I just recently returned from Southwest Louisiana, where I got to spend some quality time with my Father before his passing—and got to take part in his Celebration of Life.
While I was there, I got the opportunity to listen to the radio in the area and one of my all-time favorite Morning Shows, “Walton & Johnson.”
This show has been on the air in Texas, Louisiana, and the surrounding areas since 1983. It originally began on Q93, WQUE in New Orleans. The original hosts were Houston natives Steve Johnson and John Walton.
Sadly, in 2019, John Walton passed away from complications of an illness. Steve continues to host the show with longtime producer Ken Webster Jr.
The show’s home base is now Houston’s KPRC AM. It airs on over a dozen stations on the Gulf Coast in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. I grew up listening to these guys, and it’s one of the reasons I wanted to be in radio. They were and (despite their political swing) are still one of my favorite morning shows.
What a lot of people don’t know is that the array of colorful characters on the show are all voiced by Steve Johnson. Yes, all of them. Billy Ed Hatfield: A redneck from Clute, TX, who served in the U.S. Army Special Forces during the Vietnam War. He often shares stories about his family and life in a double-wide trailer.
Mr. Kenneth: A flamboyant, gay hairdresser from Houston’s Montrose district. He owns “The Head Shed” salon. He is known for his witty remarks and unique perspective. Mr. Eaux (Pronounced O): A militant Black man from New Orleans, characterized by his bold opinions and satirical commentary on race and culture. It’s impressive how talented, witty, and quick Steve is on the show.
These voices were used to highlight, and often mock, extreme social and political perspectives. While some listeners found them hilarious and pointed, others saw them as racially and culturally insensitive. That being said, they always stuck to their schtick and remained authentic.
Unlike most music-formatted morning shows, The “Walton & Johnson Show” has no problem talking about politics. They are pretty indicative of the area in which the show airs (The South).
But no matter your politics, if you have a good sense of humor, you can tolerate their right-wing, conservative, “unique perspective” on things. They are truly unfiltered, a strategy which continues to make them #1 with adult men on all of their affiliates and has kept them alive and relevant for all these years.
I can’t begin to explain the amount of talent Steve Johnson has for what he does. Yes! I am a big fan! If we could find and groom young talent today to bring to the table what he does. What he has done for all these years, radio’s future would be solidified.
“Walton & Johnson’s” legacy is that of disruptors. Talk radio hosts who rejected moderation, embraced satire, and created a fiercely loyal community of fans who still follow them today.
They represent an era of radio that wasn’t afraid to challenge cultural taboos, and their continued survival in a changing media landscape is testament to their unique blend of humor, timing, and fearlessness.
Follow “Walton & Johnson” on Instagram at @waltonandjohnson and www.ilovewj.com.
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Charese Fruge’ is an award-winning Content, Broadcast, and Marketing executive with over 20 years of experience in markets like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, San Diego, and Las Vegas. As the owner of MC Media, she works with radio brands and individual talent, especially young women, helping them grow their brands and negotiate on their own behalf. She is also a Voice Actor and Voice Over Talent as well as a Freelance Writer for International Broadcast Outlets. Find her at @MCMediaOnline or www.mcmediaonline.com.
