JOHN
TROTTER Honest
John Trotter (born in Ft. Smith, Arkansas) was one
of the prominent air personalities on Chicago’s
Country radio station WJJD. John Trotter began his
work in radio at a $13.50 weekly salary as announcer
and janitor. In 1946 he took up radio again by voicing
three lines on his sister’s radio show. By 1950,
John was doing three shows a day for three different
stations in Ft. Smith: KFPW, KWHN & KFSA. He moved
to Tulsa to join KRMG, and he later joined KAKC where
Chris Lane was Program Director. Trotter’s next
move was to KABC in Hollywood as Program Director in
1955. There he earned fame in 1958 when he initiated
the first helicopter traffic reports Trotter was also
the “voice” on Walt Disney Presents for
two years. While working for station KILT in Houston,
Trotter threw his hat in the ring as candidate for
mayor. Although he didn’t win, the race was so
close that a recount was necessary. This was the source
of the nickname “Honest John”, which stuck
with him for the rest of his career.. John’s
next stop was San Francisco station KEWB. In 1965,
friends George Dubinetz and Chris Lane urged him to
sign with station WJJD, where Lane was now Program
Director. Trotter won the Gavin Award that year, and
again in 1967. In 1966 John received a letter from
President Johnson commenting on a record Trotter made
called “The Square.” After several years
in Chicago, Honest John moved to station KBOX in Dallas,
TX and retired to Abilene, TX in 1974. He passed away
on May 19, 1976. John Trotter was inducted into the
Country Music D J Hall of Fame in 1996.
