Knoxville Radio History 101

2012-01-30T06:44:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday!

So what else was happening in Ktown in early '73? Your Dave Young was working afternoons at WNOX, Allen Keller and Bud Veazy were Ktown TV personalities, Jim Clark joined WETE radio, Larry Robinson was offered a basketball scholarship at UT, and 101 went to work for the first time...at the Ivanhoe House of Beef as a busboy!

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"Is there anyway you could tell me who the DJ's were on 93.1 around 1992 or 1993 before it became Star 93.1? The station was still playing Pop but also played quite a bit of rap and hip/hop at that time. I just can't remember the DJ's, especially the Morning DJ's before Toddzilla." (Steve Hancock)

2012-01-29T08:58:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday wishes to "Jack Diamond"...does the name ring a bell?

Jack and his side kick "Guerrilla" invaded Ktown's 7-midnight time slot in early '73 at WKGN 1340. Jack was destined for greener pastures and moved to WAKY in Louisville Kentucky....and he's still in Louisville and still on the air.

In 1980 Jack joined WAMZ (country) and has been there ever since, he's the Program Director and afternoon personality.

Here's the WKGN line up at that time~

6-9 Bob Baron

9-12 Frank Erwin

12-3 Chris Hampton

3-7 Wayne Bernard

7-12 Jack Diamond

12-6 Jerry Steel

Weekends- Sonny Knight, Ken Burger, and Jack Gregory

News- Walker Johnson, Jim Goodman, Joe Anderson, and Mary Glen Martin

2012-01-27T06:35:00.000-05:00

In the fall of 1976 15Q featured Suitcase Simpson, Shotgun Kelly, The Brothers, Charlie Fox...and the zany morning duo of Chuck Baron and Eddie Beacon~

2012-01-23T09:53:00.001-05:00

Happy Chinese New Year...it's the year of the dragon!

101 always enjoys receiving photographs and memories...this is a classic of Eddie Beacon "The Swingin' Deacon"!

2012-01-20T11:05:00.002-05:00

This is a classic photo of Dolly and former Ktown DJ Tony Eubanks! When I joined WIVK in '76 as a weekend jock Tony was working the 7p-midnight slot. Tony now resides in Jacksonville, Florida!

2012-01-18T00:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Hump! Here's a 101 Reload~

Today 101 takes a look back...30 years to the summer of '80!

The #1 country song as June arrived was "He Stopped Loving Her Today" by George Jones.

Celeste was the midday DJ at WIVK, soon to be replaced by Bob Thomas (of course Bob returns on 8-2 to 100.3's new morning show).

Phil Williams was working 10a-2 on WNOX 990. Other DJs there were Eddie Rogers, Randy Miller, Scott Majors, Tom Michaels, and James Maurice.

WKGN was known as "Love 13" and featured Jeff Winters, POA with a talk show from 9a-noon, Arch Bishop, and Chuck Edwards.

Bob Kagan left WRJZ for WBCY Charlotte and was replaced by JJ Scott as Operation Manager and Fred Story as Program Director.

A new country night club opened that summer in West Knoxville. It was called Sam Houston's and Jamey Kerr and I were the DJs!

In Oak Ridge WOKI's line up was Michael Henry Martin from 6-10a, Gary Adkins 10-noon, Joe Blackmon noon-3p, Mike Beverly 3-7p, Brother John 7-12, and The Brothers at midnight.

The April/May ARB ratings were-

WEZK 19.9

WIVK-FM 19.7

WRJZ 10.5

WIVK 9.9

WOKI 8.3

WNOX 7.1

WIMZ 6.1

Mike Beach was morning DJ at WIMZ but left for Kansas City...Kerry Lambert, Kim Mayo, Dave Elrod, and Carson Cooper could also be heard on Rock 104!

And in September '80 Bob Kesling left WIVK radio to become Sports Director at WBIR-TV Channel 10...

2012-01-16T08:05:00.000-05:00

Did you use to dial twist back in the day? I enjoyed finding radio stations in Nashville, Atlanta, Cleveland, Louisville, even Chicago, etc...

The 101 Audio Vault steps out of the box today, here's an aircheck I recorded of Steve King on WLS Chicago back in the mid 70's~

2012-01-14T06:22:00.000-05:00

The 101 Audio Vault features The Aardvark on WNOX...plus the voices of Scott Sams and Eddy Roy~

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"Hey George...As to what happened to Ann Alexander the last time I saw her was in the early 80s. She had moved back home to Wilmington, NC and was the anchor lady on one of the local channels there. By then, Ann changed her moniker back to Stella Stevens...her maiden name. Ann/Stella was a wonderful person and I had some great times with her at 62/WETE in the mid 70s!" (Bill Beason)

2012-01-11T06:16:00.000-05:00

Happy Hump Day...time to read the 101 InBox~

"So where is Ann Alexander these days? She and J. Worthington Smith are two of the K-Town jocks that just seem to disappear." (500 Mega Watt)

"Hi George...I was wondering if you (or your readers) know what might have become of the "Stories of Christmas" wraparounds/vignettes that used to air in syndication around the country in the 70's and 80's. They were about a minute each and the narrator told of various Christmas traditions around the world. Our local station, WEZK in Knoxville, TN, used to air them and I've often wondered about them. Is it possible to get hold of any copies? Thanks!" (Bill Edwards)

"Looking for a way to contact Jack Bean." (George Wilkinson)

2012-01-09T06:16:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday...101 wants to hear from you, send photographs and memories to KtownRadio@gmail.com!

2012-01-05T08:57:00.000-05:00

One month before "The New 62 WRJZ" debuted, Walker Johnson was still working afternoons at the predecessor WETE.

The 101 Audio Vault features Walker along with Mark McKinney and Ann Alexander~

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Back in the day a local teacher named Worley McKinney aka Worley Max climbed the WIVK survey charts with several songs that he wrote and performed. 101 gives a shout out to the old ball coach!!!

2012-01-03T08:01:00.000-05:00

101 travels to July 1985...

The jock line up at WOKI-FM 100 included The Animal in the morning, Jeff Jarnigan middays, Charlie Wheeler afternoons, and Shotgun Stevens at night!

The top rated stations in Ktown were...WIVK-FM #1, followed by WIMZ, WEZK, WOKI, and WMYU.

...and the first baseman for the Knoxville minor league team was~ Cecil Fielder!

2012-01-02T08:16:00.000-05:00

Happy 2012!

The 70's featured many "rock wars"...WNOX and WKGN were in the midst of an epic battle for listeners, both sounded great. WRJZ joined the party in late '76...and earlier that year W-149 had morphed into the major market sounding 15Q, great memories!

PS- If you noticed, these were all AM stations as FM was still only slowly becoming king of the dial...WOKI had changed everything by debuting in '74 on 100.3 FM with a booming and clear sound out of Oak Ridge.

Many great DJs planted their flags in Ktown in the 70's...Wayne Bernard aka Charlie Chase, Kid Curry on 15Q then for decades in Miami, and a guy who helped make disco famous~ Dick Winstead! A few years before the disco revolution Dick was working drive time at WNOX~

2011-12-31T06:43:00.001-05:00

I was hired at WIVK to be a weekend DJ back in '76, same time I started UT as an 18 year old freshman...Bobby Denton was running the on air operations at that time, and he was Music Director too.

We had two turntables in our control room...actually had one control room, a production room, and the news room. A few years later the boarded up "old" control room was rebuilt into a nice AM facility.

Our formatting was simple...Bobby picked the records but the DJs on the air picked what to play...we had 5 categories, pick hits and A, B, C, and D groupings...and a back wall filled with hundreds of albums. Our conscience was our listeners who called the request line...the old "you say it and we play it" format...and it worked. I recall WIVK owned about 1/3 of the Ktown audience at that time.

Back then the station was located on Bearden Hill...and the "addition" was still a few years away. The lower level had space for a couple of offices, including Bobby's which always had stacks of records piled on it.

...and of course the sweet smell of stogies was always in the air, to this day when I smell a cigar I'm instantly returned to WIVK.

It was a good time...good people that were part of a special company!

So goodbye 2011...101 is looking forward to a grand new year! Keep the photographs and memories coming our way!!!

2011-12-30T06:56:00.003-05:00

WKGN, circa '68~

2011-12-29T05:27:00.001-05:00

"I remember WATO and WETQ...It was still owned by Rau Radio at the time. I got my first job in radio there in 1982 after attending Russ Skinner's Professional Academy of Broadcasting and following my stint as an Antique Photos photographer at the World's Fair. I was interviewed and hired by PD Jeff Mosier, aka J.J. Jeffries. I worked the morning drive shift, which was my first experience in going to work before the sun came up -- quite a departure from my previous life as a professional student majoring in partying! The news director at the time was (Margaret?) Fifield and the station manager was Ken Mynatt, who I think I heard was working in the sheriff's department in Kingston,TN...correct me if I'm wrong. WATO is where I became an avid Braves fan after working the boards for both Braves and UT football games. I still have dreams about being on the air in that old building on the dead end Eastburn Lane in Oak Ridge -- it was dilapidated even then! I still drive by it every now and then, which probably fuels the dreams, and it is almost in shambles. The last time I was there, the old tower was lying in tall grass in the back. A few months after being hired, WATO changed its format to Big Band/Oldies or, as it was referred to by J.J., "music by dead people." Needless to say, he wasn't very happy about the change and soon left for greener pastures -- unfortunately I lost touch with him after he left. I eventually became program director at WATO and also worked infrequently on the country side (WETQ-FM). Other people I worked with before leaving included Greg Patterson, Tommy Rowe, Melanie and David Shirk, who was hired as our news director. I left WATO in 1983 to take a job as a news anchor at U102, which was still in Sevierville at the time, working for and with Roger Hawkins (News Director), David Henley, Mike Clark and Darla Medway. I remember working in the news department the day the space shuttle Challenger blew up...very sad. I also got to meet Dolly Parton and dub the original music to cassettes used by Dollywood as the park’s background music when it opened in 1986 -- it was all Dolly Parton songs as I recall. Dolly's manager had called me (I had become production manager position by then) and asked if I could work with Dolly to dub and select the songs to be used. She was going to come by the station to do it, but he told me not to tell anyone for fear of a crowd showing up. I kept the secret, sort of...about 30 minutes before she was to arrive, I decided to at least tell PD Bill Miller and Gary Downs (station manager) about it. Somehow word spread, and a crowd showed up anyway! I remember how friendly and natural Dolly was. She put me totally at ease as we worked together in the old production room in Sevierville. I remember she put her hand on my arm as we talked -- I didn't wash that arm for weeks. U102 DJ's at the time included Dave Dunaway, Tom Van Hart, Larry Trotter, Phil Jarnigan, and Mark Herzog. Later, CP and Walker and Jeff Jarnigan also joined the staff just before the station moved to Knoxville at 8419 Kingston Pike in an old bank building in front of the BooksAMillion at Walker Springs Rd. I ended up realizing I couldn't make enough money in radio to attract a wife, given that my rugged, good looks weren't doing the trick, so I went back to school and became a software developer. Now I have a wife and 2 daughters who, thankfully, look like their mother. Sorry to be long- winded, but waxing nostalgic is fun! Love the blog -- keep up the good work." (Bill Edwards)

