The Memoir of Great Falls Broadcast Pioneer Dan Snyder is set to release on May 17th, 2024.
Dan Snyder was born in Louisville Kentucky. His father was a stern German and gifted engineer whose tragedies, opportunities and marriages led to many unexpected life detours. Great Falls’ Air Base first brought Dan to Montana, but World War II ended, and he was discharged to New Jersey. A job at the New York Times spurred a passion for journalism. His Great Falls girlfriend came to visit, they married and moved to Missoula for college where Dan’s passions turned to English and philosophy.
His wife saw an article in the Montana Kaimin student paper about a Radio Guild being formed. Insisting he studied too much and needed something else, she told him to go and “don’t come home unless you’re elected president”. He was hooked. Dan worked as an announcer, program director and salesman at radios stations across Montana before plunging into the challenges of building new stations in the 1950’s.
The record windstorm that knocked his new KRTV off the air 45 minutes after their first sign on only spurred him on. His stations succeeded without network programming, despite predictions from competitors. Dan’s aspirations for growth in other states were derailed by tragedies, opportunities and marriages, like his father. In a time between broadcast pursuits, Dan bought Great Falls’ Old Milwaukee train station, turning it into a retail/dining enterprise.
Dan loved Montana, the lifestyle and people. As a young southern boy, he never would have imagined his journey to a Great Falls Air Base, radio/tv stations, and a train station. Dan was destined to be STATIONED IN MONTANA.
Books are available to purchase at each location and online at StationedInMontana.com and Ingram Spark ISBN 979-8-89121-402-6
Dan Snyder Bio
- 1926 Born in Louisville Kentucky
- 1944 Graduated West Philly High School, PA
- 1950 B.A. in Philosophy and Psychology, University of Montana
- 1948-1950 Part-time announcer, KGVO Radio, Missoula, MT
- 1950-1955 Announcer, program director, sales and management, KBMN Radio Bozeman, MT
- 1955-1958 Built KBGF Radio, 25% owner, Great Falls, MT
- 1958-1968 Built KRTV, 51% owner, Great Falls, MT, sold in 1968
- 1962-1964 Bought KULR TV, 50% owner, Billings, MT sold 1964
- 1970-1974 V.P. Board of Director, 20% owner Village Bank, Great Falls MT
- 1970-1980 Import Depot, 100% owner, Great Falls, MT. Remodeled Old Milwaukee Depot into three level shopping complex, restaurant and supper club. Sold January 1980
- 1980-1991 General Manager KCAP AM & FM, Helena MT. VP of Radio Division, Western Broadcasting Company, Missoula
- 1991-1993 General Manager KGHL Radio AM & FM, Billings MT
- 1994-2001 Produced Trade Shows, The Daily Interlake, Kalispell
- 2001-2013 Account Executive, Anderson Broadcasting, Kalispell
Civic Activities
One of the founders of the Great Falls Advertising Federation. Served on the Great Falls School Board during the years of building 5 elementary schools and the 2nd high school, CM Russell.
Past President Posts- Great Falls Advertising Federation, Helena Advertising Federation, Great Falls Rotary Club, Helena Area Chamber of Commerce, Montana Broadcasters Assn. Past Master Great Falls Lodge 118 A.F. and A.M., Rotarian in Great Falls, Helena and Kalispell. Anchor/Host Children’s Miracle Network Telethon for Shodair Children’s Hospital. Elder First Presbyterian Church Kalispell.
Awards and Honors Jayvee Distinguished Service Award, Outstanding Young Man of Great Falls, Montana Jaycee Outstanding Young Man of Montana, Boss of the Year. E5P
