KFML AM-FM  Colorado Free Form Radio

     KFML AM-FM  Colorado Free Form Radio
Text Box: KFML Conversation and Tribute to Bill Ashford, December 7, 2008 The Skype call started at Noon and ended about 1:40 The Participants in the conversation were: Malcolm Gault-Williams Ham Agnew Ed Chatham Herb Neu Jim Clancy Dan Fong Scott Coen ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————- We had the regular old-timers’ chats about people we met during KFML, but the conversation largely centered around Bill Ashford who is now in very poor health and does not have long to live. Malcolm suggested that we create an audio tribute to Bill and get it to him through his wife’s (Gail Ashford) cell phone and I suggested we also put it in print form to be read to him asap. This is that form: Dan Fong I’ll go first because I know that, like I said before Bill, that you didn’t have to do this to get those photographs (be in ICU). We said not to mention politics or the photographs, you know, to get your blood boiling, but I appreciate everything you’ve ever done for me, when you tried to promote me on the air…that’s why I sent you the photographs of you and John Denver. We were looking through all the photographs today and I was trying to describe a lot of them to everybody who was listening…the shots of you in the studio with Judy and the marijuana bag in the back and you on the horses and when we were out on the photo shoot there. It brought back a lot of memories…down at the shoe store in Denver trying to get a good pair of boots through our trade out. One of things I was saying was that we think about you in one word that would describe being around you was “fun”. It was always fun to be around Bill and I still think it always is. I actually enjoy your opinions about my photographs and it makes me feel good that you feel that good about them. I hope you get better. I’m thinking about you all the time. Jim Clancy Well Bill, it’s Clancy and I’m just checking in with you to tell you about many of our times at KFML. I remember the time you made me laugh so hard that I couldn’t read the news…(laughs) and I got like half way through it and I just had to quit! But, Bill, you know, what really amazes me about you is that I tune in FreeFormRock and I find some new music every time, I learn something, I find something new every time. You’re doing something you love, have the gift for it and you share it with all of us. And that’s what people love about the way you are. So there. Get better fella! Herb Neu Hey Bill, it’s Herb the salesman. I just want to say that you are an unforgettable person and I too, when I listen to your show on the internet, just come away in awe. I’ve always held you on a pedestal when it comes to communicating with other people and with your music. My respect has not been diminished one bit. I am still in awe and I’m just hoping and praying for your comfort and for your recovery and I know that God has already blessed you, and I’ll say it one more time: God Bless You. And thanks. Ed Chatham Here! Here! I’ll go along with that. This is Ed and I’m feeling pretty awful that you’re in the place that you are. We keep pulling for you and every time we pray you out of there something sucks you back in. I don’t know…I hope you’ll be gettin’ better and coming home and getting back on the radio, ‘cause the RockGarden misses you, I miss you. It’s just like going back to KFML and enjoying your evening shows. It’s amazing. And when you’re not there…you haven’t been there in a couple of weeks…and it still sounds like you’re there. You listen to it and it’s just like you’re playing the music. So that’s what I had to say. Scott Coen It’s Scott. I just wanted to say that you’re always an inspiration for everyone that was doing programming in Denver and it was just so rewarding that you did the rock garden. It’s provided me with so much entertainment and just listenability. It just lights up my day listening to your show and listening to your introduction of new bands, like The Shins (sp?). You’ve turned me onto a lot of new people. I’ve tried to turn your show, the RockGarden, onto everyone I’ve run into from Belize to Timbuktu. We love you buddy and hope to hear your original insight shortly on the air. OK? Ham Agnew This is Ham and we’d like you to stay with us a little bit longer. You’ve got a lot of stories left to tell. I’ve known Bill for almost forty years and I don’t think I’ve heard them all yet. So, we all want you to get well very soon.