2011-12-28T07:30:00.001-05:00

101 travels to April 1984...

The NCAA basketball announcers on CBS were Gary Bender and Billy Packer...college All Americans included Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, and Wayman Tisdale!

The Atlanta Braves infield included Bob Watson 1B, Glenn Hubbard 2B, Rafael Ramirez SS, and Bob Horner played 3B.

On the 102.1 FM dial position (U-102) the line up was 6-10 Mark Herzog, 10-3 Tom Van Hart, 3-7 Larry Trotter, 7-12 Jeff Freeman, and 12-6 Bill Bailey.

Democrats running for President included Walter Mondale and Gary Hart.

Sam Brown returned to Ktown TV and WATE from KDKA in Pittsburgh.

...and Steve Harrison joined WIMZ!

2011-12-25T10:49:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas from 101!

"I recently read the Dec. 12 column regarding the death of Bill Burkett. I remember him well because my father, Jerry Adams, General Manager of U102, spoke so highly of him. I am writing to add a small fact about the opening of U102 and the song "Amazing Grace" being the first song played. Dad always opened a new station with "Amazing Grace" at every radio station he managed. Dad passed away 24 years ago. Dad loved radio. He was bitten by the radio bug when he began as a young DJ in Mississippi. His career continued with Mr. Mooney beginning in Knoxville where was over programming, then on to manage WMAK in Nashville and later returning to Knoxville/Sevierville to manage U102. Due to ill health he tried to retire from broadcasting but later decided to return as an owner of a radio station in Jackson, TN. Dad passed away a few years later. Mr. Mooney said "If there is radio in heaven, Jerry is showing God how to run it!" Dad always said "once it got in your blood you could not get away from it". My mother and sisters visited with Mr. Mooney this summer in Knoxville as my nephew was graduating from UT. I had not seen Mr. Mooney since I was a young girl riding on his boat to the Vols game. My Mom always kept in touch with him and knew he had returned to the states from Anguilla. It was such a delight to visit with him. He hadn't changed a bit...that same great smile and wonderful "radio" voice. I believe Dad was right...radio does get in your blood. Thank you for the wonderful site. It was a pleasure to read and reflect on good memories. Best regards!" (Cynthia Adams Wardell)

2011-12-19T08:54:00.000-05:00

Happy Christmas Week...have you been 101 naughty or nice?

101 would love to hear from you...everyone has a great radio story or two. 101 particulalry would like to receive photographs and memories and air checks from 1990 and later...

Ktown has been blessed with some great high energy night time DJs...Tom Kent (Kent Newton), Coyote Calhoun (Jack Diamond), Brother John St John, Dr Al Adams, Mike Beverly, Shotgun Stevens, Kid Curry, Mick Rizzo and the list goes on and on!

On Saturday the 101 Audio Vault featured Dick Winstead, he mentioned that "next up at 7" would be The Aarvark...so here's the 'Vark~

2011-12-17T10:32:00.000-05:00

Things were a little different back in the fall of '76...WOKI was located at 100.3 on the FM dial and WNOX was still a 10000 watts powerhouse at 990 AM.

The WOKI line up included Johnny Pirkle 6-10, Russ Skinner 10-3, Bad Leroy Brown 3-7, Mike Beverly 7-12, and JL Myers from 12-6.

Over at "Double Super" WNOX- Eddy Roy was PD and 6-10, Scott Sams 10-3, Dick Winstead 3-7, The Aardvark 7-12, and Russ Brown 12-6.

The 101 Audio Vault features Dick Winstead...

2011-12-13T04:19:00.000-05:00

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got overnight?

Way back Ernie the Bartender hosted the all night talk/music show on WETE 620...what a precursor to the current genre of all night talkers!

Back in the day Larry King was on top as the late night radio guru, these days I've enjoyed the syndicated Red Eye Radio program hosted by Doug McIntyre. Cumulus is imploding that show and merging it with another so starting in 2012 Doug moves to mornings at KABC radio in Los Angeles. The good news...now most radio is available world wide to be enjoyed!

2011-12-12T14:17:00.001-05:00

As we bid farewell to Bill Burkett, we hear from Bill in his own words as he was a 101 reader and contributor, rest in peace Bill~

"Your plea today jogged my memory. It hit me that tomorrow, April 15th is the 27th anniversary of the debut of U-102/WMYU when Dr. Dave Dunaway and Colvin Idol kicked off the new format that morning at 6 o'clock. The first song played was "Amazing Grace" by Judy Collins. Believe it or not, at the time, that song tested well enough to be on our playlist. Some others who were there at the beginning, or shortly thereafter, included Mick St. John, Steve Harrison, Rick Hudson, Tom Van Hart, Mike Clark, Phil Williams, Larry Trotter, Phil Jarnigan, Sam Truan, Gene Vestle and more. Sorry if I left anyone out this afternoon. It's difficult to remember so much on the spur of the moment. Enjoy the blog. Hope you get the written support you need to keep it going."

"Hey George...Be happy you're in Florida today. I'm sure you've heard about all the snow here. Anyway, I wanted to let you know that Chuck Baron and Dr. Grady Brock are two different people, although there was some similarity in their gravely voices. Both worked nights for Jay Thomas at Big WAYS in Charlotte back in the 70s while I was at sister station WAPE. I knew both, but I don't know whatever happy to Brock. Suitcase just up-dated me on Baron last month. Hope you're having a happy New Year."

"I was introduced to Mooney Broadcasting in 1967 at WBSR in Pensacola. Later spent time with George in Knoxville and Nashville between '81 and '84. He was one of a kind. Also made two trips with him as part of the Vol Navy. He will be missed!"

2011-12-09T08:13:00.000-05:00

BREAKING NEWS...from Chip Kain~

I'm sure you remember Bill Burkett from your radio days, but I was just informed this morning that he passed away last night, following a battle with cancer.

Though I'm no longer in radio, I worked for Bill twice and have nothing negative to say about him at all. He was a fantastic man, a great boss, and sounded great on the air. Bottom line: he was an old school radio broadcaster.

I hadn't spoken to him in the last year, and I regret that lack of communication now, as he was someone who's company I always enjoyed. We used to leave the station in the evenings and everyone would meet up for drinks- I know that I'll have the next one in honor of him.

I just thought you would like to know to let the readers of your blog know.

All the best to you, George. Merry Christmas.

2011-12-09T07:25:00.001-05:00

1976 was a transitional year at WKGN 1340. The year began as usual, Top 40 music and jocks Dr Al, Frank Erwin, Mike Beach, and Scott Sams were on the air.

Fast forward to October and the format had changed to AOR and the DJs were on the air for 6 hour shifts...Allen Douglas, Dave Elrod, Robin Beck, and Keith Lambert.

The 101 Audio Vault features Keith (Kerry) Lambert and Robin (Mike) Beck~

2011-12-07T00:00:00.018-05:00

Back in '81 the 94.3 FM dial position was occupied by WETQ, the sister station of Oak Ridge's 1290 WATO...did you work in that building in OR?

The FM played Country and the AM was Top 40!

When the year began the Q94 line up featured 6-10 Jeff Winters, 10-3 Mike Stewart, 3-7 Rick Hudson, 7-12 Daniel Collett, and 12-6 Dave Brownell.

Shortly after the new year, Russ Brown joined as News Director...on the AM Dennis Willard was PD.

At that time the station was owned by Rau Radio....they also owned stations in Hager and Annapolis Maryland, Clarksburg Virgina, Burlington North Carolina, and Dover Delaware.

'81 was an interesting year at Q94...even Eddie Beacon and The Joe Show ended up working there!

