After 41 Years, Smith Still Broadcasting

Jess Smith has been tear gassed, dog bit and shot at, “and I had an absolute ball,” he said.

Smith, 65, was referring to the voters rights march from Plaquemines Parish to Baton Rouge, La., in the 1960s. Smith covered the march and other events from the Civil Rights Movement for radio stations KWKH (famous for the Louisiana Hayride show a few years earlier) and KEEL, both in Shreveport, La.

Smith is now news director at Clear Channel Communications’ Fayetteville radio stations KIX 104, Magic 107.9, 93.3 The Eagle and Hot Mix 101.9. He’s been broadcasting for 41 years.

If that doesn’t keep him busy enough, for the past 14 years, Smith has played a street character named “Farcheef” on weekends in Branson, Mo.

“I dress up in an 1880s fire chief costume and stand out in front of Fire in the Hole (a carnival ride) and throw water on the kids and hug the moms and harass the guests,” Smith said. “After 14 years, I’m making enough to pay for my weekend and stay in a motel room.”

Smith said he fell into broadcast journalism on the day he was discharged from the Army. Radio station KJPW signed on right outside the gates of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. So Smith headed right over there and landed his first radio job — as news director, no less.

Six months later, Smith and another employee were laid off in a last-hired/first-fired cost-cutting effort. Smith enjoyed the work, so he decided to do it for free. He kept going to work, and KJPW kept paying him.

“I got fired but I wouldn’t leave,” he said. “So they kept me on the payroll.”

Although he’s had a colorful life and cuts up on the weekends, Smith takes journalism seriously.

“The only reason a radio station or television station exists is to make money,” he said. “Nobody in corporate really cares what kind of job you’re doing as long as you’re making money, so you have to set your own standards.”

Among his honors, Smith has won two national Headliner Awards, which are given by the Press Club of Atlantic City, N.J.