Ghost in the Radio Station

Name:            Kristi Johnson
Email:           dizzymisslizzy2k@yahoo.com
Location:        Clovis, NM
ype:            Ghost
Date:            Thursday, April 06, 2000
Time:            12:23 AM

In October of 1995, I was hired on by a radio station in my hometown doing grunt work on the weekends. I reported to the station at 5:30 a.m. each Saturday and Sunday, and built the commercial reels for the two radio stations housed in the building. 

I had been there for about two weeks when I started having problems with equipment...the machines would malfunction and stop; we would suddenly, and for no reason, go off the air...annoying things of that nature. 

Now, I've always been a believer of ghosts, but had never actually had my own experiences. I had no reason to believe that these things were happening because of a ghost. But at 5:30 in the morning, exhausted and grumpy, I had little patience! One morning, after responding to two alarms, of which I found no reason for, I spoke aloud-very irritated and exasperated-"O.K.......if there's someone there, fine! That's completely cool with me! But I'm tired and I just want to finish and go home, so please...PLEASE quit messing with the equipment!" Of course I felt a little silly talking to no one and nothing (I was always alone when I worked), but I was tired and desperate and maybe a little bit delusional. 

Needless to say, I never had a single problem afterwards, not that day nor any day after that. The story doesn't end there. 

It was only a couple of weeks afterwards that I was sitting in the FM station building commercial reels. It was about 7:30 a.m., and I had about three minutes of "dead air" to record onto the reel. Three minutes of just sitting and waiting..... I started the three minute break, and sat back in my chair to wait for the timer to end. I was facing the door of the studio, which lead into a sort of lobby, where three different halls converged. Down one hall were the offices for the sales reps, the other hall lead to the control room (of which I had a perfect view, seeing as how two of the studio walls were windows, looking out into the control room and the hall leading to the control room.) The third hall lead into the center offices, which in turn lead into the lobby of the building. 

I was looking out the studio door, doing nothing and thinking of nothing in particular, when I saw an older man walk from the center offices into the office of the program director. He was white-haired, and dressed in a business suit. I did not see his face, but a slight profile and most of the back of his head. My heart stopped, and I caught my breath. I was a bit disturbed, thinking that I was alone, and just sat and stared at the door he entered...not moving, not breathing. After about a minute, when whoever it was had not yet exited the office, I gathered what little courage I had and walked over the the office door to see who was there. 

There was no one. Mind you, that office was extremely small, with only one way in and out...that door. I had never in my life felt fear like I had at that moment. First thing I did was call my parents in a panic! I insisted that they come to the station, along with my younger sister, and stay with me the duration of my shift! After I had the chance to calm down, about an hour later, I began to think about what I had experienced. I saw a ghost! The more I thought about it, the more excited I became! What an incredible experience! I was determined to find out about my ghost and what the story was. 

After some research, I discovered the identity of my ghost. The station was built by Norman Petty, somewhat of a pioneer in the history of rock-n-roll. Mr. Petty owned a studio in Clovis, where music legend Buddy Holly recorded. Mr. Petty also co-wrote many of Buddy Holly's biggest hits (check the writer's credits on your CD's...or old 45's!) The studio was originally downtown, but Mr. Petty built the current building about two miles south of town in a very rural area. Go into the men's bathroom and you'll find a shower. Rumor has it that his wife, Vi Petty, had several cats and Mr. Petty spent many a night sleeping at the studio because of this! He loved his job and he loved his radio stations. I believe that he still remains to keep an eye on things. His sense of humor is evident, hence the practical jokes he played on me with the malfunctioning equipment! 

It's been a couple of years since I worked at the station, but I feel that his presence is still there, making sure that things continue to run smoothly. I feel very privileged to have met Mr. Petty, and will never forget my experiences there!