A Salute to Wings Kalahan, Voice of the NSRA for 42 Years
On September 22, an era in our hobby came to an end. At the NSRA Northeast Nationals in Burlington, Vermont, NSRA DJ Wings Kalahan signed off the air for the last time. Wings had been the voice of NSRA events for 42 years. Every event day started with Wings cranking up the sound of chickens clucking, Don Pardo’s voice would greet us “good morning,” and the American Bandstand theme would ring out over the PA system. Caps would come off as Wings played a rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
I know that morning wakeup call by heart because I’ve heard it more than 330 times. Between 1996 and 2005, I worked the NSRA circuit, attending every day of every event held in the United States. During those years, I became good friends with the golden-throated Wings. While the NSRA crew didn’t travel together between events, we would all roll into the next fairgrounds on Thursday to begin setting up for the weekend. We were like a touring rock band, a fraternity, and chrome-plated carnies all rolled into one.
Life on the rod run circuit is fun, but the days are long and the behind-the-scenes work is hard—and there were some evenings when the crew would stay up later than we should have. Wings was with us on most of those evenings, but there was a difference. In the morning, while the rest of us just had to get to our various fairgrounds displays, Wings had to get on the microphone at 9 a.m. to entertain the participants. As the rest of us woke up at our own pace, Wings helped with some great rock ’n’ roll. Wings was the voice that kept each day moving along. He made important announcements, kept us informed about the weather, and reminded people to come to his trailer to see if they were a lucky winner of a door prize. At the end of each day, he would wrap up on the air and go back to being one of our band of brothers.
In 2006, I moved on to create a new STREET RODDER Road Tours format—with people joining me in my travels. Suddenly, I was the one talking to participants every morning and directing the action of the day.
I look back fondly on my days on the NSRA circuit. It was a great time and I have some wonderful memories. Wings helped to make it that. He and wife, Mary, will now have time to actually enjoy the hobby they love at their own pace. Nick Donavon is the new voice of NSRA, and he will do a great job. But there will never be another Wings Kalahan. Happy trails, pal!
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