Before 'RJZ...

1976 was a big year in Ktown Radio, among the many reasons other than me turning on the mic for the first time, W149 became 15Q, oh what a wild ride, but short lived. And, WETE 620 morphed in to The New 62 WRJZ. 

If you remember the 'RJZ story, Curtis Parham and Walker Johnson were "hold overs" and formed the award winning morning team of CP and Walker. Some big names arrived on set...Rick Kirk and Tim Edwards among them. Perhaps the coolest on air personality went by the stage name JJ Scott. 

The 101 Audio Vault obtained this exclusive air check of JJ before WRJZ-

 

Dick Winstead was a big part of the disco craze back in the late 70's! Dick was the DJ host at Flanigan's in west Knoxville, the music and dancing were non stop. 

At that same time "Disco Dick" was afternoon DJ at WNOX 990. Before WNOX, Dick was a DJ at WKGN 1340.

Here's Dick via The 101 Audio Vault-

 

Back in the mid 70's news was king at WIVK, as well as being the highest rated country station in America. Mike Hammond led the charge with incredible on air support from Jean Ash and Dan Bell.

Here's the 101 Audio Vault-

 

The WROL call letters have a very long history in Ktown, perhaps most noted in modern times at 1490 AM. In the early '70s the station was known as W149, one of Johnny Pirkle's many contributions to the radio scene.

It's October 1, 1956 and WROL 620 AM was making the switch becoming WATE 620 AM. (and many of us remember Mary Starr)

It's early 1975 and Dr. Al Adams was returning to Ktown and WKGN 1340 where he had work six years earlier. This time he was Program Director and morning DJ. I air checked his first morning show, he opened his mic along side news man Joe Anderson. You can search Dr. Al and listen to his return debut in the box on the right side of our blog.

These photos were posted on our 101 Facebook page, from his early years at WKGN 1340.

What's in a name?

One fun aspect of being a DJ, often you can create or be handed a stage name... 

The 101 Audio Vault travels to 1978 and CC McCartney. You can go to the search box on the right side of our blog, search CC and read the story of how he became CC on WNOX 990.

Joe Sullivan and Charlie Champion WKGN 1340 (circa- 1967)

 

Congratulations to Chuck Edwards for being inducted in to the "Country Radio Hall of Fame". The photo and original article is posted on our 101 Facebook page!

Here's James Turk telling the story of how he became Slick-

I was invited to a dance that required me to wear a suit so I dusted off the one good one I had. I was so glad I went and had a great time dancing the Soul Train line and waving my hands up in the air like I just don't care...was having so much fun I forgot about the time and it was 11:45p and the station was about 20 minutes away. I hopped in my car and made a mad dash for the station...didn't have time to change clothes or find a phone booth to call the on air DJ and tell him I was running late...finally made it to the studio wearing my suit as the DJ opened his mic and he said "Mr. Slick himself James Maurice"...I was about to go on the air and I answered the phone and the caller said "is this Slick?"....and the rest is Knoxville Radio History 101.

 

WKGN 1340, circa early 1960s! This was downloaded on our 101 Facebook page, wanted to share it here!