2011-12-05T00:00:00.002-05:00

Happy Monday...today we feature a 101 Reload~

"When I was at WIMZ in 1981-1982 we had a sister station playing Al Ham's Music Of Your Life that was automated with the latest and greatest equipment...a big black monster that took up an entire room. Occasionally one of, or all three of, the 50+ cart carousels would lose programming and switch between two carts as if unable to decide which to play. This resulted in a terrible clacking noise that disrupted the entire radio station. We would walk by, not miss a step...just grab it and spin it...problem solved. Sort of a pre-computer "control/alt/delete" move. We had several socially unacceptable phrases to describe what the unit was doing when this occurred. In the year 4329 AD I'm sure some archaeologist will dig that thing up, put it in a museum and wonder what it's purpose was." (Jerry Howell)

2011-12-03T07:48:00.002-05:00

"Wow…I remember all you noted this morning. Wasn’t the Ivanhoe around where the Copper Cellar is now? I listened to WKGN a lot when I was in college because I liked oldies. Even when I was working at WIVK but don’t tell Bobby Denton. Of course you left off newsman Joe Anderson on WKGN in the morning with Dr Al. I remember one morning Mike Hammond and I were working in the newsroom at WIVK. It was a little slow and frankly we were a little bored. Mike put me up to making a prank call into Joe. I called and put on a thick east Tennessee accent. Joe…Have you heard about that FAR (Fire)...I proceeded to tell him about some big fire that was over there “off the interstate.” Man the flames are leaping in the air. Cars are stopping…Hell Joe…it may have burned down half of Knoxville! I’m sure Joe got all in a tissie and Mike and I laughed all morning! Those were the good days!" (Paul Lyle)

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Remember Shotgun Stevens from WOKI? He is back on the radio in Orlando hosting a talk show from 9a-noon on WEUS Big 810. He has used the on air name "Doc Holliday" for many years in Otown...

2011-12-01T06:08:00.000-05:00

In the spring of 1975 Dr Al Adams returned to WKGN 1340 after DJing outside of Ktown for 6 years...Dr Al and his side kicks, including Willard the Duck, took over morning drive from Your Dave Young.

Dave switched to afternoons but soon exited and was replaced by Mike Beach...Frank Erwin worked middays, Rick Davis 7p-12, and Bob Thomas was the all night DJ.

Also in Ktown at that time Bernard King and Ernie Grunfeld were named to the All SEC basketball team.

In the restaurant biz, Frank Kotsianas completed a deal to sell the Ivanhoe House of Beef which was located in West Knoxville on Kingston Pike.

...and Frank Blair said goodbye to the Today Show after 23 years, he was the last remaining original on air personality.

2011-11-28T00:00:00.001-05:00

In the early 70's AM radio was still king, in fact, many radios did not even have FM. To promote their 24 hour FM, WIVK-AM signed off in a special way each day...

2011-11-25T05:57:00.000-05:00

Happy Black Friday...and remember, listening to the radio is still free!

101 has been announcing the "2012 Wall of Fame" selections as chosen by the 101 readers. Today we unveil the final selection, ps...the 5 were announced in random order. Today~

YOUR DAVE YOUNG

Dave goes back to the middle of the WNOX versus WKGN am radio ratings wars of the 70's. Dave was a fixture on The Big 99 for years working afternoons and then jumped to The Famous 1340 where he hosted "The Dave Young Morning Show" with side kick Joe Anderson. Dave eventually moved to WIVK succeeding Bobby Denton as afternoon DJ, and the rest is history...

2011-11-24T06:38:00.000-05:00

Happy Blessed Thanksgiving from 101 to You!!!

On this special holiday we continue to unveil the "2012 Wall of Fame" selections...Today~

EDDIE BEACON

Eddie has been heard in Ktown radio since the 60's and has enjoyed just about every dial position...even as one of the original DJs at the infamous W-149. These days Eddie hosts a show on WNOX-FM 100.3!!!

Tomorrow we will announce the final person selected to our 12WOF...congrats to this year's selections so far~ Ed Brantley, Doc Johnston, CP and Walker, Eddie Beacon and ? Check back on FridaY!

2011-11-23T07:28:00.000-05:00

Happy Hump Day...101 is broadcasting (typing) from Key West Florida this week!!!

In our 3rd installment of opening the curtain on the "2012 Wall of Fame" selections, today...

CP and WALKER

When you think Ktown radio, you think CP and Walker! This duo came alive thanks to WETE switching over to WRJZ back in '76 and PD bob Kaghan deciding not to throw the baby out with the bath water, ie- Curtis and been the WETE morning DJ and Walker worked afternoon drive...the rest is history, kudos to this dynamic duo!

2011-11-22T06:30:00.000-05:00

WNOX celebrated it's 90th birthday on Monday...the 1st station in Tennessee and the 8th in the USA!!!

All this week 101 is announcing the "2012 Wall of Fame" class. On Monday Ed Brantley was named, today...

DOC JOHNSTON

Doc hosted the "Date with Doc" program for a quarter of a century on WBIR 1240 am retiring in 1975! Doc had a piano on his set and played it daily! Doc was of the era when DJs had big and individual personalities!

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Did you know that Ed Brantley, as a teenager, actually worked on the air at WNOX for a short time before beginning his many decades at WIVK~ Ed's back at WNOX, he's come full circle!

2011-11-21T07:14:00.001-05:00

This week 101 will be announcing the "2012 Wall of Fame" selections, thanks to all who voted. Just like the first class selected in 2011, this is a wonderful group. Each day thru Friday one person will be announced. First up...

ED BRANTLEY

Ed is in his 6th decade as a force in Ktown radio beginning as a young DJ at WIVK. Ed rose thru the frog ranks and became the market manager when Citadel owned WIVK, etc.

Last year Ed left that group and joined another Ktown legend, Johnny Pirkle, as GM and morning host on WNOX-FM 100.3!

Congrats to Ed...a Ktown legend and "2012 Wall of Fame" selection!!!

2011-11-17T09:47:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday wishes to one of Ktown's all time favorites~ Dave Foulk!

From the 101 InBox...

"I just learned that George Mooney passed away recently. I am another one of many lucky people to have been favored with Mr. Mooney’s generosity and graciousness. In 1966, I wanted badly “to get into radio.” But, there was no way on God’s green earth that I could hope to match the on-air talent of Bob Baron, Dr. Al Adams, and Sonny Knight (Carlos Kivett). Mr. Mooney figured out a way to get me on the air. Knoxville was a very different town in the late 1960s. And it hummed at night with a special throbbing back beat not seen today. No interstates, so interstate travelers and trucks rolled through the middle of town all night. Three or four bakeries, JFG, and a half dozen knitting mills all had night shifts. Vine and Central, College and University, McCalla Avenue, “Happy Hollar”, and Asheville Highway were covered with late night clubs. Comer’s Sports Center on Gay Street and Deane Hill Country Club often had late-night card games. TVA’s reservoir and waterway management group was on duty 24/7 in the New Sprankle Building. The Smoky Mountain Market, Helma’s, and Bill’s Restaurant were early morning gathering places. And Blue Circles, the Happy Place for Hungry People, were everywhere. Outside of town, on a car radio, you could dial in WSM, WLAC, WLS, WOWO, WBAP, WBZ, WCFL, and many other legendary AM stations. And, several times a week, I would run across police, sheriff or fire department activities. I bumped in to Mr. Mooney in a White Store one day, mentioned what I was seeing (and occasionally photographing), and wondered if I could file reports for his radio station. In that deep booming voice, he stated that WKGN had always stood for “Where Knoxville Gets News.” Mr. Mooney told me to call the News Director (the name escapes me, sadly) and make my pitch. I did, and got things set up. Heady stuff for a 16 year old. WKGN’s staff was very attentive. Al Adams and Sonny Knight were particularly helpful with writing and diction. Bob Baron and Joe Sullivan showed me how to “run the board,” edit tape, make carts, and handle the AP and UPI teletypes. Dr. Frank Thornburg, a UT Journalism professor, taught me how to write for radio and construct lead sentences. I was dating his daughter at the time, and I think Courtney began to wonder whether I was at her house to visit with her, or have her father critique my recent stories. Those times indeed were different...and in many ways, it was a better world back then. Thanks for allowing me to share some pleasant special memories about the man who, to me, will always be THE Voice of the Vols." (Art Miller)

2011-11-14T00:00:00.001-05:00

Congrats to former Ktown DJ Chuck Edwards for winning the CMA Major Market Personality of the Year along with his cohost Linda Lee...they are heard in the afternoon on Detroit's WYCD as Edwards and Lee!

A reader of 101 has a new site CLICK HERE and will feature TN television stuff, etc.

You still have time to vote for the "2012 Wall of Fame"...select your 5 all time favorite Knoxville radio peeps, from owners to janitors! Email 101 at KtownRadio@gmail.com!

There are new buttons at the bottom of each post giving you the capability of sharing with the world!

2011-11-11T08:40:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday and God Bless our Veterans!!!

Today 101 is pulling some notable quotes off our Facebook page (add me at KtownRadio George Vavalides)...

"Hey KtownRadio! Here is a quick tidbit for you...when WYSH-FM moved from 104.9 to 95.3 back in the early 1980s, they were known as 95FM for a short amount of time. This was before WNKX became the official calls for 95.3 and was branded as Kix 95." (Derrick Anderson)

"Just a quick tidbit... When CP and Walker reunited in 1982 it was at am 850, but the call letters were WHIG not WIVK am...I remember reading an article about it promising adult contemporary...Think it lasted for one George Benson tune then back to country..."(Eric Martin)

"Worked with Eddie (Beacon) in the summer of '81 at WRJZ. He took over middays when Adele left. He walked in one day, posed just like in this picture (above), and said, "Hire me or the poor DJ gets it!" We all said, "Stop. Our sides. Tim (Edwards), please hire Yo' Swangin' Deacon." Tim did." (Steve Howard)

2011-11-09T10:17:00.000-05:00

Happy Hump Day...Here's a 101 Reload~

Radio allows one to create a made up on air name...that in itself is pretty cool. And didn't all of us spend time in our youth grabbing pencil and paper and writing down potential on air names...Ktown has had some groovy made up monikers...Eddie Beacon, Suitcase Simpson, Sonny Knight, Brother John St. John, Jessica James, Smokey Burns, Tollie Michaels, etc. Please welcome back Bill Beason, I mean Buzz...

