Come Together

Tulsa's radio market may not be quite as competitive and cut-throat as some other cities, but it's a rare occasion when you see nearly all the stations in town set everything aside to join arms for a cause.

That's exactly what is happening next Thursday night, however, as 17 local stations including the Clear Channel, Cox Radio and Shamrock Communications groups come together to benefit Jan Dean in her battle with brain cancer.

To see such an outpouring of concern and spirit of community come from all corners of Tulsa radio speaks volumes of Jan's character and all she has invested in Tulsa radio over the years.

When she was diagnosed with Brain Stem Gioblastoma last July, it sent a shock wave throughout the local radio community and now virtually every local station is stepping up to help Dean in her time of need.

For those unfamiliar with the disease, Gioblastoma is among the most serious manifestations of brain cancer and current survival rates from the affliction are miniscule at best. A doctor in Houston has been performing an experimental treatment (which is about to be approved by the FDA), that has seen an increased survival rate of nearly 33 percent. Now, that may still seem low, but it's still a world better than barely a 1 percent chance of survival without the treatment.

With that prognosis and the promise of a better chance of survival and recovery, radio stations form all over town are coming together and pitching in with fund raising efforts to help pay for Jan's medical expenses and the aggressive treatment procedures in Houston.

What, aside from the tragedy of such a situation, would inspire so many entities to band together for a single, cause and person, however?

Those who have to ask don't know Jan and haven't been touched by her genuineness and concern for others during her 25+ year career in Tulsa radio.

A Career Tulsan

Jan began her broadcasting career in 1979 as a weekend and overnight DJ at KWEN before moving on to K107. It was there that Dean truly established her identity as an on-air personality with "Bed Check," which quickly became one of Tulsa's most popular nighttime radio shows. After being promoted to program director at K107 and moving on to KTSM as a morning co-host and PD, Dean eventually landed at Shamrock Communications, where she spent the majority of her career.

At Shamrock, the parent company of KMYZ and KTSO, Jan held number of positions over the years, including on-air talent, program director, operations manager and general manager. Some even credit her for the success of The Edge (KMYZ), Tulsa's only remaining modern rock station, as she was one of the few who believed early on that the format would work here.

Currently, Dean holds the title of non-traditional revenue (NTR) manager at Clear Channel Radio. What sets Jan apart from the crowd, however, isn't the number of titles she's held or even the number of stations she has worked for. Jan's reputation is built upon the relationships she has built with her peers throughout Tulsa and beyond.

Part of a Family

Ask anyone who has worked with Dean and they will tell you that she was never just another boss. She built personal relationships with the people she came into contact with and truly made those around her feel like they were part of a team or a family.

Jan gave many people in Tulsa (like The Edge's Chuck "The Sports Guy" Stikl) their first jobs in radio and continued to stick with them. Although many radio personalities have departed to go to larger markets, she has remained in Tulsa throughout her career.

No matter what you do, when you go to your job, it's still work, but Stikl and Paul Kriegler (program director for KTSO, The Sound) at Shamrock Communications both agree that Jan was always more than just a boss or even someone great to work with.

That is why, as Kriegler shared with me, all of the radio stations are banding together now -- because Jan means so much to so many people. Dean's commitment and compassion encompass all areas of her life, both personally and professionally. She has always given back to the community, whether through involvement with DVIS (Domestic Violence Interventions Services) or by serving on various boards for local civic and non-profit groups.

Whether at work or at home, Jan was always there for those around her. Now the Tulsa radio community that she has invested so much time an effort in is stepping up to help her in a time of need.

Many stations have already held their own fund raisers, from KHITS morning show auction to KTSO, The Sound's "Pay to Play" promotion to The Edge's "Dinner with Chevelle" contest and auction -- and these are just a few of the individual efforts that have been made.

Next Thursday night, April 26, virtually all of Tulsa's radio community will come together at the Cain's Ballroom for "A Night For Jan." It's a fundraising concert event featuring music from local acts Band Camp and RadioRadio, along with an opportunity for Tulsa radio personalities to share their favorite stories about one of their favorite people.

The event starts at 7pm and admission is only $5, although you can feel free to donate more -- all proceeds will go directly to the Jan Dean Cancer Fund. There will also be a number of items, including a signed guitar, NASCAR tickets and various concert ticket packages, which will all be raffled off to raise funds for Jan's treatment and medical expenses.

More information about Jan and the event can be found online at www.anightforjan.com and further donations of any amount can be made to the "Jan Dean Cancer Fund" at any local Merrill Lynch office. Donations can also be mailed to:

Jan Dean Cancer Fund

c/o Merrill Lynch

6100 S. Yale, Suite 1500

Tulsa, OK 74136

I'm sure you will see mention of the concert again in next week's issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly as a reminder, but mark your calendar now and plan to spend an evening out on April 26. Not only will it be a good show, all proceeds go to a more than worthy cause and serve to give back to a lady who has already given even more to her community.