The 405 Aired Oct 6th, 2026

It's 10/05/1970, and O.K.'s in 8th grade learning that Janice Joplin has died, listen along as he tells us stories from that time. 

What is The 405 Coffee Break with O.K. Solberg?

Greetings and Welcome to The 405 Coffee Break with O.K. Solberg

New episodes tend to air over the local KMMR radio station @ 5 minutes past 4PM each M-F. And have been doing so, nearly every week since Sept 2018.
New episodes appear here usually within a few hours after that KMMR air time and been striving to post new releases here by 4:30PM.

OK Solberg: 00:00

I want to again welcome you to The 04:05 Coffee Break. Get you cup of coffee, glass iced tea, bottle of water. Let's enjoy this beautiful autumn day.

OK Solberg: 00:09

Spring wheat $6.27 a bushel, 550lb steer calf. PAYS Billings, $4.20 a pound all the way up to $4.35. And a 100lb fat lamb in Billings $3.05 to $3.15 a pound. But guys, there's more, much more.

OK Solberg: 00:31

Okay. Okay. As you know, yesterday was Motor Monday. And because it was, well, I refrain from telling you this story. Yesterday, not only being Motor Monday, was also the 56th anniversary of the day I heard that Janice Joplin died.

OK Solberg: 00:51

Do you remember that story? It's 10/05/1970, And I'm in 8th grade in the junior high building across from the community church, you know, upstairs. Understand with me.

OK Solberg: 01:06

This is the 1970-1971 school year in Malta Public Schools. Were in Mr. Douglas's geography class. Mr. Douglas had a very interesting and relevant way of starting many days in that class.

OK Solberg: 01:22

He would allow students to share a current event. So this morning on 10/05/1970, and it was a Monday, I might add, he asked the class if anyone has a current event.

OK Solberg: 01:38

Now just understand this. I, Orvin Solberg, would not share a current event or anything else for that matter when it came to voluntary actions within the confines of school.

OK Solberg: 01:52

I don't care if my grandmother had just invented sliced bread and it was the new world craze. I would not, I repeat, would not volunteer an answer in school. It's just too embarrassing, too nerve racking, too, well, too darn hard.

OK Solberg: 02:10

What if your voice cracks? What if the class laughs? What if you get your merge wicks? No. I will not and would not volunteer an answer in class under any means.

OK Solberg: 02:23

So when Mr. Douglas asked the class if anyone has a current event to share, I looked down at my notebook and act like I'm writing something or turn the page in my geography book.

OK Solberg: 02:35

But not Karie Totman. No, sir. She was brave. She was bold. She was confident. Karie raised her hand and when called upon, she said, and I quote, Janice Joplin died last night. I can remember thinking, wow.

OK Solberg: 02:55

How bold and spot on is that? I remember thinking, isn't that great? She's brave enough to share openly in class And then she has this monumental world changing fact to share.

OK Solberg: 03:08

I remember thinking how can a girl in my class class have her pulse on America like a professional and have the confidence to share it openly in class.

OK Solberg: 03:20

And I remember she didn't just spout it out, the question was asked. She raised her hand and she gave this gem of an answer in response to what Mr. Douglas asked. I'm sitting there in awe.

OK Solberg: 03:36

And I remember the next thought that came to my mind. I wonder who Janice Joplin is. I had no idea. I really didn't. But when Karie shared it, I knew I'd strive to find out.

OK Solberg: 03:49

It's funny if you think about it. I have listened to many a Janice's song. She is bold, kinda like Karie. She is loud. She does have a distinct voice but forgive me because the only song of hers that I really like is Me and Bobby McGee.

OK Solberg: 04:08

I'm listening to it right now as I write this episode. I love that song. I can loop it, have it playing over and over and over again, and I can write you anything you want. Fiction, true story, a sermon, a 405 episode.

OK Solberg: 04:23

Janice might have died 56 years ago yesterday, but she still has an effect on me. Actually, was 56 years and 2 days ago because she died on October 4, but I heard it on the 5th.

OK Solberg: 04:37

So I have that going for me which is nice. And I might add, I'm a poor speller, always have been. But remember whose class was I in? Mr. Douglas. What was his class? Geography. And I can spell geography without looking it up.

OK Solberg: 04:56

It's so simple. Just take the 1st letter of each word. Now listen to this little ditty. Take the 1st letter and you can spell geography. George Edward's old grandmother rode a pig home yesterday.

OK Solberg: 05:11

Now I learned that in Malta elementary school, not from a teacher but from a student, so please never say Orvin didn't learn anything in school.

OK Solberg: 05:22

This episode was brought to you by, I know I'm weird, but I can act normal if the situation requires it.

OK Solberg: 05:30

Let me close with a fitting bible verse from Psalm 24 verse 1. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein. Psalm 24:1

OK Solberg: 05:47

Did you hear that? The earth. Talk about geography.

OK Solberg: 05:53

So until next time, as you go out there, remember now, don't be bitter.