Here's the website:
You can reach Jimmy at (850) 896-8077 and jimmyvineyard@gmail.com.
The 2021 Living Legend is Phil Williams! Phil has been on the radio in Ktown since the '70s...and what a ride it's been!
Phil hatched his on air career at WNOX 990, back when that station ruled the Top 40 world. Phil handled mornings on WIMZ for years, had one heck of a show on The River, and these days is the morning voice on NewsTalk 98-7!
Congrats to Phil and wishing health, happiness, and many more morning shows!
Thank goodness it's time to turn the page, the only difference between today and tomorrow is symbolic, or perhaps psychological, but so be it!
101 had another fun year, both on this page and on our 101 Facebook page (which is interactive). Thanks to all who took the time to send stories, fact and fiction. Let's make '21 even more interactive, there is no story too small, but we love the big stories!
Do you have '21 resolutions? Seems everyone wishes for health, happiness, and prosperity!
I'm happy for technology which allows me to dial twist all around the world, perhaps the universe. Growing up in East Tennessee I used to turn my radio knob at night and picked up WSB Atlanta, WAKY Louisville, WLS Chicago, even KMOX St. Louis! Awh, the good old days!
Did you know...WIVK radio was originally on Gay Street across from the Regas Restaurant. As many of you know my original career path was radio/TV (my degree is in Communications). Fate took me from platters to platters (radio to restaurants). I may be the only person to have worked for both Jim Dick and Bill Regas (Grady's Goodtimes for 13+ years).
Many still in radio tell me it's not the same, I get it, but...I still play DJ while driving in my car.
Here's wishing all a wonderful and virus free new year!
Page 3...
Stay tuned, coming soon- the 2021 Living Legend Award!
...and the story continues!
In mid November 1976, 15Q became 1490 'KVQ!
Many familiar names were on the air- George Patrick Dooley, Suitcase Simpson, Robert Michael Beach, Michael Henry Martin, The Birdman...and The Brothers (Gary Adkins and now Bill Johnson).
In December Amos Pigg was on the air and The Birdman was now Bill Thomas. Other names added were Mark McKinney and Rusty Black!
On Christmas day, Allen Free debuted!
Soon after Barry Hodge, an original from 15Q earlier that year returned.
So what was 1977 to bring...a Christian music format!
This was my first radio job. I attended high school year round so I could graduate early and move down to Knoxville to be on the radio. Ron Baptist hired me. I worked the front desk, I did sales, wrote and voiced commercials, did the weather and news and held down my own air shift. When I started it was soft AC then changed to Christian. I worked there for 6 months, lost my aircheck on an airplane, a stewardess found it, knew what it was, and gave it to Bob Goode, a program director at WROK in Rockford Illinois. He called me and hired me. This photo was taken in early 1976.
Kim Carson
(Mornings with Kim Carson, FM 106.5 WVFM)
Shocking news today as 30 year WIMZ radio personality William Winningham aka Billy Kidd has passed away. He was the afternoon drive host at the rock station. RIP!
Alan Sneed said hello and sent this groovy photo..."Lambert sitting between me and the late Mike Swaggerty on the roof with our air staff in 1977."
Kerry Lambert..."Thanks George! I appreciate that you've kept a history of Knoxville Radio. It's fun to reminisce about The Good Old Days!"
This glamour shot is current day Eddie aka Elwood P Suggins!
Got photo? Send to 101 at KtownRadio@gmail.com
PS- I also enjoyed working with Eddie and Jimmy Vineyard on a weekly racing show called Bumper2Bumper on WNOX FM 100.3, this was around 2010 and for the next few NASCAR seasons, vroom!
