Hello there, I’m Lani Novak. I’m on the air here at Country Legends from 5:30 a.m.-10 a.m., weekdays.

I can’t tell you how glad I am that your choice for country music is our station, Country Legends 106.9!  I’ve worked here for almost ten years.  WOW, I just had to ask Fisher how long I’ve worked here because I can never remember.  Before I worked here my longest radio gig was like three years!  I love this radio station, and from what I hear you do as well. 

I’ve been in radio for almost 25 years now and it’s the best business in the world if you can stay employed…and that’s always the problem.  It’s so cool that I work for a radio station in a large market that is now and always be “live” because most aren’t anymore.

My favorite part of this job—besides meeting great folks such as yourself—is meeting the country superstars.  And since I’ve been here I’ve met many.  I can think of three or four that I haven’t met and am still looking forward to meeting:  Merle Haggard (although I did sneak backstage and shake his hand at TPAC), Willie Nelson, Charley Pride & Dolly. 

I love listening to stories from the stars and believe me they have many.  I find something different that’s really cool about every one that I meet.  For instance, Gene Watson is really shy and quiet.  Those are the ones that I try to be on my “best behavior” around.  I certainly don’t want them to think bad things about me.  For a couple of years, I thought Gene Watson didn’t like me (I figured I must’ve said something really out of line around him).  Come to find out, he has nothing against me…he’s just shy.  Unlike my friend Johnny Lee.  If you’ve ever met Johnny, then you already know!  The man is a hoot and I love him very much.  I never have to worry about what I say around him.  I don’t know if I’ve ever told my favorite Johnny Lee story on the air (probably not) but here it is.  Last March, (and I only remember that because he & I watched basketball all day) he was doing two shows at Annie’s Country Jubilee in Tonganoxie and I was there to “present” him for both shows.  We sat in Terry & Annie’s apartment and talked and watched basketball for hours between shows…it was great!  Anyway, I was packing my car and getting ready to leave.  Johnny follows me out to my car (odd since he usually didn’t walk me to my car), he opens the car door for me and I’m throwing stuff into my car.  I turn around to tell him “thanks” and he hands me $100 cash!  He said, “Lani I know you don’t get paid to sit here with me all day long and I just want to say thank you, you’re alright.”  It was a “speechless Lani moment” that doesn’t happen very often.  I tried to give the money back to him but he wasn’t havin’ it.  I couldn’t tell you how many shows I’ve done with Johnny (many) but he’s an amazing man.

Howard & David Bellamy….love those guys & their band members too!  The last time I did a show with them at Middle Creek Theater, they asked if they could have another Country Legends t-shirt.  I said “um, yes of course”.  Then they went on to tell me how much they love those t-shirts and wear them all the time.  In fact, David told me that he throws his in the back of his truck so that he has a clean t-shirt whenever he goes to the beach or if he’s on the farm working and needs a clean shirt!  Their band members told me that they’ve worn our t-shirts on the beach in other countries!  How cool is that?  I could go on about these stars all day long…I love ‘em so much.

Okay…onward and upward.  I recently purchased some property in NW Osage county and I’m so excited to get out there and get to work.  That should keep me quite busy for a couple of years!!  You know I’ve lived in the city my whole life and have always wanted to live in the country.  So, I’m putting a cabin on the property, gonna grow a great garden and have some animals:  two baby fainting goats, a baby pig, a couple of dogs and my cat, Camelot. 

I love to travel—mainly to Hawaii to spend time with my family.  But Fisher and I have gone on two cruises and I’ve loved that because I really like to see places that I haven’t ever seen and meet people from other places.  It gives me a an understanding of people in general.  And since I meet so many people, it just helps.

Just please remember that because I’ve met so many people, I rarely remember names.  And try not to hold that against me.  Oh, I almost forgot, I’m writing a book about my years in radio and someday (most likely after I get fired or retire), it will be out there, for everyone to read my country legends and radio stories!  Wish me luck.

And thanks again so much for choosing Country Legends! 

Lani