AKA: “Major” Daniel George Peckenpaugh, Merganthaler, Route 66,Miller
Daniel George Miller was born on his Mother’s Birthday, September 7, 1932 in Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio. Graduated from Western Hills High School, attended Cincinnati College of Pharmacy one year and then joined the U.S. Army for a two year stint during the Korean conflict. The Army trained him as an Engineer but he was assigned to the hospital staff as a medic after two bouts of pneumonia. The next six years on the inactive reserve roll. Discharged from active duty in 1954, Miller headed for California and went to work for the US Post Office in San Gabriel. He worked full time for a year and then part time for 3 years while attending The Don Martin School of Radio Arts and Sciences in Hollywood California.
He met Donna Mandella in the summer of 1955. Their first date was Disneyland and after a short courtship, they married at the Chapel of Roses in Pasadena on December 10, 1955. After graduation he was offered a job in Billings Montana at KOOK Radio and started as the night announcer for $325.00 a month. In 1961 the station changed formats when a new manger arrived from California with a top 40 format and Miller was moved to the morning shift where he spent the next 28 years. He joined the KOOK Sales staff in 1970 but continued his morning shift and in 1977 was promoted to General Manager. The “Major” was terminated by a new owner in 1986 and since that time has been self employed by several radio stations. He joined the K-bear Staff part time when the “Oldies” format was put on in April 1993.
Their first son Daniel was born in 1958, followed by a second son Darrin in 1962 and a daughter Dawn Holly in 1971.
The “Major” was inducted into the Montana Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2004.
Major Dan Miller
PASSION & EXPERIENCE
Mojo 92.5's Major Dan Miller has been on the radio for 57 years. Miller began his radio career in 1958 after graduating from the Don Martin School of Radio Arts and Sciences in California. He even spent some time KOOK Radio and was inducted into the Montana Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2004.