The KXLJ TV and radio studios at 2433 N. Montana Avenue, about 1958. This Quonset Hut building has been demolished.

KXLJ (now KTVH) was the first television station in Helena, signing on the air January 1, 1958 as an NBC affiliate. The station was part of the "XL" Radio Network, along with stations KXLF Butte, KXXL Bozeman and KXLY Spokane, Washington.

Not long after KXLJ-TV signed on in 1958, Bob Magnus and two partners bought the station and changed the call letters to KBLL-TV. In 1969, former Montana Governor Tim M. Babcock bought the station and changed the station's call letters to KTCM (Television for the Capital of Montana).

Babcock sold the station to Lynn Koch in 1979, and the station changed call letters again, this time to KTVG. A few years later, Koch sold the station to Don Bradley, who again changed the call letters to KTVH (TeleVision for Helena), which remain to this day.

By 1988, the station was in financial trouble and Bradley sold it to Big Sky Communications. Big Sky Communications restored the station's financial health, and in 1997 sold KTVH to Beartooth Communications. (This info adapted from the Wikipedia entry about KTVH).

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For a detailed history of KXLJ and early Helena television, please visit this informative and entertaining KTVH site, created by long-time Helena broadcaster Wally Peel.

Once described as "Helena's Walter Cronkite", Alan 'Al' Keith Johnson, was the preeminent voice of Helena radio for almost 50 years.

Al's rich, warm voice, kindly manner and rock-solid professionalism made him a market mainstay in a notoriously capricious business. Al worked steadily in the Helena market from 1956 to 2004, making many friends along the way. Save for a short stint at KCAP around 1959, Al worked for KXLJ / KBLL.

Al's death in August of 2009 brought forth many stories and tributes, not only from his professional colleagues, but from people who only knew him through his broadcasts. Al had a way of connecting with people.

In addition to his work at KXLJ / KBLL, Al contracted to record commercials for numerous businesses and organizations, often through Sage Advertising of Helena. Some of his commercials aired over thousands of stations nationwide.

Al was famous among his co-workers not only for his perfect diction, but also for his ability to multitask, which is essential in broadcasting. According to Al's long-time co-worker Terry Bass, "He played the ukulele, rolled a cigarette, read the encyclopedia, played records and tended the teletype all at the same time." That may only be a slight exaggeration.

Al famously enjoyed his beer, was an inveterate cigarette smoker, and still lived to the age of 80. He played guitar and ukulele, developed his own photographs, cooked, and kept a garden.

The audio files which are linked to at the bottom of this page (the May 16 1981 Al Johnson Roast and the Aug. 14 2009 "Coffee Break" program) will provide you with the best insight into Al's character and talents, through testimonials by those who knew and worked with him.

Al's Early Years

Although Al hosted and produced numerous local radio shows during his career, many Helena Baby Boomers will fondly recall tuning in to KXLJ at 4:30 pm on weekdays for "Kiddie Corner", hosted by "Uncle Al". The half-hour show featured children's records and occasional mail-in contests.

As a dedicated "Kiddie Corner" listener, your editor still recalls Al commenting, after playing a Burl Ives tune, that Burl "...plays a mean guitar". He didn't talk down to kids, and was always entertaining.

One tune on the "Kiddie Corner" playlist that really stuck in listeners' heads (you'll hear it referenced in the 1981 Al Johnson Roast, linked to below) was Pinto Colvig's "Honkety Hank". You can hear it again by clicking the graphic below...

On May 16 1981, the Last Chance Press Club "roasted" Al Johnson. The event at the Colonial Inn was emceed by Helena broadcast veteran Terry Bass. "Roasters" and other participants include Art Donovan, Wally Peel, Rosetta Kamlowsky, Ron Davison, Bob Carroll, Doug Sutherland, Jimmy Harrington, Bob Howard, Bob Ruby, Les Liedle and Bob Henkel.

Intro by Lester Liedle of Valtron Recording Studio, who recorded the Roast and made copies available.

Thanks to Gladys Davenport for providing the cassette copy of the event, and to Ken Benner in Tucson, Arizona for reviving the old tape and making CD copies.

The Roast is about 90 minutes long, so these are very large mp3 files that will take some time to download...

Special thanks to Walli Johnson, Al's wife, who so kindly agreed to this online tribute, and provided all the wonderful photographs. Many thanks, Walli, and God Bless!

Special thanks also to Wally Peel, who spearheaded the gathering of material for this tribute to Al . Without his efforts, it would have been impossible. Thanks, Wally. You're tops!