Monte Moore with NBC announcer, Curt Gowdy, in a broadcast booth prior to a national telecast of the 1972 World Series game between the Oakland A’s and Cincinnati Reds at the Oakland Coliseum.

Moore -who grew up in the small town of Hollis, Okalahoma, and traveled America - considers Porterville his home. Here, he managed to establish a dominant community role by ambitiously seeking to give back to people through news and events.

Some of Moore’s most memorable years date back to his term as an announcer for the Kansas City A’s major league baseball team in 1962. He held the occupation for 17 years, of which he announced 3,001 consecutive games. It was during this term that Moore served as a radio/television announcer for the NBC broadcast of the World Series, which the A’s won for three consecutive years: 1972, 1973 and 1974.

“To me, being able to host the World Series is truly exciting. It is a very exciting 10-day period,” said Moore.

In 1977, Moore left the A’s to start a family and purchase radio stations in Porterville. However, his love of baseball eventually led him back to another 13 years of broadcasting, in which he announced for teams that won the World Series in 1988, 1989 and 1990.

“As far as our industry, the number 1 job in broadcasting, to me, is in major league baseball. It was a lifetime dream and I was lucky to do it for 30 years,” Moore said.  

It was during this time that Moore not only met, -but befriended- such celebrated baseball figures as Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter, Rolly Fingers, Joe DiMaggio and National Basketball Association’s Wilt Chamberlin.

When Moore left the A’s to purchase K-TIP am and K100 fm radio stations in Porterville, he also signed a contract with NBC-TV and USA networks in order to announce the “Game of the Week.”

It was during his reign as manager of his own successful music and news network that Moore expanded his outreach to local citizens by delivering a broad range of news to listeners.

“My whole theory of owning a radio station was to serve the community and we gained a lot of recognition for what we did,” said Moore. When any music concert, parade or sports’ game was occurring in the community, K-TIP would broadcast it, because Moore believed that, “In order to have a successful radio station, you have to be involved in the community.”

One of the ways Moore was able to share his success with the community was by employing young college students and graduates to become broadcasters for his radio stations. In this way, they were able to gain a valuable experience for their aspired career as well as contribute to the network’s appeal to a broad spectrum of interests.

“I just have a real desire to help young people,” said Moore. Most of the young people he helped have gone on to fully pursue a career in communications, he said.

Though the biggest difficulty of owning a radio station was selling enough advertisement, -Moore said- censorship never came about as an issue during his time of management.

“We had hard, fast rules that there would be no profanity, so when I came [into management] I threw out a lot of records,” he said. Having reflected on the 20 years he ran the network, Moore said, “we had a very successfully operated radio station.”

One of Moore’s greatest known projects is the “Big League Golf-A-Rama,” which he created and directed in its run of 25 years, in order to fundraise for new equipment and a community school sports programs for the Porterville Youth Center. He was also one of the main founders of the Youth Center, though it is now under management of the city.

The golf tournament -held at the River Island Country Club- was a success that saw proceeds of about $800,000, altogether.

Former major league pitcher, Tex Clevenger, helped Moore in holding the event, as did Joe DiMaggio and others who appeared on the occasion. Major league star, Mark Maguire and his Foundation for kids contributed a $50,000 donation to the cause, as well.

Moore has a wife - Dionne- of 56 years and 3 children -Bruce, Donny and Diana- all of whom graduated from Monache High School. Bruce is a math teacher in England, Diana coached basketball at the Abilene Christian University, where she now, teaches; and son, Donny, is the Superintendent of parks and recreation, as well as the director of Porterville‘s Youth Center.

“We had a great family experience in this town. I have really enjoyed working with the people out here,” said Moore.

At a time, Moore considered the option of becoming a teacher at a broadcasting school in Texas. However, an acquaintance with Porterville College President, Dr. Rosa Carlson, sparked his interest in staying to acquire, yet, another local occupation.

In his late seventies, Moore continues to serve our community with conviction and honor, as the public information officer for PC.

“I love it. As long as I can help here and as long as they want me to, I will,” said Moore, about his current job, which includes releasing PC- related news to the public.

Moore continues to look forward to being able to provide opportunities for young people, through his persevering presence in the community and communications. Simply retiring isn’t on Moore’s agenda; as his intentions are to continue giving to the city of Porterville.

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