ENMU alum went on to have successful radio career

Courtesy photo

ENMU alumni Jim and Norma Slone over the years.

The Eastern New Mexico University freshman from Causey who couldn't dance well while others congregated around the Student Union Building's jukebox in fall of 1954, went on to sell his conglomerate of radio stations for $65 million about 11 years ago.

In school, Jim Slone was known for his love of music and his vocal ability, but he majored in general business.

Although radio wasn't his initial goal, his love for music drew him to ENMU's radio station, KENM, where he started his successful career in radio.

In 2001, Slone went on to sell his five radio stations in Tuscon, Ariz. Slone has also donated money and instruments to his alma mater because he said he wanted to give some of his financial rewards to ENMU's Music Department, where he had the most fun.

"Jim Slone is without a doubt one of our most distinguished graduates," said ENMU President Steven Gamble. "Since he's left Eastern, he's been highly successful in radio. He has also been very generous to the university by sponsoring scholarships and helping the music program."

Here is a look at Slone's journey:

Jim Slone, ENMU alum

Beginnings at ENMU

Slone enrolled at ENMU in the fall of 1954. That same year, he met his future wife Norma Lozier from Roswell, who taught him how to dance.

"I was pretty stuck on her and she said she was stuck on me," Slone said.

Slone's major may have been general business, but his heart was in his music.

"I liked pop music crooners and groups," Slone said. "To be another Perry Como was my goal. I sounded like him."

Slone enjoyed choir tours and doing solo work for assemblies. He was elected sophomore class president, voted Outstanding Man in his junior class and played intramural basketball, but said he was most known for his singing.

He was drawn to KENM because a friend who worked there suggested he get a job. He started covering sports play-by-play as well as some announcing and disc jockey work.

"I really loved that, especially playing records," Slone said. "Eastern was a good place for me, loving music. The music department was exceptional, well-known through the Southwest."

The Shy Guys

After Slone graduated in 1959, he went toured for six months with his musical trio called The Shy Guys. Slone was the lead singer and said their sound was similar to traditional pop music quartet, The Four Aces.

"That was an extremely enjoyable experience," Slone said. He added how great it felt to hear their record play on the radio.

"We had great hopes to become a successful singing group but after six months, we were about to be called up for the draft, so we disbanded the group and joined the service.

Radio success

After his service in the army, Slone went onto his first professional radio job in Farmington, where as a disc jockey he played everything from smooth jazz to classic rock.

He eventually made his way to an Albuquerque station, where his radio career rocketed. He went from being a popular disc jockey to general manager and eventually he began to acquire multiple stations.

"I was very fortunate to have a career like that where you love what you did so much," Slone said.

According to Slone, through his work, he became good friends with country singer Glen Campbell.

"It's been great to see him grow into the icon he became," said Slone. Slone said he also became friends with country singers Willie Nelson and Buck Owens.

Slone's career took him to Tuscon before retired and sold his five stations there for $65 million.

"That's a shocking number, there's a lot of zeroes in there," Slone said. "I was just doing what I love to do."

Philanthropy

"When I sold my stations, I called Steve Gamble and said, 'does the music department need anything?,'"

He was put in contact with the choir director, who told him what they needed most was a new grand piano.

"It gave me a lot of joy to pay for that piano because I could financially and because I had the most fun in that department," Slone said. He also donated other instruments and band uniforms.

Slone has also funded two $50,000 scholarship endowments at the university, one specifically for vocal scholarships.

"I just think by nature he's a very generous person and I think he realizes the impact ENMU has had on his life and his career," Gamble said.