January 2004
About Roger Barkley - I was in the Odebolt library the other day and checked out the book "The Story Man's First Writes", by Roger Barkley, who was born in 1936 in Odebolt and grew up here.  He went on to become a popular radio personality in the Los Angeles area where he formed a 25-year partnership with Al Lohman, as "Lohman and Barkley" on KFI Radio.  They had a popular morning radio show and hosted a two time Emmy Award winning Television variety show among other endeavors.  In 1985 they were honored by stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in LA. 

Roger passed away in 1997 and the book was published in 1998 in his memory.  I have discovered that this book can be ordered on-line.  See "The Story Man's First Writes"  for more information and a biography on Roger.   The book contains many references to Odebolt and I found it interesting and humorous. 

More information can be found:
On a page at LA Radio, www.laradio.com/whereb.htm (scroll down to "Barkley, Roger")
At Wikipedia  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Barkley
At a tribute page http://www.mastous.net/LandB/LandB.html

If you'd like to hear samples of the Lohman & Barkley Show from 1967 and '68, go to Reel Radio.

You can also find information about Roger Barkley by visiting the Odebolt Museum in downtown Odebolt.

- B. Horak