Davis-Moore would like to thank Johnny Western for his contributions to the city of Wichita and country music. A nationwide country music legend, his absence will be felt in the Wichita community for a long time to come.
Radio in Wichita will never be the same as a true icon of country music, Johnny Western, is retiring from his regular daytime radio show at KFTI. Davis-Moore salutes Western and wishes him the best, and sincerely hopes that he enjoys all the newfound time with his grandkids — however his presence will be felt by country music fans and Wichitans for a long time to come. Davis-Moore President Dawson Grimsley, a friend of Johnny’s who has known him a number of years and has heard many of his great stories, calls Western “One of the crown jewels of Wichita, an icon of icons.”
Johnny Western has been part of KFTI (formerly KFDI) in Wichita since 1985, and unlike many DJ’s, he’s actually been around the block in the music industry. You could say that like any career, his began with the basics, or the ABC’s……Autry, Boone & Cash. In 1956 Gene Autry, Johnny Western’s hero, signed Western to be his featured singer and personal guitarist. Beginning with his gig on the Autry show, Johnny’s career as an actor took off in 1957 and he appeared in 37 features and a western TV series. Very notably, after appearing on the TV Series “Have Gun Will Travel”, Johnny wrote the song The Ballad of Palladin. Originally written as a thank you to the star of the series, Richard Boone, the song became the theme for the show. This led to a song writing partnership that would last close to 40 years with Richard Boone and the show’s creator, Sam Rolfe. As for Johnny Cash, he signed Western to be a featured performer and emcee of his roadshow in 1958. In addition to that, Western also played guitar on 71 of Cash’s singles and 5 of his albums – they toured together for 40 years.
Western was inducted into the Country Music DJ Hall of Fame in 2000, and was inducted into America’s Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame the same year. In 2001 Western received a great honor for a Cowboy singer and movie/television personality – he was inducted into the Western Music Association Hall of Fame, joining his hero, Gene Autry, and others like Roy Rogers and Rex Allen. In 2003 Western received the Cowboy Spirit of the West Award from the National Festival of the West. The theme in 2003 was “Balladeers of the West”, and Western was the perfect honoree. In 2008 he was named Disc Jockey of the year by the Western Music Association.
Here in Wichita, Western is beloved for his show on KFTI. Anyone who has heard him knows that Western has never been a typical DJ; he has always been much more. He relates stories to his listeners from the view of someone who has actually been there and seen it all. It’s not a script — it’s what he’s actually experienced and lived, and Wichita is fortunate to have had this musical icon in our city for as long as we have. Western has continued to tour and work film festivals and road shows all over the country…but in the past he has always come back home to Wichita. At 75, Western has decided that today is his last day on KFDI radio and is retiring and moving with his wife to Arizona to spend more time with family. Here at Davis-Moore we wish Western the best and know that Wichita’s loss is definitely his grandkids’ gain. However, we also know that we speak for all of Wichita when we ask… Who is going to fill Johnny Western’s shoes? But we all know the answer…Nobody.
Congratulations, Johnny, and THANK YOU for all you’ve done for Wichita!