PHIL AND BRENT LEAVE 97.5 KMOD---MY RAINBOW STATION LOST SOME OF ITS COLOR~

It's October...Sooner football is in high gear, the the leaves are changing, but that's not all that's changed in the past couple of weeks.  I was saddened to find out that local Tulsa morning rock jocks, Phil Stone and Brent Douglas have left our incredible classic rock station, KMOD---Phil and Brent had been with KMOD for over 25 years.

Forrest's very first  live radio show performance was on the morning show with Phil and Brent when he was just 11 years old.  He got to sing a song from his band's original, and somewhat corny and juvenile set, and also a cover or two.  I believe he sang Metallica's, "Wherever I May Roam," and Guns and Roses."Knockin' on Heaven's Door." This set the stage for the big time buzz in the Tulsa area regarding Forrest's vocals and his band's way beyond their years talent.  Phil and Brent made he and his band mates feel so right at home in the intimidating radio studio, with all its illuminated buttons, bells and whistles.  They had us all in stitches the entire time.  Just like in my book Red Dirt Rocker, Phil and Brent razzed Forrest each time he appeared on their show, asking him how his voice could be so deep and mature sounding since he hadn't even hit puberty yet.  His lack of facial hair and dating situations were always on the forefront of their conversations.  Forrest took their good natured teasing with a grain of salt.  He would continually "see them" a clever comment, and "raise them" a quip of quick witted banter as their, never-a-dull-moment interviews ensued---  Phil and Brent were two amazing, very cool dudes to spend a morning with. As Forrest put it with such poetic elegance when he was there for his first live interview, "They were two old farts that were still a lot of fun to be around!"  I have that quote on record.

One comment I remember with most fondness as a parent, was when Phil asked Forrest if he appreciated school.  I'll never forget that when Forrest told them that he loved school dearly and was actually interested in his studies, both Phil and Brent praised Forrest for his self admitted nerdiness.  They gave him great advice, wished him the best of luck, and said they hoped he never got totally jaded by the music business, which can truly eat your lunch.   They certainly knew that if your not careful, being a rock star can get the best of you, (or should I say, can bring the "worst of you" to the surface if you let it get to your head.)  I really respected them for taking a break from all their teasing to have a bit of heartfelt conversation with Forrest.  I know he did as well.

Our Rainbow Station, 97.5 KMOD lost a big part of it's color and shine when Phil and Brent left this month.  I'm sure the great classic rock music will continue to flow from it's radio waves, but Phil and Brent, and The Morning Zoo will be dearly missed by this rock mom.