Steve Curren

My first real job
I began my career at MissouriNet/Brownfield in the spring of 1975.  I was hired as a clerk and I worked in Centertown.  When I started, there was only Clyde, Derry, Don Osborn, Verni and Jim Lipsey out at the Farm.

Driving Mr. Brownfield
Clyde was not quite sure what to do with me so it was suggested that I accompany Derry to his speaking engagements.  I was amazed--these farmers worshiped Derry!  We would eat dinner and he would speak and then we would have to socialize a bit.  Actually, I just waited around while Derry tossed back a few (way more than a few) and then I was his driver.  I was a designated driver before designated driving became cool.

Derry would lie down in the back set of this huge Chrysler and would talk, argue to himself, sing and then fall into a snoring slumber as I drove the “Prince of Farm Broadcasting” back to Centertown.

I think it was Derry who suggested that I call auction houses and auctioneers about running a “Special Brownfield Auction Schedule”.  I can’t remember how much we charged, but I sold a lot of them and this was my first introduction into radio sales and the reason I became Learfield’s 2nd Salesperson.

State radio conventions
NASRN meetings were great fun for me and I have some really great stories from those trips.  One time we had gathered in the hotel bar and Rick Parish of Oklahoma and I wanted to play a joke on Clyde so we asked him what room he was in and he gave us his room number.  Well, Rick and I went out and hired two “ladies of the evening” to come back to the hotel with us.  I went up to the front desk, gave them my room number, and asked for a replacement key because I’d left mine in the room. This was before security was such a big deal and you did not have to show ID.  So, Rick, our two “escorts” and I marched up and into Clyde’s room.  Problem was it WASN’T Clyde’s room!  The guy who occupied the room did not think we were funny at all. Clyde later told us that he thought something was up and gave us the wrong room number on purpose. 

A salesman is born
After selling a bunch of ads to auctioneers, Clyde decided to let me sell to advertising agencies in Kansas City.  This was pretty exciting, considering I had just turned 20 and was very young to be a salesman calling on agencies. I sold a lot of ads and made a ton of money.  However, there were some downsides.  One time at a “three martini lunch” when the bill came the waiter asked to see my ID.  The jig was up and the client had to pay. Another time, Clyde and I were at some event and we were having lunch with a bunch of clients--there must have been 6-8 of us at a big round table.

Clyde thought it would be fun to play the game:  how old do you think Curran is?  Of course, everyone thought I was well over 21.  Well, this tickled Clyde very much and he decided to let everyone know that I was only 20.  Everyone looked at me like an interloper and I felt like I should be holding a big lollipop.   I was embarrassed and was miserable, but old Clyde sure thought it was funny.

It was a great time
I am so thankful for my experience in Jefferson City.  I have remained friends with Clyde and Sue and watched their kids grow up.  I have enjoyed watching the growth of Learfield during the last 30+ years.