Phil Grossardt, Great Bend radio personality, presents “American Top 40: The Casey Kasem Years” at the Barton County Historical Society at 7 p.m. on Oct. 26.

The program is being presented in the Ray Schulz Research Library. It’s free for members and those under 16, and $5 for all others. Memberships are available at the door or during regular business hours.

For almost 40 years, the syndicated “American Top 40” radio show with host Casey Kasem was the most successful and most-listened-to music countdown show in history.

As a former radio personality and broadcast professional, Grossardt will document how AT40 got started and why it became such an iconic, entertaining and long-lasting radio show.

Grossardt began his broadcasting career at Barton County Community Junior College in 1973. He’s worked at radio and television stations in Great Bend, Manhattan, Salina and recently retired from Eagle Radio where he was station manager of KBGL-FM and DJ on KHOK-FM for 24 years.

In 1980, Grossardt visited the American Top 40 Studios in North Hollywood and has direct insight into the radio show’s phenomenon.

He was inducted into the Kansas Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2018.

The Barton County Historical Society is located at 85 S. U.S. 281, just south of the river bridge in Great Bend. Hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 1-5 p.m.