"Just a note on how Buzz Dailey came about...Bear "with the hair" Bradley (formerly of 15WLAC) called and asked if I was interested in working in Music City. I said yes and as I drove up for an interview, I heard Dick Winstead on the air. Dick had suggested me for the morning drive slot which I accepted. The only catch was I had to start the very next morning because the current jock had just walked out the door on his way to New Orleans. An agreement to put me up in a hotel until I could find an apartment was reached. Then came another request...drop the name Bill Beason! Bear said since he already had the "BB" name (as in Bear Bradley) he wanted something that sounded cool. His reasoning was Nashville, as he called it, "is a glitter radio market". After a few names were tossed around, Bradley asked me to settle between only two names..."Ben Dover" or "Buzz Dailey". It did not take long for me to decide the first was not for me! I had these terrible images pop in my head of someone calling for "Ben Dover" on the PA system or at a public event. So, Buzz Dailey was born and the rest is history! On another note, Steve Bridgewater aka Dr. Don West later suggested the name "Mike Hunt". I told him I had already seen the movie! Then, Phil Hunt became PD at KIX95. Wow, did he ever catch it when we learned his full name...Phillip Mike Hunt! I actually believe he purposely tampered with the phone PA system after a few months." (Bill Beason)

2011-11-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

"Knoxville's WIVK" by Ed Hooper is a must read for veterans of Knoxville radio when radio meant something here. This book makes the perfect bookend to Hooper's book about WNOX. If WNOX was the alpha of radio presence in Knoxville, then WIVK was the omega. The book meant a lot to me because I knew some many of the people mentioned and pictured. The pictures, by the way, are worth the price of the book. Many of them came from the archives of "Our" Dave Young, unofficial archivist of Knoxville radio and himself a major player during the day. Good job, YDY. Sad to me is how many of these people are gone now, but saddest of all is that the guy who probably was responsible as much as anybody for the success of WIVK, the fabulously talented genius Claude Tomlinson, never lived to share the wealth when WIVK was sold. The book is published by Arcadia Publishing and available online. I got mine at the Walgreen's on Peters Road at Kingston Pike.

Tom Jester

2011-11-04T00:00:00.001-04:00

It's another "101 Reload" and 1981~

Over at Q94 the "Jeff Winters Wake Up America Show" was on daily from 6-10a.

JJ Scott was about to exit WRJZ as the year began, he was headed to WFYR Chicago.

Randy Miller was beginning his ascent up the radio ladder as he became the morning DJ at WXKX Pittsburgh.

"Big Music" Ken Russell returned to the air waves at WIVK to host a weekend show.

Over at WOKI FM 100 future TV reporter Diane Baich was a news anchor.

Mike Beach was mornings at Rock 104, Carson Cooper handled middays, and Kim Mayo was afternoon drive DJ.

In March it was announced that Adele was TV bound to do the weather on WTVK Channel 26.

April saw Mike Clark exiting WATO to do news at the new U-102.

In 1981 Phil Williams was handling morning at WNOX 990.

Tim Edwards became PD at WRJZ in June as Fred Story left for WBCY Charlotte. Around that time Bob Savage was named a consultant for WIVK.

In the summer of '81 there was a shake up in morning drive at WNOX as Phil Williams left and John E. Douglas took over.

The April/May Birch Report 12+ released in July had WIVK-FM on top with a 18.4, WEZK 15.8, WIMZ 12.7, WOKI 12.4, WNOX 9.8, WIVK-AM 6.7, and WRJZ 6.2.

WATE TV 6 named Scott Sams Sports Director in July.

In August U-102 featured Dr. Dave Dunaway in the AM with Phil Williams afternoon drive!

In late August Jeff Winters popped up at WNOX and had reinvented himself as Jeff Shannon.

In the fall mornings at WRJZ were no longer CP and Walker, as CP was flying solo in the morning. Also at WRJZ were Eddie Beacon 10a-3p, Tim Edwards 3-7p, Bob Ziegler 7p-12, and Martin Baker all night.

Phil Williams returned to WNOX mornings in November, the PD was now Jay Michaels.

WIVK maintained a steady line up with Claude Tomlinson, Bob Thomas, Ed Brantley, Mickey Dearstone, and Terry Womack as the regulars.

As the year wound down the WRJZ news team was winding up and featured David Henley, Ernie Baker, and Brad Schultz.

In early December it was announced that CP and Walker would reunite and become the morning team at WIVK AM starting on January 4 1982.

And so there you have it, a stroll down memory lane. Where were you in 1981?

2011-11-02T08:24:00.000-04:00

Our very first post talked about the WNOX announcer strike...it's part of Ktown radio folklore. From the 101 Audio Vault here's part of the action...Ray Wilck, J Worthington Smith, and Eddy Roy~

2011-10-31T09:15:00.001-04:00

2011-10-31T00:00:00.002-04:00

Trick or Treat...

In the summer of 1972 WROL was called W-149~

6-10 Gary Adkins

10-2 Clayton Gish

2-4 Johnny Pirkle

4-7 Charlie Bruce

7-12 Brother John

12-6 Jim Price

News- Gordon Van Mol and Tom Buckley

Over at WETE 620 at that time (as CP noted) were Hop Edwards, Howard Gunter, Jim Humphries, and Curtis Parham!

2011-10-29T07:01:00.001-04:00

We hear from 3 greats in the 101 InBox~

"In 1972 I had just left WBIR to do afternoons at WETE; I came over with the PD Howard Gunter (what a set of pipes) when Hall Communications bought the station. After Hop Edwards left, Jim Clark did mornings and eventually I took over AM drive. That was really a fun station and became even better when it changed to WRJZ." (Curtis Parham)

"In '72 I think I was finishing up as "Tony the Tigar" at WRMA Montgomery and heading up to Tuscaloosa to work PM drive and sales for Vic Rumore at WNPT. A couple of years later Vic brought me to Ktown and WKGN. Looking back on all of those great DJ's I met along the way is really something special. They are a breed of talent that does not exist anymore. It was live, on the fly, radio. No script, no do overs, just open the mic and let it happen. (The World Famous~Tony Igar)

"Speaking of the difference in WKGN’s 1000 watts and WNOX’s 10,000. Legendary radio salesman Bob Crenshaw was working at WKGN. He had a car dealer on the air that ran with him every month. One month Bob went to see his guy to change copy. They told him someone from WNOX had come to see him and he’s decided he was going to try WNOX for a month. Bob happened to look at the guys desk and he saw the person’s business card from WNOX. On the card it said WNOX 10KW. Bob quickly whipped out his card and showed it to the client. Look he said…WNOX has 10KW but we have One Thousand Watts!!! Do you want 10KW or 1000 Watts!!! The guy stayed with Bob. Why would you ever want 10KW (or as we know 10,000 watts) when you can have 1000 Watts!!!" (Paul Lyle)

2011-10-27T06:37:00.000-04:00

101 travels to July 1972...

WKGN added two DJs to their line up, Gary Drake and Jerry Steele.

6-9 Bob Baron

9-12 Gary Drake

12-3 Chris Hampton

3-7 Wayne Bernard

7-12 Frank Erwin

12-6 Jerry Steele

News- Jim Goodman, Walker Johnson, and Joe Anderson

Over at WETE 620 Hop Edwards was the morning DJ.

Some of the voices at WIVK included...Norman Majors, Kenny Dearstone, Ed Brantley, Bob Catron, Bobby Denton, Barry Smith, Jimmy Vineyard, Terry Womack, and Claude Tomlinson!

Where were you in '72?

2011-10-21T16:51:00.001-04:00

rest in peace Dan Wheldon...vroom!

2011-10-21T06:20:00.000-04:00

101 is still accepting votes for the "2012 Wall of Fame", our version of a Ktown Radio hall of fame. The first class is listed to the right, so don't vote for those 5, but all else are eligible...even Lester Longmire and Elwood P. Suggins. (Email your votes to KtownRadio@gmail.com)

Join the extra 101 action by joining our Facebook page...KtownRadio George Vavalides! Over there we are still discussing the WKGN vs WNOX radio wars!

Here's Mike Clark~

"On the face of it, it shouldn't have even been close. WNOX was a 10kw blowtorch, while WKGN operated at (I believe) one tenth of that. Yet it was a pitched battle. When I was in elementary school and early high school years, I listened mainly to WKGN. I remember Dr. Al doing "instant request and dedication", answering the phone on-air as Willard the Duck. Dr. Al, by the way, went on to host a TV dance show called Discoteen on the old WTVK, channel 26. Radio was king in those days. I remember kids in school would be talking about what was on the radio the night before. It was a big deal." (Mike Clark)

2011-10-20T09:50:00.001-04:00

The 101 InBox is on fire...

"I have to correct Walker Johnson on one point; I quote; "Sure others tried to be 'KGN. WNOX gave it several shots but never made it." I joined WNOX in April 1969 and for the next three years we blitzed WKGN in the ratings. 'KGN were so upset, they commissioned UT to do a survey for them. They never published the results because they came off even worse. I can’t speak for the following years, I’d moved on. I’m sure those surveys must be available somewhere to verify what I stated above. (Bernie Quayle aka Sir Bernard)

"George, I was working for George Mooney at WKGN doing a 196 hour marathon at the TV&I Fair riding a ferris wheel when Kerry Lambert brought the news that Mooney had sold the station. Vic Rumore came in to over see the transition to Creative. The new company took over on March 1st with the statement that nothing would change. (Yea right). 15 days later Jean Ash and I got the ax, and WIVK picked up 2 new staffers." (Dave Young)

2011-10-19T08:28:00.002-04:00

"My wife, Diane and I were blessed to know George as fellow ex pats in Anguilla, West Indies. Of course we met George first at Saint Gerard’s Catholic Church on the island where he had become The Voice of Saint Gerard’s. George’s total faith in the Lord and love of the Blessed Sacrament was always an inspiration to me. George and I became very close over the years and I discovered a gentle soul who was generous to a fault. George was always ready with that wonderful laugh and a word of encouragement to all. He remained loyal to the Vols who he cheered on every season and critiqued in off season as he would explain to me how his team would enter the next season. We enjoyed sitting over dinner and drinks discussing his past affiliations and the current affairs of Anguilla. George was loved by all of Anguilla. Even after he moved back to his beloved Tennessee, and we to Texas, I was blessed to visit with him each month by phone. While we both shared a desire to return to the islands we both knew that for now we needed to be stateside. I will miss our conversations and though I have an emptiness in my heart, I know that he is home with his Lord and Savior. God Bless and comfort his family."

