. Combined with the natural storytelling talent of Al Smith, a magical series of vignettes graced the radio station’s airwaves.
Sadly, both Al and Cathy have passed on, yet the station strongly felt that the best way to honor the contributions of Legends and Legacies would be to refresh the series – there are so many stories left to tell.
We are so proud to continue the collaboration between KMJ and the Fresno Historical Society with the launch of Valley Legends…the Legacies Continue on May 4th at 8:30am and 5:55pm simulcast on KMJ News Talk 580 AM and 105.9 KMJ FM, with three new stories debuting each week.
Elizabeth Laval of the Historical Society will craft the vignettes which will be brought to life by the incomparable Mark Standriff, a highly regarded stage actor with an expressive voice ideal for storytelling. Mark is also Director of Beautify Fresno for the City of Fresno.
Cumulus Media’s Regional Vice President, Patty Hixson, shared, “We are thrilled to relaunch Valley Legends… the Legacies Continue … as we further highlight the historical events of the past and current that celebrate what makes central California so unique! This truly sustains the incredible stories that Cathy Rehart penned, and Al Smith voiced for over three decades. This relaunch culminated from the renewed partnership with Elizabeth Laval President of The Fresno Historical Society, KMJ and the ever so talented, Mark Standriff!”
Stories will feature a refreshed perspective; sometimes bringing the past forward through our legacy businesses and families, will feature modern day legends from sports, entertainment, Valley communities and more. Articles from historical archival materials will be utilized to bring the past to life “in their own words” as first-person points-of-view.
“In a nod to modern-day capabilities, Valley Legends…the Legacies Continue will be available on digital platforms as well as over the air and will incorporate photographs from the archives of the Historical Society online and on social media so listeners can also become viewers. We are so pleased to continue our longstanding collaboration with KMJ in ways that will enhance history for all, stated Elizabeth Laval, President of the Fresno City & County Historical Society. “We will preserve the past while capturing the present for the generations yet to come,” said Laval.
Community partnerships are available for businesses and individuals who would like to get involved. Send an email here for more information on sponsorship opportunities.
ABOUT KMJ NEWS TALK 580 & 105.9 KMJ
KMJ is one of the oldest radio stations in the United States, first licensed on March 23, 1922, to the San Joaquin Light and Power Corporation. In 1925, KMJ was purchased by the McClatchy Newspaper Company, which expanded its reach and oversaw several frequency changes during the 1920s. In 1932, KMJ moved to its now-familiar position at 580 kHz, operating with 1 kW from a downtown Fresno rooftop—a major milestone in establishing the powerful regional signal it is known for today. [radioworld.com], [radiodiscussions.com]
During World War II, the U.S. Department of War designated KMJ as the primary medium for alerting Central California, a role it still fulfills as the region’s primary entry point for the Emergency Alert System (EAS). Now owned by Cumulus Media, KMJ celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022, marking a century of continuous broadcasting. Celebrations included a documentary (“KMJ: 100 Years in the Valley”), historical retrospectives, and community events honoring its legacy as one of America’s longest-running radio institutions.
ABOUT THE FRESNO CITY & COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Fresno City & County Historical Society provides our community with educational opportunities, important exhibitions, and makes its collections available for study and research. The Society encourages and promotes the preservation and conservation of our community’s irreplaceable historical and cultural resources and creates opportunities for the public to engage with our collective past through events, curriculum, and outreach programs throughout the year. An additional pillar to our mission includes capturing the myriads of current stories from multiple viewpoints and languages so those who review our material can gather information from numerous primary sources and form their own informed decisions. Our staff and board members understand that an organization which reflects the community we serve will create a more substantial enterprise and make us better able to meet current and future needs. This work has been the centerpiece of our organization for 107 years and remains steady regardless of fluctuations of perspectives from outside entities. We truly are “Making History Every Day.”
Valley Legends, the Legacies Continue is produced by Blake Taylor.
