BOISE, ID – Every day, for decades, Paul J Schneider has awakened the Treasure Valley with his golden voice, quick wit, eye for the detail and affinity for sports. Now, after over 51 years of media and radio broadcasting, Paul J Schneider has decided it is time to sleep in.
According to Schneider, “The last time I slept in was when I was on television and that is when I stayed up all night and THEN slept until 10:00am.”
Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter, who has been a frequent guest on Paul J’s shows as a state legislator, Congressman, Lt. Governor and Governor, said, “I have appreciated Paul J Schneider’s wit and wisdom as a mainstay on KBOI for almost my entire career in government. I have enjoyed waking to his commentary and his thought provoking analysis of the day’s most pressing issues. I always looked forward to hearing his play-by-play calling duties for so many years as the ‘Voice of the Broncos.’ I especially appreciated his counsel and the great friendship we have developed over the years!”
Paul J moved to Boise and started his career at 670 KBOI in June of 1967, shifting exclusively to radio in 1976. During the early years, Paul anchored the TV news and voiced the television replay of BSU football. From there he was quickly ushered in as the radio play-by-play voice for Boise State football and basketball which he held from 1973 to 2008. His radio career has spanned the encyclopedia of Treasure Valley history and during his career enjoyed one of the country’s largest radio audience shares as a part of “Dunn & Schneider” which aired from 1973 to 1993. Since 2001 Paul J. has hosted “Idaho Talks Live” with Chris Walton and throughout his career, Paul J and his morning partners have been at the top of station ratings.
“I have been privileged to work with great morning show partners and to be on AM radio in its heyday. I was able to call the Boise State games through their growth trajectory and when not all the games were broadcasted live on TV.” says Schneider.
Boise State University Head Coach Bryan Harsin had all of his plays called by Paul J as a quarterback for BSU and was the Broncos offensive coordinator for the 2007 Fiesta Bowl says, “Paul J. is about as iconic as they come when you think about Boise media and entertainment,” said Boise State Head Coach Bryan Harsin. “He will always be a part of Boise State athletics history and there is no question he bleeds blue. We wish Paul J. the best in his retirement.”
His storied radio career has seen plenty of benchmark moments, including but not limited to: the first radio interview with President Richard Nixon in 1972 after Watergate; covering the prison riots at the Idaho Penitentiary in 1971 and 1973; and calling Boise State Football’s first trip to the Fiesta Bowl in 2007.
Paul J says, recalling these moments, “Boise and I grew up together through those benchmark moments. My friend, baseball Hall of Famer, Harmon Killebrew, set up the interview with Nixon. We called Nixon on his birthday and he made us promise to not talk politics, so we had him predict the Super Bowl. Boise State’s Fiesta Bowl was a culmination of years of hard work and growth on their end. The riots were a subset of the conditions, overcrowding and the need for investments from the city.”
Boise Mayor David Beiter has had a regularly scheduled monthly morning appointment with Paul J and Chris on 670 KBOI. “Paul J’s 51 year career has made him one of the most recognized and trusted media voices in our community. We will forever be in his debt for his commitment to Boise and his hard work on its behalf. Thank you and congratulations on your distinguished career and retirement.”
Over 51 Years, Paul J has amassed several awards. Winner of over 50 Idaho State Broadcasting Association awards, Idaho Thoroughbred Horse Racing Hall of Fame, Citadel Broadcasting Legend Award, awarded Boise’s Key to the City in 2017, and most recently, a 2018 Boise State Athletic Hall of Fame inductee.
NewsTalk 670 General Manager Don Morin, who has worked with Paul J as both a sales representative and his General Manager for 10 years, says, “To have had the opportunity and pleasure to work with someone that is truly a broadcast icon in this market has been a career highlight for me. He has brightened the morning for generations of Boiseans. There are so few individuals in this industry that can match the commitment and contributions that Paul J has made to the broadcast industry and our community! Well done Paul J and thank you!”
To honor both his professionalism and his dedication, Paul J has both the press box at Albertsons Stadium and the Cumulus broadcast building home to the 670 KBOI studios named after him.
Nate Shelman came to NewsTalk 670 KBOI in 2008 as the afternoon drive talk host, now also serves as the station’s Program Director, “Every time anyone comes up the stairs into the station, they’re reminded of the foundation of 670 KBOI. Every time I sit in the chair to host the afternoon show, I know who sat in that same seat earlier in the day. I consider it a blessing to work with a true broadcasting icon.”
Chris Walton has worked alongside Paul J for the past 17 years, his longest tenured co-host, adds “Memories are based on your senses; on sights and aromas and the way things make you feel. To the people who have lived in this area the past five decades, Paul J. Schneider is a big part of what Boise sounds like.”
Over 50 years of working in radio, “I’ve been blessed to work with great people in a job that I truly love.” says Schneider.
Paul J’s final regular morning broadcast will be December 14th, 2018. Paul J plans to produce weekly features and blog for NewsTalk 670 KBOI as well as continue covering Boise State Football for Learfield Sports…and sleep in.