Respectfully yours,

Dennis Sheehan

2011-10-18T00:00:00.001-04:00

101 received several emails questioning when George Mooney sold WKGN...it looks as if Creative took over in February 1975...

Page 3...

Coming soon~ Sir Bernard talks about WNOX The Big 99, and a George Mooney friend from the Anguilla years looks back!

2011-10-17T08:28:00.000-04:00

101 continues our tribute to George Mooney~

"In 1981, I heard that Mr. Mooney was going to once again be involved in Knoxville radio. So, and I guess it was a little presumptuous of me, I called his office. Talked to Polly, who was very nice, and actually put me through to Mr. Mooney. He didn’t have to talk to me; he didn’t know me from Adam. But he did, and was very helpful. He told me who I needed to talk to at the station about a job. I never did get to meet him in person, but that phone call, and his kind words, helped me start a 14 year stint at U-102. I’ll always remember that." (Mike Clark)

"I only had two (US) radio jobs in my career and lucked out both times: bosses George Mooney and James A. Dick. May they both rest in peace." (Jean Ash)

Page 3...

Happy Birthday wishes to the Real Randy Miller, Randy and I worked together at WIVK in the late 70's and Randy went on to have a booming career in the Kansas City market!

2011-10-15T08:46:00.000-04:00

The tributes are arriving...send your memories of George Mooney to KtownRadio@gmail.com. Here's Walker Johnson~

"Pix is WKGN either '72 or '73 and it is the LAST staff to work for Mr. Mooney before he sold it. For years WKGN was the premier radio station in Knoxville, Tennessee. DJs from all over the South wanted to get on 'KGN for the simple reason they knew it was a spring board to a bigger market. Sure others tried to be 'KGN. WNOX gave it several shots but never made it. As for WIVK, personally I never knew anyone who listened to them unlike WKGN where I didn't know anyone who did NOT listen to it. George Mooney was the man behind the plan. He was an owner with a brain and a drive that was infectious to all those around him. I can truly say that Mr. Mooney towered over every owner that I ever worked for and no other radio station since has come close to being his Famous 1340. He will be missed" (Walker Johnson)

2011-10-14T14:54:00.002-04:00

George Mooney passes away...

If you grew up in Ktown, you know the importance of George Mooney as a pioneer broadcaster. George was elected to our first "101 Wall of Fame" this year.

In Ktown George was known as the owner of WKGN 1340, the flagship station of the Mooney Broadcasting Corporation and as a "Voice of the Vols"...only a few have shared that title, John Ward, Lindsey Nelson, and now Bob Kesling.

May his memory be eternal!

2011-10-14T13:57:00.001-04:00

"Just saw your rewind on WYSH. When WRJZ was just getting going, the PD Bob Kaghan mentioned that he would like to try a woman on the air and told us to let him know of any good female jocks. I was dialing around one day and landed on WYSH and heard a really good female doing a remote. I got Kaghan to give her a listen and he wound up hiring her. The female in question worked all nights initially and went on to middays before getting into TV. She went from Knoxville to Durham to Chicago to Denver where she still anchors for the NBC affiliate there. Her name? Adele Arakawa or just "Adele" as she was known on WRJZ. Not a bad career for a country girl from Lafollette." (Curtis Parham)

Page 3...

I'm on Facebook, search for KtownRadio and add me as a friend, we feature bonus info and photos there!

Happy Birthday wishes to Ernest "Buster" Sutton!

2011-10-12T06:54:00.000-04:00

Today we feature another "101 Reload"~

In 1982 WYSH Clinton was an AM and FM combo broadcasting from 6a-midnight...

6-8a Jim Stair (General Manager)
8-9a Charlie Phillips (General Sales Manager and Sports Director)
9-1p Walter Stair (Music Director)
1-5p Debbie Carroll
5-8p Bob Wallace (Chief Engineer)
8-12a Ray Mason

PD was George Guertin and ND was Lavon Nehring!

The AM was located at 1380 on the dial and had 1000 watts of power, the FM at 104.9 with 3000 watts ERP.

The frequencies were simulcast and played modern country...and placed emphasis on local news and Clinton High School football and basketball. UT football and basketball as well as Cincinnati Reds baseball were also broadcast.

On Sunday mornings GM Jim Stair hosted a public affairs program called "What's Happening".

If you have photographs and memories of WYSH, send them to 101!!!

2011-10-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

We continue our look back at WKGN The Famous 1340...and the year 1973~

The year began with the following line up...

6 Bob Baron

9 Gary Drake

12 Chris Hampton

3 Wayne Bernard

7 Frank Erwin

12 Jerry Steele

In late February Jack Diamond arrived as the 7p-12 DJ and Frank Erwin moved to 9a-noon slot replacing Gary Drake.

July arrived and Chris Hampton left to become Program Director at a station in Florida, Hampton's 12-3 spot was not immediately filled.

In late July PD Bob Baron takes Dick Winstead full time in the 9-noon time slot and Frank Erwin moves to noon-3p.

In August a new morning voice was heard...Smokey Burns. Smokey went on to become "Murphy in the Morning" in cities like Charlotte and Chicago!

September...Jack Diamond was offered a gig in Louisville KY and packed up and became Coyote Calhoun. Coyote first worked at WAKY in Louisville but has been PD at WAMZ there since 1980.

So the line up was...6 Smokey Burns, 9 Bob Baron, 12 Frank Erwin, 4 Wayne Bernard, 8 Dick Winstead, 12 Jerry Steele.

...and in December, a big surprise~ longtime WNOX star Your Dave Young joined The Famous 1340.

And that's the way it was, in 1973, at WKGN The Famous 1340!

2011-10-08T08:54:00.001-04:00

It's time to vote!

101 is asking you to vote for your 5 all time favorite Knoxville radio stars...owners, DJs, janitors, etc. Send your 5 votes to KtownRadio@gmail.com!

In 2011 the first class was selected...Bobby Denton, Claude Tomlinson, George Mooney, Jim Dick, and Johnny Pirkle! Who will we add to the '12 Wall?

Foto is Eddie Beacon, the swingin' deacon!

101 is now on Facebook...search "KtownRadio George Vavalides" and send me a friend request!

Go Vols beat the Dawgs!

2011-10-07T08:20:00.000-04:00

It's the summer of '73 and WKGN is still "The Famous 1340"...and what a DJ line up~

6-9 Bob Baron (Program Director)

9-12 Dick Winstead

12-3 Frank Erwin

3-7 Wayne Bernard

7-12 Jack Diamond

12-6 Jerry Steele

Weekends- Jack Gregory and Ken Burger

News- Joe Anderson and Walker Johnson

Jefferson Kaye had exited for a station in Buffalo NY, it was being programmed by Bobby Rivers...and Don Smith was the Music Director at WSM Nashville (All 3 were former WKGN jocks)

Page 3-

Birthday wishes yesterday to Jeff Jarnigan!

2011-10-05T09:35:00.001-04:00

Happy Buster Day...we feature the legendary Buster Sutton~

"I read the paragraph about me, flabbergasted that someone would remember after all those years. I'm still around, doing engineering like I've done since the 50s. I live in Sweetwater and Tellico Plains! I love reading your posts! ~Ernest O. (Buster) Sutton~"

Page 3~ Happy Birthday to Becky Lynn!!!

2011-10-03T16:03:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday, time for another classic "101 Reload"...Dave Foulk is one of our favorites. PS~ I have a new 101 Facebook page, search for "KtownRadio George Vavalides" and add me! Here's Dave...

Nearly forty years and eighty pounds ago, I pulled off a toenail curling prank on a co-worker at the old WEZK studios on Sharps Ridge.

WEZK was fully automated with one of those giant IGM setups. It had eight Scully tape decks, three carousels, some other machinery, a card reader, timer, and clock all in one long line of bright blue and gray racks. The station had planned for expansion, and had an extra rack in the line. It only had a few wires running through it and a person could easily fit inside. You can probably see the opportunities appearing already.

The station was an easy listening format that played things like 'A Thousand And One Strings Play The Beatles", or "Enoch Light and The Light Brigade in Quadraphonic Sound". At night, the music became even softer with a lot of string ensembles, etc. loaded onto the eight decks. It was an ideal place for a college student like me. The station didn't mind if I studied or did school work on the 5PM until 1AM shift.

One night, for some reason, my co-worker Bruce Owen was in the building during my shift. Bruce had been a high school friend and fellow musician, and I had a reasonable belief that his heart was healthy.

While Bruce was upstairs on the television studio level getting a soda from the machine, I had the idea to scare the bejeebers out of Bruce. I went to the back of the automation system, opened the door to the big, empty rack, and squeezed in.

Bruce apparently didn't miss me. I waited. And waited. I let him get all settled in with his chips and pop and his school book. The soft violins were playing to the click, click, click of the automation clock.

Then, I took a big deep breath and let out the most blood curdling scream I could manage. Invisible bejeebers shot out from every orifice in Bruce's body. He was looking around to see what in the name of Montovani was going on...when I screamed again.

From that evening on, both of us would open the cabinet door and check every time we went into that room.

My turn came one night when I was doing production in the cement-walled studio. The Collins board, by the way was one of the strangest I have ever operated. It used some kind of new technology for the pots..technology that was abandoned, I believe. That board was not near as good as the old RCA BC6 at WBIR that I ran in later days. But I am digressing.

