101 hopes you have had a great 2007! We close out the year by reviewing 1986...help us fill in the blanks! Where were you in '86?

1986 began with UT beating Miami in the Sugar Bowl 35-7...The Vols finished 4th in the final polls behind #1 Oklahoma, Michigan, and Penn State.

At WIMZ Phil Williams was the morning jock, with Rebekah, Keith Lambert (PD), Daddy George, and Commander Dave filling out their line up. Colvin Idol was news anchor.

The network news was still only the big 3...and the anchors were Peter Jennings ABC, Dan Rather CBS, and Tom Brokaw NBC.

Over at WNOX Skip Taggert was AM's, followed by Jerry Caylor, Eddie Beacon 3-7p, and Bill Beason...

WATE TV was monikered as "Live 6" and featured Sam Brown, Diane May, John Gerard, and Greg Peterson.

In the spring as SEC basketball wrapped up, Tony White was named to the All SEC team.

Keith (Kerry) Lambert got a promotion and became station manager at WIMZ(March)...and enter Benji Norton as afternoon jock.

Fast forward to the fall...WIVK: 6-10 Claude Tomlinson, 10-3 Bob Thomas, 3-7 Ed Brantley, 7-12 Laura Paul, 12-6 Terry Womack.

WOKI was going by "Hits 100" and had Ron Harper on in the morning, followed by Gary Beach, and JJ Randle afternoons.

By October some changes had occurred at WNOX...Eddie Beacon was now the morning man, and The Joe Show was working 7-midnight!

In the fall classic, the Mets beat the BoSox in 7 games with Ray Knight being named the series MVP.

11/4/86...Ned Ray McWherter defeated Winfield Dunn and became the Tennessee Governor.

Again, where were you in '86?

Here are classic photos of former WKGN afternoon drive jock Ted Ferguson...from his days at KWEST Los Angeles, the more recent is from Blond Ambition...he plays the priest, oh...they all are playing priests! Send 101 your then and now photos, and as they say, "you haven't changed abit"

101 asked Murphy in the Morning about his Ktown radio name...Below is what Smokey, oops, Murph, had to say...


Smokey Burns??!! Ouch!!

"I made me a vow to the moon and stars
I'd search the honky-tonks and bars
And kill the man that give me that awful name"
J. Cash


That man being Bob Baron, who foisted that name on me when he hired me from WTBC in Tuscaloosa when I was a baby DJ. I was forced to accept it or settle for another nom de radio Bob had concocted, Cas Cumberland - combining the regional name with that of the hillbilly grocery store magnate, Cas Walker, whose TV ads were ubiquitous on Knoxville TV at that time. I know that Uncle Bob-Bob foisted the Smokey moniker on at least one other DJ when he left Knoxville, David Craig Lankford in Erie, PA (Last at KLOU in St. Louis). When Mooney transferred me to WMAK Nashville, I was allowed to use Murphy in the Morning.

Merry Christmas!!!

Coming soon...Smokey Burns!

95-3 'TNZ...

Submitted by Anonymous aka A. Nony Mouse aka Nony A. Mouse N Da House...
The short life of 95-3 WTNZ (Knoxville's TeNneZee)...November of 1986 Knoxville saw the birth of Flame-throwin' Top 40 FM Rocker 95.3 WTNZ when WNKX/WNOX was sold to REBS Communications, Inc. The Group was made up of former ABC newsman Rick James, former Mutual Broadcasting newsman Bob Coker and former WCFL Chicago air personality & Nighttime America host Bob Dearborn. James served as corporate president, while Dearborn was National PD based in Nashville for the seven station chain (3 in upstate New York, 2 in Nashville & 2 in Knoxville). WNKX-FM became WTNZ-FM and Coker was appointed GM of the Knoxville stations. 95-3 PD Chris Mac did mornings briefly...before a host of talent kept the drive chair warm. Promotions Director Bill Beason started out doing weekends, but soon found himself working every air shift at various times before settling in middays. The station line-ups changed frequently and often as Chuck Knight, Gil Andrews and Beason played musical chairs at sister station WWRB-FM (Rebel 100) Nashville throughout '87.

