Ketelsen Campers' History
Our
Founder, Johnny Ketelsen lead a diverse and exciting life! From a
farming background in Iowa, Johnny emerged to become a popular Country
& Western musician in the Midwest. As a member of the famous Tom
Owens' Cowboys, Johnny traveled extensively, entertaining with the
major Country & Western stars of the 50's and 60's. A guitar
player and singer, Johnny performed in all the major ballrooms
throughout the Midwest. The band appeared regularly at the famous Surf
Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa.
The band evolved from the Tom
Owens' Cowboys to the Johnny Ketelsen Band in 1955. Heard daily for
over 20 years on WMT radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the band holds the
National Broadcasting record of 6,500 live radio shows (the most of any
musical group in history).
Johnny appeared regularly on his own TV shows on WMT-TV and KCRG-TV for many years.
In 1962, Johnny embarked on a new "career" in selling campers.
Still performing nightly with the band, Johnny enlisted the entire
Family to help promote the fledgling business. As a pioneer in the
emerging industry, Johnny helped forge the frame work of what today is
know as the Recreational Vehicle Business.
On August 3, 2000, Johnny was inducted into the prestigious RV Hall
of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana. The following is the text of Johnny's
introduction at the Hall of Fame ceremony:
Our next inductee is
John R. "Johnny" Ketelsen of Ketelsen RV, an RV retailer from Marion,
Iowa and Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Johnny's orientation to RVing began in
1938 when, as a teenager, he traveled throughout the western states in
a home-made RV. A 38-year RV dealer, he is a founding member and past
Secretary of the national RV Dealers Association and is a 28-year
member and officer. He is the founder and Past Chairman of the Iowa RV
Dealers Association. He is recognized as a prime example of impeccable
business values and ethics and as a mentor for RV retailers
nation-wide. He and his western swing band hold a national record of
over 6,500 appearances on live radio.
Please welcome Hall of Fame member Johnny Ketelsen.
Our entire family at Ketelsen Campers is proud to walk in the footsteps of our founder, father and friend - Johnny Ketelsen.