I was dubbing in my commercials and setting the encoding and change tones and all the other attendant mess that went with the automation. The studio had a big picture window that was nice during the day, but sometimes a little spooky at night because you were inside all lit up. Howard Oberholtzer was one of the technicians who worked upstairs at WTVK-TV. Howie, a Cedar Bluff neighbor of mine, walked in the dark all the way to the back of the station and stood still in my window until I glanced up. Not expecting to see a face, I nearly wet my linen.

And speaking of the old WTVK-TV- How many people remember Johnny Mountain and his role as Bozo The Clown?

Finally this quiz: Can anybody name the WEZK morning jock who also had a LIVE television show on Channel 26?

This blog is a wonderful read. I enjoy every story and sidebar about this town's great broadcast history.

2011-09-30T08:25:00.000-04:00

Time to open up the 101 InBox~

"Hey George, just saw the WNOX history book. (forgot the real name) Tom Jester and I were chatting about some of the great photos and people who have been in radio in Knoxville. Being with Jester this weekend brought up a ton of good ole radio stories from back in the fun days. Came across a picture of Bill Hayes--the man with the cheshire grin--anyone remember when he took over a small AM, WJBE? James Brown Enterprises. Think it only lasted a couple of years. If I remember correctly, when Bill could not get paid, he wised up and got back in the real radio game. Heard he is in Pigeon Forge peddling videos out of his own stores. Thanks for keeping the blog alive." (Chip Emerson)

2011-09-28T14:10:00.000-04:00

George;

Here’s a photo taken a few days ago at a get together of old friends in Morristown, Tn. A couple of us worked in Knoxville at various times and one never did. Mainly because he’s been doing mornings at WCRK for over 50 years and still going strong. Here’s the run down:

Back row: Bob Poland (WNOX, Kix 95, WRJZ,WKGN) Tim Crews (WMTN, WCRK) and Ed Arnold(WNOX, Kix 95, WJXB, GM @ WCRK/WMTN)

Senior row: Chuck Ketron (WETE/WNOX, “Hold that line”, Owned WSEV AM/FM) Ed Dotson (WCRK mornings for 50 yrs.)

Bob Poland

2011-09-26T00:00:00.001-04:00

Let's kick off the new week with a "101 Reload"...we featured this story a few years ago~et's kick off the new

101 goes way back today...1972 and WKGN "The Famous 1340". As the new year began the DJ line up featured-

6 Bobby Rivers
9 Bob Baron
12 Sonny Knight
3 Wayne Bernard
7 Brother John
12 Frank Erwin

In mid January Allen Dennis joined the station as the new morning DJ!

In late March Chris Hampton left his WKGN news position and became a fulltime DJ.

On May 15 Allen Dennis exited for sister station WMAK Nashville and Eddie Beacon returned to 'KGN...(Brother John also left as he joined W-149)~

6 Bobby Rivers
9 Bob Baron
11 Chris Hampton
3 Wayne Bernard
7 Eddie Beacon
12 Frank Erwin

Shortly...Eddie Beacon exited again and Frank Erwin went to 7p-12 and was replaced on the overnight show by Monte Morgan.

The WKGN news team in 1972 featured Jim Goodman, Walker Johnson, and Joe Anderson...

The door continued to swing open that year, on July 3 Gary Drake and Jerry Steele joined WKGN...

6 Bob Baron
9 Gary Drake
12 Chris Hampton
3 Wayne Bernard
7 Frank Erwin
12 Jerry Steele

...And that DJ line up stayed in tact for the remainder of 1972.

2011-09-23T09:33:00.001-04:00

Happy Friday...

It's the summer of '77~ where were you?

Elvis died on August 16!
WIVK's summer shindig featured Kenny Rogers!
Charlie's Angels was a big TV hit!

...and Russ Brown was working the night shift at WNOX 990!

The 101 Audio Vault features Russ~

Page 3...

Happy Birthday wishes to one of our favorites...Jean Ash!!!

2011-09-21T00:00:00.001-04:00

Happy Hump Day...time for another "101 Reload", here's 500 Mega Watts~

"Normally I guess we never talk much about engineers. Never on the air and always involved in the technical. But……..I know a lot of people will remember Ernie “Buster” Sutton. He did the engineer thing at WTVK, WKGN, WOKI and no telling where else. He also taught at the Professional Academy of Broadcasting. His treatise on amplifiers, applefryers and rectumfryers was one the funniest things I have ever heard. I have no idea where Buster is today, but I feel certain many folks will have a good laugh recalling some of Busters many activities over the years."

"One night after I finished my air shift at W*** I went over to visit Terry. After a while – more like several hours Claude “The Cat” came in for his morning show. This was when he still ran his own board. Claude apparently noticed us before we saw him. While he was out in the hallway he did a voice of an old lady which scared the crap out of us both. It was a good laugh for us all but something about that voice stuck in my mind. I had heard Claude do Lester and Old Man Schultz but this female voice. It was much later that I learned (though a daughter of Claude’s), that he did the voice of Granny Loomis – of Country Sausage commercials. I often wonder if Claude’s talents were fully known by his loyal listeners."

2011-09-19T06:40:00.000-04:00

In the summer of '77 WOKI-FM 100 was sounding great...and was an automated station, ie- the precursor to voice tracking. Down the road the station went "live".

Scott Sams worked at alot of Ktown stations before TV land called.

When Scott joined WOKI that the summer their line up featured~

6-9 Johnny Pirkle
9-12 Russ Skinner
12-3 Steve Lobertini
3-7 Scott Sams
7-11 Mike Beverly
11-2 The Brothers
2-6 JL Myers

The 101 Audio Vault features Scott signing on WOKI for the first time...

"RAIN" theofaniamusic

2011-09-16T16:57:00.000-04:00

2011-09-14T00:00:00.002-04:00

Happy Hump Day from Park City Utah! Today we feature another 101 Reload~

"When Carson Hutchison (King in the Morning) was at WOKI radio when it first went on the air in 1974, Bill Johnson brought in a new account. Snuffy's Discount Store actually had two locations--Jamestown and Ducktown. Carson and I spent a lot of nights sitting around the radio station listening to old records. One of our favorites was the Saturday Morning Radio Show featuring Lester "Roadhog" Moran and his Cadillac Cowboys (aka the Statler Brothers). Carson did a take-off voice of the ole Roadhog for the new account that started out "This here's Me fer Snuffy's" and ended with "....and I'll see ya next time." When Carson left WOKI a couple of months later, I picked up the account and continued the commercials using the same voice character until Snuffy quit advertising on the radio in 1983. There was actually a Snuffy (I don't remember his real name) who owned the store. When people started driving to Jamestown from all over to get a Big Orange Dope, Snuffy put Orange Crush soft drinks in his machine outside the store and put a homemade "Big Orange Dope" label on the button. I wrote all the copy for all the commercials, which generally told some crazy story about Me and Ole Snuff sittin' around sellin' stuff. Oh, some wonderful memories of those days at "The Only One". Mike Beverly and Cliff Hudson have some stories to tell, too." (Dave Lambert aka Da Kid)

2011-09-12T06:12:00.000-04:00

"Yo George! Saw your Barry "Mother" Tucker posting for Mike Beck's birthday--technically, it was Barry "The Mother" Tucker, which I christened him with, the first night he followed me doing the all night show on 'KGN...The other "BTMT" piece of memorabilia--the low tar cigarettes were just starting to come in to the scene...I was smoking Merits or something like that--Mike would always have Marlboro's in the famous red box--every night about 11:30 I'd bum a real cigarette--to a point where the phrase "Got a boro" made it to the liner board in the studio...Miss those guys!! Keep spinnin' it George! "(Mick Rizzo)

Page 3~

Time to vote!!! Send 101 your 5 "2012 Wall of Fame" choices, ie- your all time favorite Ktown radio peeps, the class of '11 is listed to the right!

2011-09-11T08:31:00.001-04:00

2011-09-09T07:00:00.000-04:00

It's time for another "101 Reload" and a birthday wish to KABC's Mark Austin Thomas~

1978...

The year began with Johnny Paycheck topping the country charts with his anthem song "Take This Job And Shove It"!

Over at WIVK the news department was led by Mike Hammond, with Mark Thomas handling midday news, and Dan Bell afternoon news.

Afternoon DJ's in Ktown in January were Tim Edwards WRJZ, Mike Beach WNOX, Dave Elrod WKGN, Scott Sams WOKI, Bill Page WBIR, and Dave Young WIVK.

...At the theatre "Saturday Night Fever" was playing the big screen.

The Vols line up was Kevin Nash, Terry Crosby, Reggie Johnson, Bert Bertelkamp, and Johnny Darden...

...And in late January a new jock arrived at WRJZ, he was known as John Boy Isley!

Mike Beck packed his bags as February arrived and left Ktown and WKGN for WROQ Charlotte. The new line up at 'KGN became Alan Douglas 6-10, Gina Logue 10-3, Dave Elrod 3-7, Keith Lambert 7-12, and Frank Green 12-6.

In '78 WBIR-FM 103.5 was playing country, trying to step on the frog- jocks were Keith Dodd, James Freeman, Bill Page, Phil Moore, Celeste Gourdin, and Mike Johnson...Celeste would later join WIVK for a brief stint.

As spring arrived, so did baseball. The Knox Sox were led by a promising young manager named Tony LaRussa!

WNOX had a very slick line up and a major market sound...Dr. Dave Dunaway was AM drive, Phil Williams worked 10a-2, Mike Beach afternoons, and was followed by PD Scott McLeod, Larry Steel, and Bill Beason (more great stuff from Bill soon).

During early '78 Carson King had joined the WRJZ staff working weekends, he had been mornings at WNOX and WOKI.

Bill Miller was back at WIVK, he was known as Suitcase Simpson...some other names Bill has used in his career are Lincoln Smith and Bad Willie Soul (at WGIV Charlotte).

