WHAT’S YOUR STORY?
“JOHN BOY” PELLETIER An interview with the recently retired Jackson County broadcasting legend following a 53-year career STORY BY BRYAN KURP PHOTO PROVIDED What made you first get interested It looked almost more like a hot dog I’m vice president and treasurer for stand than a mobile unit. We would the Wellston Ministerial Association. in broadcasting? Actually, getting into broadcasting spin the records. We would do the I’m president of the Wellston Alumni was an accident. When I was paying news and do everything live from the Association and also president of the my way through college at Ohio fair. That would turn out to be eight-, Wellston J-Vac, which is a non-profit individual board that supports the University, I was playing music and ten-, twelve-hour days. my equipment was so large that I You’ve been pastor at Wellston adult members of our community that couldn’t store it where I lived, so I Presbyterian Church the past have disabilities. Also, I’m a member of was storing it at the local radio station, 25 years. How did you get into the Jackson County United Fund board too. That’s some of the things that keep which was a house on Route 788. becoming a pastor? The manager, when I was picking I never intended to get into me busy since I’m no longer working. up the equipment one day, was broadcasting and I certainly didn’t Tell us about your nickname, “John basically complaining about not being expect to get into the pulpits, but it just Boy.” able to get anybody to work and he happened. One of the reasons I did it Radio announcers never used asked me if I knew anything about is because when I started 25 years ago, their own name. I started out with radio. Then, he tore o a bunch ofin the Scioto Valley Presbytery, there “John Russell,” that was my middle news o the UPI wire and sat me inwere, I would say, maybe 10 to 12 name. When I went to WBNS, I was front of the microphone and introed churches with no pastors in the pulpit having a real problem because I signed the news and had me do the news— and the reason for that is, some of on as “John Pelletier” but was used to and I was awful. But he must have the older, smaller churches could not saying “John Russell,” so I kept going been desperate because he hired me aord a full-time pastor. They letback me and forth. part time and I literally fell in love come back to my own home church and Then, I got a call on the red hotline with the business. this is where my parents worshipped. and he said, “John, make up your What are some of your favorite This is in my own community, and I’ve mind today with what you’re going been here ever since. to be, John Russell or John Pelletier.” memories from your career? The one that comes back to me What are some other ways that you So, I went with my regular name then. Later on, my wife gave me the name a lot, and we discuss [it] when we are involved in the community? talk old times, is when we used Well, I’m currently a Rotarian. I’m of “John Boy” that originated from my to broadcast live from the Jackson with the Wellston Rotary Club, a past grandfather. My wife’s always been County Fair. Back then, we would do president and a Paul Harris fellow. calling me that all along so that sort the fair all day long. We had a remote I’m also currently the president of of snuck in there, and then everyone unit that was not enclosed, it was open. Jackson County Habitat for Humanity. knew me as “John Boy.” 46 | WINTER/SPRING 2022
