Friday, August 17, 2012

It's Official: Stan Burford Retiring from KGO; Last Day is Sept. 28

Stan Burford
Stan Burford/KGO photo
What I reported here first is now official:

Stan Burford, the veteran traffic reporter and SF native, is retiring from KGO:

His statement:

After 51 years working in the media with 32 of those years calling KGO Radio my home, I'm calling it a career. I've achieved everything over the years that I've set out to do and my various roles have been extremely rewarding. Now, I'll get to spend more time with my wife and family. My last day on KGO 810 will be September 28.

I had written, based on an internal note from a KGO staffer, that perhaps Burford was being nudged out, but from all indications, Burford is leaving on his own terms.

We wish him a joyous retirement and salute his storied tenure.


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17 comments:

  1. Top of the list - simply the best.
    And gettin' while the gettin's GOOD!
    Good for Stan!
    Sam Van Zandt

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  2. Lu Hurley, Lin Durling and Stan Burford - I'm sure I'm not the only one who confused them at some point in the last 40 years. Happy retirement Stan.

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  3. I met Stan one time once, back in 1984, when I got a ride in the KGO Jetcopter, thanks to a Leukemia-thon contribution. He was pleasant, easygoing, but very professional then, and apparently he still is. Whether he's being nudged out or is leaving on his own terms, it's obvious he's doing it via the high road. Good for you, sir, and best wishes for a happy and successful 'next chapter'.

    Oh, and if Stan reads this, somewhere in this mess I call an office, I still have that photo, taken above the Berkeley hills. Hope you still have your copy.

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  4. Those Cumulus decision makers, I hope they go to hell.

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  5. Who leaves KGO first? Stan or Ronn?

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  6. What a breath of fresh air John Rothman filling in for Gil and Rhoda Gross today. A true pro before the onslaught of freak show talent tomorrow on KGONE. As to Mr. Burford. May he enjoy his retirement. I thoroughly enjoyed when he was a guest on the Matress Man's show. His breadth of knowledge regarding Bay Area roadway history is awesome.

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  7. I've Listened to stan Burford a long time befor the change & respect him a lot. I hope he has a great retierment & a a great
    time doing whatever comes next. He will be missed!!

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  8. Sir Stanley is a class act and we salute him for 51 years of service in the media. A gentleman and a true pro who really should have been more appreciated and given more opportunities than just being a traffic reporter. But he was the best at what he did! Congrats Stan!

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    Replies
    1. "just being a traffic reporter"? It's not as easy as it sounds. The good ones are few and far between. It's an unscripted juggling act that many other broadcast pros would not be able to handle.

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  9. Thanks for the accurate traffic reports and knowledge of the alternate routes, Stan. I lived by them for a number of years.

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  10. Before settling in San Francisco, I lived in Detroit, LA, and Chicago. The traffic reporters in those other markets could only dream of having the professionalism and pure classiness of Mr. Burford.

    Enjoy your retirement, sir.

    -Wayne

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  11. PS: Ya gotta love Cumulus' lack of attention to detail. Stan's KGO bio page, which you link to above, still has Stan returning to KGO for the afternoon traffic reports, never mind that he's been off the afternoon shift since...when?...the beginning of the year.

    -Wayne

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  12. As always,anybody named Stan has it upstairs. Bet he's a stud too.
    S

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  13. The only reason I ever tune into KGO is for T.R.A.F.F.I.C. And Stan is my wing man! Love you, Mr. B. Many happy adventures to you!

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  14. There is a relative handful of broadcast professionals in the Bay Area who radiate professionalism. Stan Burford is a longstanding member of that fraternity.

    Best wishes for the years to come, Stan. May they be many and may they be joyous!

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  15. Times they are a changing. The only constant is change. Radio is no exception. Life goes on.

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