Just one of the many line-ups from '87-
Tom Miller 6-10
Bill Beason 10-3
Chris Mac 3-7
Chuck Knight 7-12
Gil Andrews 12-6
KC weekends

Other air staff during the short life of WTNZ-FM included; the late Jeff Freeman, Bill the Cat, Karen (?) aka KC, Charlene (the cheeselady) & a number of others! By the end of '87, the staff would go through a maze of changes as PD Chris Mac left for Tampa, Bob Dearborn eventually departed REBS, Inc, Tom Miller was appointed PD, Bill Beason left for Shop-At-Home TV Network, Chuck Knight & Gil Andrews headed for Music City (Andrews later resurfaced at WOKI), Station manager Bob Coker would return to his Lobo, New Mexico stations and corporate president Rick James became WTNZ GM, AM Drive, janitor and night security as he kept a bed in the former WNOX control room...Seriously!!! (At last report, Rick James had moved to Athens, Tennessee doing an air shift at WJSQ). Sister station WNOX-AM was sold to Dick Broadcasting and WTNZ would eventually fade away as REBS filed for bankruptcy...


Chad Austin...
95-3 WTNZ (POWER 95) was a great station! Back in 1988 during my Junior Year in High School, I was able to spend some time around TNZ's studios. I remember my very first visit to the station during Spring Break of '88. I got to sit in during the morning show with my good friend who was the PD of the station at the time, "Screamin' Jeff Freeman" back when he and Mike Keith did mornings together. I also met my good friend John Wilkerson for the very first time. John was the MD and he did (12mid to 6am) back then. His show was called, "The Night Flight". A lot of times John would stay over after his overnight shift was over, and he would team up with Jeff and Mike on the air. All three of them were hilarious on the air together. I also remember meeting "Powerman" Rick James who was the CEO and Chairman of REBS, Inc. which was the parent company that owned 95.3 WTNZ. Rick James had some really deep pipes I remember. He had done all of the sweepers for the station after they had changed to "Power 95", and had decided to go more towards a true CHR Format. The station before the "Power 95" era had been playing more of a CHR/Rhythmic format, and had been programmed by Chris Mack before Jeff took over as PD. However, on September 6, 1988 TNZ's reign came to a sad end when the station went dark that afternoon due to financial problems. 95-3 WTNZ was a station that went way before it's time. On a more personal note, Jeff Freeman was a very good friend, and was one of the nicest guys who ever worked in radio. I was very saddened when I first heard about his death back in 2005. I will always remember Jeff laughing, making jokes, and wearing a smile on his face. He will be forever missed.

Update...Radio legend Bob Dearborn corrected some of the info provided by A. Nony Mouse...

Bob Coker was never an officer or partner of REBS, he was strictly the VP/GM of our two Knoxville stations. When he left he went back to Hobbs, New Mexico not Lobo. And ours was a 10, not 7-station group. Merry Christmas!

From the 101 inbox...

Gary Adkins...I stumbled onto your blog. It brought back some great memories. I started out doing weekends at W149 in 1971. I was at W149 until its demise in 1975 (or thereabouts), with 15Q throughout its brief (but memorable) history and with WOKI from 1977 until 1985. At various times I did morning drive, afternoon drive, middays, and was PD with W149 and WOKI. I have been practicing law in Knoxville since 1986. The biggest difference between being a lawyer and being a jock? Now I don't have to put on a long record when I want to go to the bathroom. I put on Free Bird to go to the bathroom so many times back in the day that I finally became conditioned like Pavlov's Dog. Now every time I hear Free Bird I immediately crap my pants. When I have some spare time I will share a few stories. Believe me...I have a few. Especially from W149.

Mike Clark...Man I love this site! Yep, in '83 U-102 had been on the air for two years. I started out anchoring afternoon news in '81 (Colvin Idol did the morning news) but had moved to mornings by '83. It was really interesting: our studio was in Sevierville, on Middlecreek Road, but we had a sales office on Magnolia Avenue in Knoxville, where our street reporters (including news director Roger Hawkins) were headquartered.

Bill Beason...A story about my friend Jim Wilson. He came to WRJZ from WCRK Morristown where he and I had worked together back in the early 70s. When Doc Fidler fired me in '83, Jim was very upset. I talked with Phil Hunt and Jim became AM Drive at KIX95. After I moved on Jim was convinced to rejoin Fidler doing afternoons at WOKI in late '83. Wilson went on to work in the Greenville, SC market. In 2004, while I was visiting Jim at his home, he fell about 30 feet head first onto his paved driveway. Today, Jim has very little memory of his time spent in radio. However, he does remember me and we get together from time to time. He does not have an email address or phone for obvious reasons...but I'm sure some of your readers will be interested to know Jim is slowly recovering and some memory is returning.

