Bogor, Indonesia 2008: From the beginning of his days until now, Trent Ling has always known how to work the phones. Here, he somehow gets a line back to his dad in the States. Back in 1979, as a teenager, Trent got through to Larry King on several occasions.
As a young teenager, Trent Ling began taking an interest in mass media and the world around him. From his small hometown of Pasco, Washington, the world seemed at his fingertips. As a night owl, he would listen to overnight radio shows broadcast from stations in Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento.
Before his 25-year run at CNN, Larry King’s radio show was the coast-to-coast standard in talk. And, in 1979, at the tender and relatively clueless age of 14, Trent made a series of phone calls to Larry. This post features the first of those calls.
Trent recalls: “Honestly, at the time, I was afraid of Larry and very nervous to call him. Looking back, I am surprised that I went through with it, as most talk-radio callers ended up as carnage at the time.”
“Hearing the call now, I am surprised how very nice and gracious Larry was to me,” Trent shares. “Clearly I was a kid not knowing what to say, and yet, he bore with me and let me say the goodbye–a real coup for a caller.”
Trent insists that he and Larry were not on the same page in their conversation, but in retrospect, such was inevitable. “I knew what I wanted to express, but these were incoherent times for me, and I couldn’t sort it all out in my allotted two minutes.”
In any case, enjoy this stroll down memory lane stretching back 33 years!
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Radio: Trent, Age 14, Calls Larry King in 1979 (September 1, 1979; 1:56)
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I love this! Thank you for sharing. I listened to the recording several times. I could hear a young Trent, but the sound of your voice and expressions reminded me of Za as well. Very cool idea. I’m glad you recorded it. Love you.
I remember those late night calls. I remember you having to stay on the line for what seemed forever until your call would be taken. And then we’d play backgammon. Fun times.
Ha ha, you sound like a nerdy version of you! So cute and sweet 🙂 Who could have known that little boy would go on to share so much more than baseball. Thanks for sharing T, you were up to way more substantial things at 14 than the majority. Fun Fact: I was born in 1979.
How cool is that! I’m actually humbled and motivated by this. After having a wonderful heart moving conversation with my teenage daughter about God – I am humbled that it hasn’t happened more often. To be at that age and need guidance just in your thinking (incoherent times) and meanwhile your father has the greatest truth to be ever told let alone her be a beautiful time to receive it! How wonderful! Thank you Father! Time to love, love, love!
Precious! Thanks for sharing, Om Trent! You and mass media have come a looooooong way since then! Love you.
Ha! I can make out that voice. That is definitely Trent Ling. Younger and less refined, for sure, but unmistakeable never the less;)
Wow, that’s the first time that I’ve heard you but couldn’t identify you. Your voice is unrecognizable. I also didn’t realize how avid of a sports fan you were at such a young age. After hearing this today, I look forward to the treasure chest of what’s ahead for this website. You’re going back 33 years in the first week of the launch…
Wow, that’s so cool that you had a conversation with Larry King when you were only 14-year-old! And it’s great that you’ve kept a recording of it, considering it’s been over 30 years! Thanks for sharing it with us 🙂 Love it.