The Sonny Melendrez Show Sonny Melendrez

Listen as Sonny reaches into his radio archives to share one of his most treasured interviews with an American music icon: Bobby Vee. Their visit took place on Sonny's show at KMPC Radio in Los Angeles in 1974.
Bobby shares his journey of being catapulted into the world of popular music and then looking back, a decade later, as he set out to reinvent himself.
He was born Robert Velline in Fargo, ND, and, although he started playing music when he was just a young teenager, it was country music, not rock. However, he, his brother and some friends eventually formed a rock band, "The Shadows", and began to attract some attention in the Fargo area. His big "break" came when rock legends Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper and Buddy Holly died in a plane crash in 1959 en route to a concert in Minnesota. The concert's promoters decided to put on the show anyway, and asked for help from local talent. Bobby, who knew the words to all of the songs that were to be played, found himself on stage and, at 15 years old, began his career as a rock star.
He and his group had a local hit with "Susie Baby", which came to the attention of executives at Liberty Records in Hollywood, and he and The Shadows were signed to the label. The next few records they cut went basically nowhere, however, and Liberty was all set to cancel their contract when a DJ in Pittsburgh played the "B" side to one of their records, a remake of an old ballad by The Clovers called "Devil or Angel". It became a hit in Pittsburgh and then spread throughout the Northeast, eventually hitting #6 on the national pop charts.
Liberty then signed Vee to a five-year contract. He had a string of hits for the label, such as "Take Good Care of My Baby", "Rubber Ball", "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes" and "Come Back When You Grow Up, Girl".
The rest, as they say is history.
*Bobby died on October 24, 2026 from complications of Alzheimer's disease, but not before leaving a legacy unforgettable music, lasting friendships and wonderful memories as a husband, father and grandfather. May he rest in peace.

In the early 1980’s my radio home was KMPC Radio in Los Angeles and it was my honor to lend my talents to the efforts of the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services. It was at one of the annual Christmas parties for foster children that I had the pleasure of interviewing some of the stars who had come out for the event.
In this episode, you'll hear my conversation with these very special celebrities, beginning with a very young, Melissa Gilbert.
Next up, one of the most familiar voices in the history of television, Ed McMahon
It’s been said that being affectionately insulted by my next guest can be considered a badge of honor. I agree! Enjoy my conversation with Mr. Warmth, himself…Don Rickles
My final guest conversation from 1980 is with the one and only, Cher!
Merry Christmas!

For 18 Thanksgiving seasons, it has been my honor to serve as an MC for a compassionate and joyful event, sponsored by the generosity Lana Duke and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in San Antonio. Each year, up to 100 children from the Roy Maas Youth Alternatives, a facility that provides comprehensive residential care and counseling services for children who have suffered from physical or emotional trauma, are treated to an unforgettable Thanksgiving meal. The theme for this year’s event was, “Onward and upward!” 
You see, at Roy Maas Youth Alternatives, children are taught to dream again! 
One of those dreamers is a young man who entered Roy Maas at a young age, after being separated from his family. He shared his remarkable and inspirational story with the children at this year’s event and I’ve asked that he share it with you.

Daniel Gomez is an award-winning motivational keynote speaker, business coach, corporate trainer, and executive coach.
He has over 20 years of experience in leadership development. He speaks at events around the world. 
Gomez is also the author of the international best-selling book You Were Born to Fly. The book is designed to inspire people to be the leaders of their own destiny. 
Gomez is a John Maxwell Certified Speaker. He has experience in: Leadership development, Sales training, Coaching, Team building.
In this episode, you'll learn about the thinking necessary to have "The Makings of a Millionaire Mind," as found in Daniel's latest book by the same title.
For show notes and links, visit: https://SonnyRadio.com/daniel-gomez

To say that Stephanie and Susannah Scheller are extrodinary entrepreneurs is an understatement!
Stephanie is CEO and founder of Grow Disrupt, a company that produces next-level personal growth events that support small business growth. 
One of those events is the annual Grow Retreat, featuring world-class presenters.
Susannah is the technology director on the team working closely with Stephanie to execute marketing strategies and engagement across all platforms.
For the annual retreat, Stephanie and Susannah have combined their musical talents to write, perform and produce a brilliant entrepreneural anthem which makes it's radio premiere on this fast-paced episode!
GrowDisrupt.com
Show notes: https://sonnyradio.com/fly

 

Filmmaker - director, Andrew Gonzales shares his inspiring story with Sonny, telling what it took to become an award-winning filmmaking professional.
Andrew also talks about his exciting new project, "American Sons," slated to air on PBS in 2024.
About Producer / Director – Andrew Gonzales
Andrew Gonzales is a documentary filmmaker, director and commercial cinematographer. Andrew’s lens is usually focused on stories of underdogs on their journey to fight for their survival. This theme is strong in his recent projects: Standing Rock: A New Nation, a vignette about The Dakota Access Pipeline Protests, HERE: The Garrett Scott Story, which follows MMA Fighter Garrett Scott in his climb to compete in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu regardless of the handicap and Right In Front of Us, which highlights the current US-Mexico Border Crisis and its impact on the communities affected by it. Commercially, Andrew produces content for agencies working primarily with corporate responsibility, promotion of green technology, progressive political movements and social change organizations.
In 2019 he traveled the country producing content for Julian Cástro’s Democratic Presidential Campaign. In 2018, he took home several honors from film festivals including Brooklyn’s Latino Short Film Festival, The Hollywood International Moving Pictures Film Festival, The Festigious International Film Festival, The Top Shorts Online Film Festival, and The IndieFest Film Awards. In 2015, he and producer Laura Varela took top prize in the City on The Rise Film Competition at The San Antonio Film Festival.