Last week I was driving on Hwy 105 by Lake Conroe and saw a billboard;

Congratulations Mary McCoy!

73 years on K-Star Radio!

I’m no math whiz … but how’s that possible? I remember writing about Dave Ward being honored for anchoring the news for 50 years on Channel 13. Like 50 years was forever, just this side of eternity.

To which Mary McCoy might say, “only 50 years? That’s adorable.”

Last year, Guinness World Records officially verified Mary McCoy as having the “longest career as a radio presenter/DJ (female).”

McCoy, 86, is still at it, hosting a two-hour show, 10 am to noon, Mondays through Saturday on K-Star Country, 99.7 in Conroe. Her co-host is Larry Galla, who’s been on radio for more than 50 years himself.

Here's a picture of McCoy from 1951.Courtesy of K-Star Radio

Again, “only 50 years? Hold my microphone.”

“People ask me when I’m going to retire. I tell them that word isn’t in my vocabulary. I don’t see the day when I won’t want to do my radio show,” the Texas Radio Hall of Fame member said.

McCoy made her debut on the country station in April, 1951 participating in a talent show. She was 12 years old. She performed I Want To Be A Cowboy’s Sweetheart by Patsy Montana.

“I want to be a cowboy’s sweetheart

I want to learn to rope and ride

I want to ride o’er the plains and desert

Out west of the great divide.”

When McCoy later heard a tape of herself singing she thought she sounded terrible and had flunked the audition. But the station manager liked her performance so much, he offered her a 15-minute show with her singing and playing guitar. He even found her a sponsor – Brown’s Sinclair Service Station.

A few months later, the 12-year-old was hosting her own show, playing records and doing live commercial spots.

How long ago was 1951?

Harry Truman was President of the United States.

Gas was 27 cents a gallon.

The average home in Houston was valued at $5,808.

Houston did not have a team in the NFL, MLB or NBA.

A McDonald’s hamburger was 15 cents. Fries were a dime.

The No. 1 song was Too Young by Nat King Cole.

The Oscar for Best Picture went to All About Eve.

The No. 1 television show was Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts. M*A*S*H wasn’t on TV yet – the actual Korean War was waging.

Over the years the station has been sold, call letters changed, disc jockeys and sales staff come and go. The only constant for more than seven decades and counting — Mary McCoy playing country hits and golden oldies

“Radio is all I’ve ever wanted to do,” McCoy said. “I started singing when I was 3 and I knew even then I wanted to be on radio. I’ve loved every minute. I’ve never lost my love for radio. There are days when I feel 16 and there are days when I feel 100. But I still come to the station every day to do the show with Larry. I love my co-workers and I love our listeners. It’s still the greatest joy of my life.”

Courtesy of K-Star Radio

Mary McCoy has been on the radio since