The term “radio survivor” applies to Hollister native Buddy Hatton (born Clyde Hatton), who started as a rock DJ at KOMY in Watsonville after graduating from San Francisco’s Balboa High School. In 1961, he moved up to San Francico’s KOBY, then headed to Vancouver’s CKWX when KOBY switched from rock to MOR.
Leaving Canada behind to return to the States, Buddy worked a string of on-air and management jobs in Southern California, Georgia, and Las Vegas. There was a stop at KEEN in San Jose before Buddy finally landed at KSFO in 1975 at the age of 39. He received important advice from the great Don Sherwood on his first day: “Rent, don’t buy, kid”.
Buddy would eventually spend much of his career at KSFO, also contributing to the success of KLOK-FM and Magic 61 KFRC. After leaving radio behind, Buddy successfully produced travel films, taking himself around the world. Buddy Clyde Hatton finally retired from it all in the 2000’s.