Before Podcasts, America Had Paul Harvey

Oklahoma is known for many things. Tornadoes, obviously. Oil and gas. The reigning NBA champion OKC Thunder. Toby Keith, Cross Canadian Ragweed, and Stoney LaRue... But at another time, Oklahoma was known for something even bigger.

A gargantuan Oklahoma radio legend.

If Will Rogers was Oklahoma's favorite son, Paul Harvey was a close second.

It may be before your time, but at one point in time, Tulsa native Paul Harvey hosted a short but impactful radio show that was heard across the country. Coast to coast. His legendary voice and captivating storytelling made everyone stop whatever they were doing and listen intently.

Paul Harvey's 'The Rest of the Story' was almost always only a few minutes long and split into two segments. He'd start things off with an introduction of himself, then offer up a teaser to get your attention. After a few "short messages from our sponsors," he'd open things up again with "And now, the rest of the story," at which point he'd deliver the most random and interesting story in four minutes or less.

Shut Up, Paul Harvey's On!

My local hometown station played Paul Harvey every weekday at noon, and believe me, even the local refinery would hit pause on producing gasoline until Paul was done talking.

While it followed a trend from days long gone in radio, more on par with the 1950s rather than the 90s, it was universally epic every. single. day.

My nephews, who have never heard a Paul Harvey story in their lives, got addicted to his past broadcasts on YouTube after that Ram Trucks Super Bowl commercial featuring his "God Made A Farmer" speech from the national FFA convention in the 70s.

They couldn't believe short-form podcasts were popular in the 90s.

I know I keep refering to The Rest Of The Story in the 90s timeline, that's when I remember hearing it most often. Truth be told, Paul started this type of program in the early 1950s, called Paul Harvey News and Comment. That eventually became what we remember it being now in 1976.

Not bad for a kid from Tulsa with a high school education, who started working in radio at 14 years old sweeping floors. Getting his shot on the air as his voice developed into his signature style. His career took him from Oklahoma to Pearl Harbor, the Midwest, and Chicago, where he really honed his niche.

The Rest Of The Story was a family affair, written and produced by his son for the entire six-days-a-week schedule that lasted 33 years. In fact, in 2001, Paul Harvey set what had to be a then-record for most valuable radio contract with ABC, 10 years, $100 million for six stories a week.

Legendary.

Google says Paul's 'Rest of the Story' is still syndicated across America, but the list of stations that carry it are few and far between, and none of them are within listening distance of Oklahoma. But luckily for the rest of us, the bulk of his broadcasts are still readily available on YouTube.

Paul Harvey wasn't just the trusted voice of America, he was the beating heart of Oklahoma.