I finally figured out why I love Kansas City so much.
Yes, it's a great town. Big city with a small town feel. The West! Bar-b-que, steak, cowboys. But for me, when I was a kid, we would travel to KC during the holidays. When I was at Kemper, we would come up for special events; parades, the American Royal, concerts, ball games. Things like that.
I remember my first concert; it was at the American Royal. I remember seeing Crystal Gail. I made it to near the stage when she sang "Don't it Make My Brown Eyes, Blue" and all the flash bulbs going off, her long hair and her voice. Not to mention before we had paraded in Kansas City and also presented the colors. I remember my friend Webb taking pictures of her and him giving me one. Then the long bus ride back.
Also the Shrine Circus and lights popping there also. Like miniature suns exploding in the darkness of night.
I remember seeing the Royals play the Texas Rangers.
I remember going to Worlds of Fun for senior night, and hanging with Miner. And meeting some girls that we hooked up with for the rest of the time there. The Scream Roller and the view of the skyline.
All of these and more; Christmas lights, Thanksgiving with family, the travel to and from the farm, stopping at Nickerson's Farm and then when I was old enough; for me to drive up here on my own. Quick Trip, which hadn't made it to Columbia was a big deal I thought. The different malls. Oak Park Mall. Blue Ridge Mall was still here and Crown Center was a still new. Leaving KCI for any trips-there was n o t h i n g out there at that time.
The radio stations which I could barely get in mid-Missouri. At that time AM was still big: 610 was WDAF, 710 was WHB and 810 was KCMO. The same for the TV stations. I always loved channel 41 KSHB and there was channel 5 and 9 which was KCMO I believe. And Dick Wilson. To me that man was Kansas City. Glad to hear him on 94.9 KCMO which plays the oldies, but at the time that was the music I loved and still do! Hope to eventually get an autographed picture of him someday, preferably me shaking his hand.
All of this and more make Kansas City very special to me. Those memories are some of the best times of my life. They add up to many reasons why I love Kansas City.
