GARY RICHARDS :
THE GOLDEN VOICE OF TEXAS RADIO FOR 50 YEARS
BY JASON JONES jjones @ palestineherald . com
In the radio industry they are known as “ pipes .” That is how on-air talent is typically recognized , and not everyone on the planet is blessed with a set . Gary Richards was blessed ten-fold . For the past five decades people all over Texas have been fortunate to have a portion of their lives narrated by the golden tones of Richards ’ voice . Whether hearing the news , listening to sporting events of all kinds or even casually enjoying a musical soundtrack to their day , his has been the welcoming voice that escorted the journey .
Born Gary Richard Pennington in Grapeland in the mid-1950s , Richards adopted his professional moniker when he entered the broadcasting field .
“ I graduated from Grapeland High School in 1973 ,” Richards said . “ I always knew I wanted to be in radio . I was the only kid on my block who had a radio in his treehouse . I guess my love for it began right there .”
Committed to following his dream , Richards enrolled in the Elkins Institute of Broadcasting in Dallas a few weeks after graduation . He completed his training and became a licensed broadcaster on his birthday , September 18 , 1973 .
“ Back then , you had to take a federal test and pay a licensing fee ,” said Richards . “ You needed a radio-telephone license before you could broadcast , but that ’ s no longer required .”
Richards was quickly hired by KWGH in Big Lake , Texas , just west of San Angelo .
“ It was a small station ,” Richards said with a chuckle . “ It was owned by an older lady and my first play-by-play assignment was covering the local little league team .”
KWGH was only the first step on his journey . Richards left the station in 1975 for KMHT in Marshall , where he spent the next nine years combining his love of sports and broadcasting .
“ I would broadcast the play-by-play of the Marshall High School football games ,” Richards said . “ Eventually I did the same for East Texas Baptist University .”
In 1984 , Richards moved to KGCS in Nacogdoches , where he continued to provide commentary and play-by-play action for the local football team . In 1987 he was asked to fill in on the Stephen F . Austin State University broadcast team , and the next , perhaps most prolific , chapter of his career began .
44 WINTER EDITION 2023
COURTESY PHOTO
Gary Richards , the voice of East Texas radio for five decades , gives a thumbs-up during a broadcast in Palestine .
“ I moved to Q107 FM , also in Nacogdoches , in 1989 ,” Richards said . “ I became the voice of the Stephen F . Austin Ladyjacks basketball team , which I did for 12 years .”
Richards became an iconic part of the team . When the Ladyjacks were invited to compete in the “ Wahine Basketball Tournament ” in Honolulu , Hawaii , they made certain Richards was there to cover their games .
“ We went in ‘ 92 , ‘ 96 and 2000 ,” Richards reminisced . “ That was one of the highlights of my career .”
Q107 was eventually acquired by Clear Channel Radio . Recognizing the talent and experience Richards brought to the table , the company named him News and Sports Director , and he oversaw four stations across Nacogdoches .
In 2003 , after a brief stint at radio station KBHT in his hometown of Grapeland , Richards found a new home in Palestine . He became the news and sports director for KYYK and KNET , where he also hosted a popular morning show until 2016 .
Besides broadcasting , Richards has a passion for volunteering and charity , something he considers both a joy and a responsibility . Over the years he has earned numerous awards , certificates and letters of thanks from organizations such as the Special Olympics and the March of Dimes .
“ When you achieve any notoriety , even minor celebrity , it ’ s your duty to the community to try and give back ,” Richards said .
These days , despite enjoying a state of semi-retirement , Richards can still be heard on local airwaves . He has covered Palestine Wildcat games since 2018 with co-host Tony Watson and does play-by-play coverage for LeTourneau University sports in Longview .
“ You know , I ’ m 68 years old ,” Richards said . “ But I feel good , and as long as I feel good , I ’ m going to keep on doing this .”
Richards ’ career has spanned five decades and ten presidents . He has covered everything from little league baseball to major disasters . And Richards wouldn ’ t change a thing .
“ I have been so blessed ,” Richards said . “ I inform and entertain every day and I love what I do . Not everyone gets to fulfill their childhood dream and enjoy it for a lifetime . I don ’ t take that for granted .”