SPAM is back on the radio.

Monday, September 13, 1999

SPAM™ is back on the radio.

For two days this week, it has been the talk of Guam.

Jon A. Anderson, president of Sorensen Pacific Broadcasting, visited Hormel Foods Corporation’s world headquarters in Austin.

Anderson is also the host of K-57 News Talk, a 6-10 a.m. each morning radio talk show. While co-host, Patti Arroyo bantered with listeners in the U.S. territory, Anderson did the same from the basement of Hormel Foods corporate offices.

"It’s been a really, really positive experience," said Anderson, taking a break from Wednesday’s broadcast. "In fact, we’re thinking of coming back for a Spam Jam celebration."

What do SPAM™TOWN USA and Guam have in common? Answer: SPAM, of course.

Carolyn Wyman, author of "SPAM – A Biography" calls Dorothy Horn, the "queen of SPAManian cuisine." Horn developed 500 recipes using the world-famous luncheon meat and published them in a book. She offers weekly food review spots on K-57.

Guam and Hawaii compete head-to-head or can-to-can for the title of SPAM capitol of the world.

That distinction stems, in part, from having a high current or former U.S. military population – which Guam has.

Located in the Mariana Islands, Guam serves as a vital U.S. air and naval base in the Pacific Ocean.

The United States made Guam a territory in 1950 and transferred its supervision from the U.S. Navy to the Department of Interior. The people became United States citizens.

Anderson saw a match made in a can, if not heaven, for Guam and SPAM.

The native of Aberdeen, S. D. started in broadcasting at the age of 16 and has worked in television as well as radio.

He brought the first talk radio show to Guam in 1985 and it has been a staple of listeners since.

Anderson claims Larry King and Paul Harvey as "radio heroes" but also claims his own style of broadcasting.

A talk show host must literally think by the seat of his or her pants and be knowledgeable or, at least, curious about many, many subjects when listeners call in.

Anderson first got the idea for a broadcast from the birthplace of SPAM, when he discussed doing remote broadcasts off-island at Las Vegas, Nev. and Kingman, Ariz. and more recently, Cleveland, Ohio, where the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame is located.

Guam’s claim to consuming twice as much SPAM as Hawaii fueled his thoughts for visiting the one and only, SPAMtown USA.

Because, he could combine it with a visit to relatives and friends in South Dakota, the stop-over in Austin was a natural.

"We contacted Hormel Foods about doing a broadcast from here," Anderson said, "and they were very interested. Then, they announced they would sponsor the shows and the deal was done."

First District Congressman Gil Gutknecht was a Tuesday guest and, Anderson said, "very good, very animated on the air." Anderson and Guam co-host Arroyo put Guam’s governor Carl Guitierrez on the telephone line from his office in the capital city of Agana with Gutknecht for a trans-Pacific chat.

The second day’s broadcast done in the afternoon locally because of the time difference, featured a host of SPAM-ophiles. Kevin Jones, Hormel Foods attorney, discussed trademark infringements with the company’s most famous product.

Scott Ramlo crossed Interstate 90 from the flagship plant and told how the luncheon meat is made.

Richard Crane and Bibi Kaminsky discussed how important the Pacific markets are to Hormel Foods.

Cindy Samuel, SPAMtown USA festival director, discussed the popularity of the annual SPAM Jam celebration held in conjunction with Austin’s Independence Day and other festival activities.

And, Mayor Bonnie Rietz was a special guest, too.

"We are interested in possibly promoting a ‘Sister City’ idea between Austin, Minnesota and Agana, Guam," said Anderson. "It would be a natural because of what we have in common."

Also Wednesday, the SPAMettes entertained on-the-air.

Radio is what was used by Hormel Foods to propel SPAM into the forefront of consumers’ minds after the meat debuted in 1937.

An immediate hit, because of its shelf-stable abilities and its taste, SPAM became an American icon after it was consumed during World War II both by Allied troops and victims of the war world-wide.

George Burns and Gracie Allen advertised SPAM on their weekly radio shows over 50 years ago.

Now, SPAM has returned to the air waves for a repeat performance with Anderson’s assistance.

With his wife, Mahie watching, Anderson deftly pulled information from his guests, filling in with the trivia he has learned, he said, from Wyman’s new book.

Sitting in a corner of Hormel Foods colorful gift center headquarters, Anderson also used the knowledge of Paulette Cummings, Hormel Foods archivist and Gift Center manager.

He described his style of talk show hosting as facilitating information that "swims together."

This time, the world’s most famous, 500 billion cans and counting, helped the show go swimmingly.

But, it was not all pleasure for Anderson to focus two shows on a canned luncheon meat. It was an educational experience.

"Oh, it was great fun, but what did I learn?" he said. " I learned two things. One: the company is experimenting with a new product that will be 99 percent fat free and, two, I learned their continually experimenting with SPAM all the time."

("SPAM" is a registered trademark of Hormel Foods Corporation.)