Oklahoma is known for many things. Tornadoes, obviously. Oil and gas. The reigning NBA champion OKC Thunder. Toby Keith, Cross Canadian Ragweed, and Stoney LaRue… But at another time, Oklahoma was known for something even bigger.
A gargantuan Oklahoma radio legend.
If Will Rogers was Oklahoma’s favorite son, Paul Harvey was a close second.
It may be before your time, but at one point in time, Tulsa native Paul Harvey hosted a short but impactful radio show that was heard across the country. Coast to coast. His legendary voice and captivating storytelling made everyone stop whatever they were doing and listen intently.
Paul Harvey’s ‘The Rest of the Story’ was almost always only a few minutes long and split into two segments. He’d start things off with an introduction of himself, then offer up a teaser to get your attention. After a few “short messages from our sponsors,” he’d open things up again with “And now, the rest of the story,” at which point he’d deliver the most random and interesting story in four minutes or less.
Shut Up, Paul Harvey’s On!
My local hometown station played Paul Harvey every weekday at noon, and believe me, even the local refinery would hit pause on producing gasoline until Paul was done talking…