In May Randy Miller began honing his skills as he started working afternoon drive at WATO Oak Ridge, other jocks there were J. Michael Earl, Marie Shelton, and Jeff Caylor.

Before summer arrived Joe Grant had become night DJ at WIVK, his moniker was "The Joe Show"...and on Monday May 29 WIVK announced that Con Hunley's hit "Weekend Friend" had become #1 on the music charts.

June...Tim Edwards exits afternoon drive at WRJZ and a new name pops up in Ktown as Jeff Jarnigan becomes a weekender at WRJZ. WRJZ...6-10 CP and Walker, 10-2 Rick Kirk, 2-6 JJ Scott, 6-10 John Boy, 10-2 Adele, 2-6 Mark Thompson.

In early August WOKI welcomed Michael Henry Martin to work 7p-11...he was followed each night by The Brothers!

On Saturday August 19 it was WIVK Shindig time...Larry Gatlin, Vern Gosdin, Con Hunley, and Mary Kay Perry were on the card.

In September Christoper T. Gallu took over WNOX as General Manager and Bob Savage entered as Program Director. With Scott McLeod out as PD and afternoons, the new drive time DJ was Scott Majors. BTW...McLeod went to work at WKGN at that point, for a short while he worked mornings at 1340.

That fall Channel 10 news included anchors Bill Williams and Elda Brown, with Scott Sams doing weather and Jim Cline on sports.

And on December 31 Casey Kasem counted down the top tunes of the year...#3 You Light Up My Life by Debbie Boone, #2 Night Fever by Bee Gees, and #1 in '78 Shadow Dancing by Andy Gibb.

Hope you have enjoyed this stroll down memory lane!

2011-09-07T00:00:00.015-04:00

101 is 4 years old today!!! Thanks to everyone for participating and reading!

This date each year will be when we kick off the voting and selection process for the 5 "101 Wall of Fame" members aka our pseudo hall of fame.

In 2011 you voted in our first class...Bobby Denton, Claude Tomlinson, George Mooney, Jim Dick, and Johnny Pirkle.

So put on your thinking cap and send 101 your 5 selections for the 2012 Wall of Fame...DJs, PDs, Engineers, Sales peeps, Owners...you name it!!!

The official 101 email is KtownRadio@gmail.com!

2011-09-05T05:37:00.000-04:00

"George...Had the pleasure of hookin' up with two old hippies of Knoxville radio from the early 70's this past weekend in Vero Beach. On the far left is "The Hawk" Billy Hawkins...he flew high at night on W-149 back in the day. I did afternoons and the guy on the far right is Frank Costa. Frank did air work and lots of other stuff at the station. Needless to say, a great time was had by all. The conversation picked up where we all left off...40 years ago. Fantastic. Some may not know, but WROL/W-149 was one of the first "underground rock stations" in the United States. We had no idea how historic it was at the time. Thanks Pirkle, Sterchi and the rest of the gang. True pioneers." (MB~Mike Beach)

2011-09-02T06:21:00.000-04:00

It was the summer of '77 in Ktown and...

WBIR-FM 103.5 was playing country and they brought in Big Jim Hess to be their morning DJ!

Steve Mears (Coach Ray Mears' son) and Bob Thomas joined WIVK.

Scott Sams starting working 3-7p on WOKI-FM 100.3.

And David Henley was a fresh young voice at WNOX 990. The 101 Audio Vault features David~

2011-08-31T06:37:00.000-04:00

Happy Hump Day...it's time for another 101 Reload~ CP wrote this about his friend Ernie Baker-

"Ernie was one of the dearest people I ever worked with. Ernie was indeed the bartender at our WETE Christmas party. He had a degree in philosophy from UT, so bartending was a logical career move for him. At the party, Ernie "over-served" the GM and the conversation drifted to Ernie's interest in getting into radio. The unnamed GM invited Ernie to stop by and he would put him on the air; much to the GM's surprise (I don't think he even remembered the offer) Ernie showed up on Monday and began his broadcasting career. He stayed with us through the WRJZ days before moving to the Tennessee Radio Network in Nashville. While in Nashville, he attended law school and hung out his shingle in his native Memphis. I was deeply saddened over his passing a few years back after a bout with cancer. I will always remember him fondly as will everyone who knew him." (Curtis Parham)

2011-08-29T00:00:00.001-04:00

Back in '77 drive time at WNOX 990 was anchored by "Disco" Dick Winstead and Program Director Eddy Roy.

The 101 Audio Vault~

2011-08-26T07:02:00.000-04:00

THANKS COACH!!!

2011-08-25T15:58:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday wishes to Barry "Mother" Tucker...or you may have known him as Robin Beck! Our pal Mike Beck now resides in Virginia and runs a group of stations in the Virginia Beach market.

Mike and fellow West High School classmates Rusty Brown and Kerry Lambert all launched their careers at WKGN The Famous 1340 (circa- '74/'75) under the guidance of greats like Wayne Bernard, Dr Al Adams, and Alan Douglas (Sneed)!

2011-08-23T08:11:00.000-04:00

"Hey George! Just catching up on 101 and saw your TK post from a few weeks ago regarding his new Tri-Cities job - coincidentally while cleaning out an office file cabinet this morning, I ran across this magazine ad for TK's Knoxville morning show from 2005. TK's looks as if he's ageing well, and still surrounded by working women" (Gary Loe)

2011-08-19T05:57:00.000-04:00

101 remembers Ron Campbell, in his own words...

"Hi...ENJOY YOUR STORIES ABOUT KNOXVILLE RADIO. BRINGS BACK MANY MEMORIES OF THE YEARS THAT I WAS AT WIVK FROM 68 TO 72, WORKING THE 7 TO MIDNIGHT SHIFT, FOLLOWING BOBBY DENTON'S SHOW. ALSO WORKED THE MORNING SHOW AT WBIR IN 1975 AND 76...KNOXVILLE RADIO IS ALWAYS CLOSE TO MY HEART. WAS INDUCTED INTO THE DJ ROCKABILLY HALL OF FAME IN JACKSON LAST YEAR. NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SEE ANY HONOR LIKE THAT FOR AN OLD COUNTRY BOY. THANKS" (RON CAMPBELL)

"Good to see my old friend, Ed Brantley doing well these days at WNOX. We worked together at WIVK in the old days from 1968 until 1972. He is still one of my friends and will remain so. Plus Ed Brantley is a great radio man. Thanks Ed." (Ron Campbell, Nashville)

THANK YOU THE WEB SITE OF KNOXVILLE RADIO. I WAS THE 7 TO MIDNIGHT GUY ON WIVK FROM 1968 UNTIL THE FIRST PART OF 1972. IT WAS AN EXPERIENCE THAT THIS OLE BOY WILL NEVER FORGET. I ALSO WORK AT WBIR-FM IN 1976...DURING THE MORNING SHOW. THOSE DAYS ARE STILL THE BEST. (RON CAMPBELL, NASHVILLE, TN.)

2011-08-17T00:00:00.001-04:00

Line up...get your line up! Ktown has 2 news/talk radio stations, WOKI 98.7 and WNOX 100.3. Most news/talk formatted stations mix local talent with syndicated programming. Here are the 2 Ktown station line ups~

WOKI

530 Hallerin Hilton Hill

10 Glenn Beck

12 Rush Limbaugh

3 Phil Williams

6 Sean Hannity

9 Mark Levin

1 Midnight Trucking Radio

5 Jim Bohannon

WNOX

6 Ed and Bob

10 Neal Boortz

12 Dave Ramsey

3 The Drive

6 Michael Savage

9 Boortz Overload

10 Laura Ingraham

1 Coast to Coast

Page 3...

"I was saddened to read of the passing of Ronnie Campbell, a good friend of mine when we worked together at WIVK in the late '60s and early '70s. Ronnie died in Nashville in May. He was 70. Most recently he served as Broadcast Information Officer for the Tennessee House of Representatives. He also hosted a syndicated gospel music TV show out of Nashville. I believe he also worked part-time at WSM for a while. Ronnie was a great guy and had a fantastic voice." (Jack Hansen)

2011-08-15T06:02:00.000-04:00

The 101 Audio Vault travels to WRJZ and JJ Scott~

2011-08-12T17:52:00.000-04:00

Before Marconi...the Vavalides family owned restaurants! This is "Jimmy's Candy Kitchen" in Kingsport, Tennessee!!!

2011-08-10T00:00:00.003-04:00

In the early 70's...before 100.3 and 103.5 made big splashes, the rock battle was between WNOX 990 and WKGN 1340, W-149 presented a nice alternative....oh, and WETE 620 was a very nice sounding lite rock or MOR format.

Growing up at that time I did a lot of dial twisting...I listened to Dave Young and Mike Beach and Eddie Beacon, and as a young teenager I would have never dreamed they would become my life long friends.

In the early 70's I remember Sir Bernard and Eddy Roy as the morning DJs on WNOX...and Dave Young was on 3-7p (and what a shocker when he joined 1340)...one of my favorites during that time was King in the Morning on WNOX~ later as the first morning DJ at automated WOKI 100.3. Ron Ashburn and POA had booming news voices at The Rock of Knox!

Over at WKGN in the early 70's...Bob Baron and Wayne Bernard (Charlie Chase) were huge names...Joe Anderson had a distinct news voice. The night DJs in that era were unreal...Johnny Walker and his trumpet, Jack Diamond, Kent Newton, etc...big time radio!

I know many of you have great memories from way back until today...share them here at 101!

2011-08-09T07:38:00.000-04:00

Lordy, Lordy look who's no longer in his 40's...

Happy Birthday to Channing Smith!

Channing joined WIVK 30 years ago (1981) and soon was anchoring the morning news on The Great Day Show with Claude Tomlinson...fast forward to today and you can still hear Channing on 107.7 FM!

