Byron Rice:  

Life Thanks for taking the time to check up on me. To say it's been an interesting ride since 1969 would be an understatement. I'll do my best to squeeze the last 34 years into 4000 characters or less. After DHS I started NTSU majoring in business. My parents wanted me to become a banker like my dad. Algebra and accounting proved to be a road block for me, so the major was switched to radio/television after someone said I had a unique voice. Having cut my teeth on KLIF like the rest of us, the prospect of becoming a radio DJ had appeal to me. I left NTSU without a degree and set out to seek my fame and fortune at a small AM top 40 station in Liberal, Kansas. I operated under the name of Ron Rice for 6 months. The opportunity came up for me to move to the #1 station in Wichita Falls, and I wanted to get a little closer to Denton. The move was made March 1, 1972 to top 40 KTRN. A new name was in order and the station brought me on the air as Mad Joe Martin. Unlike most radio DJs, I stayed in this town all these years. I started working as a DJ in the clubs in '73. I still do that to this day. A year later I started my own entertainment company that caters to weddings and coporate events. This company still operates in N. Tx and Oklahoma. Some might say that I have been paid to party for the last 30 years. I continued to work radio in Wichita Falls until 1998. Several stations were worked over the years. My last radio job was doing mornings on a classic rock station. One of the highlights of my radio carrer would have to include broadcasting my show from the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland. I also worked with numerous bands over the years as a show opener or MC. Back in the 80s, I even got to MC the show for Lindy Wilson's band when it came to town. Some might remember a guy named Bobby Keith (DHS class of 68). He played with nationally known Point Blank and I opened that show. Others that come to mind are Joan Jett, Grass Roots,...Expand for more