"It's exactly the way it was fifteen years ago.  Exactly the way it was." 

In a building where radio stations sprout like sunflowers, Gene Countryman's little talk show has been an oasis of positive Kansas information. 

"A very pleasant good morning to you wherever you may be."

For fifteen years every Saturday morning at ten, Countryman, who grew up in Kansas radio tells good folks what's good about their state.

"When I first started the program a friend of mine called up and said you have a terrible problem if you're just going to talk about Kansas for an hour because there just isn't anything to do."

He's been in some form of promotion most of his career, even living overseas in England.  But has always come back to Kansas. 

"We talk with friends around the country about this beautiful weather and more and more they are jealous of us living here." 

"Kansas has been the butt of jokes about how flat and boring it is to live here, and let's face it, some of it is not photogenic until you get to Eastern Colorado and then Kansas starts to look quite a bit better."

For years he's been trying to convince the state that our western heritage is important to visitors. 

"People are interested in cowboys and Indians and we have a wonderful western heritage here and people are interested in the trails to old Cowtown and the home of Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson and a great story to tell.  But there is a reluctance for whatever reason to tell that."

Gene Countryman's career in travel and tourism in Kansas is a wall of memories, but his radio show is here and now and his penchant for humor keeps his audience listening. 

"How long have you been listening to this program?"

"Forever, about 15 years." 

"Well, we're taping the program and if you can say something nice you might end up on Hatteberg's People on Sunday night, so it wouldn't be a total loss for you."

"Well I like your show and I like hearing what's going on."

"Gene Countryman's Kansas" can be heard every Saturday morning on KNSS radio at 10 a.m..