2011-08-08T03:32:00.000-04:00

Nashville, Tennessee (July 25, 2011) The newly-created Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame [TRHoF], established to honor the men and women who have made significant contributions to radio broadcasting in the state, will open nominations for its first group of inductees on August 1st. Members of the non-profit organization will have an opportunity to cast ballots for the on-air personalities, station owners and managers, engineers and support staff whom they consider to be Tennessee’s best over the 90-year history of radio broadcasting in the state.

Anyone can belong to the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame, and we encourage both broadcasters and listeners to join our organization. Full Membership is open to anyone who has worked in radio in Tennessee for at least two years, and anyone else, even just an avid radio listener, can become an Associate Member. For a membership application, or more information on how you can join, go to http://www.tennradiohalloffame.org and click on “Membership.” For information on the nomination and voting process for electing our first group of honorees, click on “Nominations and Voting.” Only TRHoF members can vote for their favorite broadcasters.

According to President and Executive Director Lee Dorman, the TRHoF was created because “…after attending the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame awards banquet in October, 2010, I realized Tennessee should have its own Hall of Fame. In 2008, while I was working on my book Nashville Broadcasting [Arcadia Publishing], people kept telling me we needed a way to honor Tennessee’s great radio people. This is the way to do it.”

Inductees will be honored each year at an awards banquet, with the inaugural event scheduled for May 5th, 2012.

The TRHoF hopes to establish a wealth of memorabilia from the early days of broadcasting: articles from newspapers and magazines, tape-recorded early radio shows and other gems of broadcasting history from stations across Tennessee.

"Tennessee radio has such a rich history. We hope to build a collection that will help keep that history alive for generations to come," said TRHoF Historian Dave Nichols.

The Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) educational organization and all donations are tax deductible.

2011-08-04T08:47:00.000-04:00

The 101 Audio Vault features Jim Fairchild and Phil Williams on WNOX, circa- '77!

2011-08-02T15:25:00.001-04:00

Happy birthday to WNOX News/Talk 100.3 FM!

Bob Thomas and Ed Brantley (photo) and all the great sounding voices are one year old today. Ed and Bob worked at WIVK for decades, even Eddie Beacon and Jimmy Vineyard~ radio legends in Ktown, can be heard on the 100,000 watts blow torch!

2011-08-01T00:00:00.014-04:00

The spring ratings are out and the clusters look like this~ Citadel 23.4, South Central 21, and Journal 16.3...folks are asking questions-

"I am an avid reader of your blog. I also love reading about radio at sights like Radio Insight. However, I can't seem to find info concerning the battle between WOKI and WNOX. Who is winning the ratings war? Does it appear that both stations will survive using the same format?" (Steve Hancock)

Page 3...

Happy Birthday to Tim Berry!

Happy Birthday wishes to Mike Beach...the Beachman will be 29 on Tuesday!

2011-07-31T09:16:00.000-04:00

Join Eddie Beacon every Sunday at 11a on WNOX-FM for B2B!!!

2011-07-29T16:11:00.000-04:00

One of my favorites in Knoxville Radio History 101 and an all around great guy...Martin Baker!

2011-07-27T00:00:00.009-04:00

From the 101 InBox~

"Played golf with my brother and his 12 year old son last week at Whittle Springs. We stopped at the old WNOX building and took a look around. It's dilapidated now, but it was a showplace 50 years ago. I wanted my nephew to see some of his grandfather's work. My father, Clyde Miller, was a foreman on that job for the George W. Reagan Construction Company. The irony is that I worked for all the legendary radio stations in town - except WNOX. I was only a visitor in the building that my father built. By the way, Billy Casper Golf now runs Whittle Springs Golf Course and they've done a fine job with the grounds. A big, new pond on the back nine adds a new dimension to playing the course."

Best Wishes,

Bill Miller

(I Am Still Suitcase Simpson)

2011-07-25T08:38:00.001-04:00

Remember former B97.5 morning DJ TK Brooks? TK is back in East Tennessee and now hosts the morning show on WTFM in the Tri-Cities!

TK and Taylor (photo) are on the air from 6-10 daily, 98.5 FM on the dial, followed by Elva Marie 10-3, and Mark Baker 3-7.

Not in Ktown...but right up the road and dial!!!

2011-07-24T00:00:00.002-04:00

Don't you love the oldie control room photos! This is Bill Beason at WNOX 990, the studio at Whittle Springs Road.

Page 3...

Happy Birthday to Paul Lyle!

2011-07-22T05:38:00.000-04:00

Eddie Beacon started a Facebook page titled "I listened to the Big 99 WNOX in the 60's"...one of their superjocks was Your Dave Young (photo)!!!

Page 3...

Happy Birthday wishes this weekend to Paul Lyle!

2011-07-20T09:10:00.001-04:00

Paul Lyle travels down memory (interstate) lane~

WIVK Interstate News!

Mike Hammond was interested in upgrading our news department so he and I went to WSB in Atlanta and spent a day with I guy down there with Gordon Van Mol I believe was the guy’s name. We were blown away by their operation and brought many ideas back to WIVK. One of the most noticeable is we named our news “Interstate News.” So it was then WIVK Interstate News. I’ll never forget Bill Williams grilling Mike on Why and are we now going to carry more stories from the interstate or outside the state of Tennessee. Mike was trying to explain it and was getting flustered as Bill kept pestering him with questions. I finally could stand it no more and just butted in(as I so often do so well) and said…Damnit Bill….We’re doing the same news…..we just call in WIVK Interstate News. It just makes it bigger. That was it. Mike and I were laughing for several days after that.

I also remember we always signed off with

More of East Tennessee’s No. 1 Morning Radio show is next…with Claude A. Tomlinson on Tuesday morning’s GREAT DAY. WIVIK WEATHER (here we played the meteorologist). (music rolling) 72 degrees in Knoxville…I’m Paul Lyle…WIVK Interstate News!!!!

Only about 150,000 people were listening!

VERY COOL!

2011-07-19T00:00:00.002-04:00

Today our 101 Reload is 2 posts from Mike Beach~

"George...Through this site I re-fired an old friendship with the great Frank Erwin in Nashville. We talked for an hour or so and shared some great old stories and celebrated many of those who came before us in K-Town...Erwin had a wonderful comment about us old guys...he said..."we haven't talked in 25 years and it's like we just pick up where we left off. It is very comfortable."

"After getting a good nap just before Jerry Steele's last show, I went on to do afternoons on WAVA and WPGC in Washington DC, mornings on KBEQ Kansas City, KS-04 Denver, KTFM San Antonio, and took Kiss-102 Charlotte from the ground up as PD and morning man with Chuck Baron. Amazing what some sleep can do for one's career! Update: I am currently living in central Florida, and have an active life managing my real estate. Some days I must admit to missing air work a great deal, then I remember how much control management exerts these days. Then I am glad to be working for myself. There are still a very few pockets of real personality around the country, the guys in the back offices don't seem to want original thinkers..."

2011-07-18T03:48:00.000-04:00

The 101 InBox features Dan Bell and David Lambert~

"I think Roger Epperson is right about Janie Fricke doing that jingle...being from Morristown, Janie was active locally in marketing activities before making the jump to Nashville. Even then, she often came back to East Tn. It was not unusual to run into her at West Town Mall, or to have her visit the WIVK Studios. She could project seven or eight different voices vocally, and was featured as back-up on lots of records before making her own. Her back-up band was also from Morristown. Thanks for the memories, especially of ‘76. Did you know I worked for Knox County Ambulance Service for one day? When I moved to Knoxville in September of ‘76, I made the rounds of many of the stations, and even talked with one about being a copywriter. Instead I used my rescue squad experience, and EMT ranking from North Carolina to land the ambulance job. The first day I was on the job, I got a call from Bobby Denton saying they were going to make room for me in the news department, so good by ambulance, hello WIVIK! My one and only day at KCAS my partner was Rick Harrington, who now works with Lifestar." (Dan Bell)

"George...I think it was Jimmy Vineyard who broadcast races live from Smoky Mountain Raceway on WLIL back in the early '70s. I worked the board there as a teenager before moving to WORI/WOKI in 1974 and can still hear the sound of the cars roaring by in the background while Jimmy and others tried to describe the "action" on the track. Had to pay close attention, because there were few scheduled commercial breaks--mostly just time frames within the course of the races." (David Lambert)

2011-07-16T08:34:00.000-04:00

Happy Weekend! It's time for another "101 Reload"~

Very few "music" stations have carried a full time sports department, of course WIVK was the exception. Back in '76 when I joined WIVK, Paul Lyle was Sports Director and worked the morning drive program with Claude Tomlinson.

6-10 Claude Tomlinson

10-1 Jimmy Vineyard

1-4 Ed Brantley

4-7 Bobby Denton

7-12 Tony Eubanks

12-6 Terry Womack

Weekenders- Me, Donny Meltabarger, Jeff Winters, Your Dave!

News- Bill Carnett, Jean Ash, Larry Wayne, Rod Townsend, Lisa McNeal and Calvin Sneed

Sports- Paul and a young up and comer named Bob Kesling

Sales- Ken Russell, Jim Roberts, Eric Bettis, Your Dave, Ed, Booby, and Paul

Within a month of my joining WIVK, two wonderful gentlemen...Dan Bell and Chip Emerson, both came on board.

2011-07-12T08:38:00.002-04:00

101 wants to hear from you~ send your photographs and memories to KtownRadio@gmail.com!

Recently we played a jingle featuring a familiar female voice, here's Roger Epperson's three cents on who the singer was...

"I would bet money that the singer in the East Tenn. Ford spot is Janie Fricke, who before becoming a country music star in her own right, used to sing on many commercials." (Roger Epperson)

Ktown today~ Back in the early 80's WSEV-FM in Sevierville became Knoxville's U-102 WMYU, and today that dial position is WWST Star 102.1!

530-10 Marc, Kim, and Frank
10-3 Gretchen
3-7 Rich Bailey
7-12 Matt Steel