made the transition to talk radio in 2001, following the retirement of KENI's longtime morning host Dick Lobdell. Rydell's program focused on local and state politics and current events. The show shot up from 17th to #1 within six months and remained a highly-rated show for years. Rydell then broadcast weekday mornings on 650 KENI Rydell previously simulcast his show to Fairbanks station KFBX, as well as contributed commentaries to the station's newscasts. Amongst Rydell's awards for his various radio programs, he was named "Best Morning Show" by The Oregonian in 1988, "Best Comedy Series" in 1994, "Best Radio Show" in 2005, and "Most Uniquely Alaskan Radio Show" in 2006 by the Alaska Broadcasters Association. Rydell himself was named Alaska Republican Man of the Year for 2004 by the Republican Party of Alaska. In 2012 Rydell was referred to as an "All-Time Great Local Host" during the Conclave Learning Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He retired from radio in December 2018 after accepting a position in the Alaska Department of Fish and Game offered him by the governor. Bibliography In September 2007, his first book, Alaska Happens, was published. A book of short stories about hunting and fishing in Alaska.Alaska Happens became one of the best selling Alaska books at local book stores. September 2008, Blood on the Tundra. More Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife in Alaska, was published and released. A follow up to "Alaska Happens" and reported to have "a nostalgic tone to some of the stories" and "a sad farewell to the waning "golden age" of hunting in Alaska during the last half of the 20th century. May 2009, began as a regular article contributor for Fish Alaska and Hunt Alaska magazines. Personal life He has frequently mentioned on the air over the years that he is a booster of the programs of South Anchorage High School. He has also worked as a mechanic, lead singer of multiple rock bands, a hunting and fishing guide, and as a contractor. Chronological list of radio stations worked KGHL - Billings, Montana KXLO/KLCM - Lewistown, Montana KREM (FM) - Spokane, Washington KOJM/KPQX - Havre, Montana KZLS - Billings KZBQ - Pocatello, Idaho KWLS (now KMMM) - Pratt, Kansas KBLI - Blackfoot, Idaho KTKU - Juneau, Alaska KZZU - Spokane KJRB/KEZE - Spokane KKZX - Spokane KMJK - Portland, Oregon WNCX - Cleveland, Ohio KBFX - Anchorage, Alaska KNIK - Anchorage KENI -