Chad Austin...Just wanted to let you know that I emailed Doc (Shotgun) this morning to let him know that he has been mentioned on the "Ktown Radio History 101" site. I have managed to stay in touch with him for the past 22 years and we talk via email at least once or twice a week. I encouraged him to email you guys and share some of his memories from back when he was here in Knoxville at WOKI from 1984 to 1986. Hopefully you guys will hear from him.

Don Lindsey...Well, THIS is fun! Just stumbled on KtownRadio and it's a pure pleasure. Seeing some names and remembering balky equipment I haven't thought about in more than one decade. Did Foulk mention he and Carl Williams are the two people most responsible for getting me the AAA job I've had for the last 30 years? I'll try to come up with an anecdote or two to share if you like. Like discovering the previously unknown paper cut on my finger when pouring liquid freon on a cloth to clean heads and rollers.Thank you for putting this together! WSEV 67-69/WBIR 70-77

Dave Young...1983 was a great year. My oldest son was born on Jan. 3rd and I was working at am 850 WIVK.

Next week 101 looks at 95.3 WTNZ...and more!

Today 101 looks at 1983...

First let's look at the Arbitron landscape as the new year arrived (Fall '82 12+)-
WIVK-FM 22.3
WEZK-FM 13.2
WOKI-FM 12.1
WIMZ-FM 9.9
WMYU-FM 9.3
WIVK-AM 6.9
WRJZ-AM 5.2
WNOX-AM 3.1
WKGN-AM 2.4
WGAP-AM 2.1

Fast forward to 2007, some names and faces have changed. WEZK 97.5 is now B97.5, WOKI-FM 100 is now WNOX News/Talk, WMYU-FM 102.1 is Star 102.1, WIVK-AM 850 is WKVL, and WNOX 990 is now WNML. Those sacred call letters WOKI, WMYU, and WNOX all shifted to new dial positions but have survived the age of change.

Over at WOKI, Kris Copeland was PD. Their line up included Jeff Jarnigan in the morning, KC middays, Brother John St. John afternoon drive, and Bandit was on at night.

Your Dave returned to WIVK in early '83 to do afternoon drive on the AM...AM and FM signals were split.

WIMZ, which was then known as Rock 104, featured Mike Beach and Phil Williams together in the morning, what a great team, and Keith Lambert was PD and afternoons. PS...Beach did exit in early '83, leaving Williams to be a solo act.

Over at WNOX they were PD'd by morning man Ross Brooks, with sister Kix 95 being led by Phil Hunt.

By springtime country had died at WRJZ and a be bop format was on the air. Bob Ziegler took over mornings, with Jim Wilson handling afternoon driving, and Martin Baker was on at night. So where did the Swang head? He had been a mainstay at WRJZ middays when they were country in 1982.

Enter Eddie Beacon (Swang) as afternoon DJ AT WBMK...6-10 James Maurice, 10-3 Greg Daniels, 3-sign off Beacon.

It didn't take Jim Wilson long to exit the WRJZ format as he became morning drive at KIX 95, which was country. PD Phil Hunt moved to middays.

WMYU 102.1 featured Dr. Dave Dunaway, Bill Miller, Larry Trotter, Chuck Edwards, and Tom Van Hart with Mike Clark and David Henley on news.

Enter Jim Donavan to afternoon drive at WRJZ...and the station starting signing off the air at 1 AM.

Down south in Atlanta, Ktown's Dave Foulk was handling traffic at WSB "The Voice of the South". WSB's line up was Russ Spooner AM drive, Mike Adams midday, Dick Hemby afternoon, Chuck Hussion nights, and the one and only Ludlow Porch on all night.

Chip Emerson was already venturing into related ownership as he had a company called Media Dimensions. You can find Chip at our links (R2R Media).

Fast forward to August '83...Mike Beck was brought in to work afternoons at WIMZ with PD Kerry Lambert sliding into middays. What a line up...Williams, Lambert, and Beck!

WNOX had been playing country and Jimmy Vineyard became the afternoon jock in the fall. Michael Henry Martin had taken over morning drive with Scott Majors (Aardvark) in the midday slot...changes continued as Eddie Beacon was brought in to replace Majors.

So there's our stroll thru 1983, where were you?

Coming soon...101 will feature Ktown icons Gary Adkins, Don Lindsey, and more!

Holy Cow...we've got a news flash, keep reading...

Anonymous...
Hey, how much did Johnny Pirkle pay you to mention his best friend's 65th birthday (Bill Johnson) and ignore his 70th which was also on the 14th? I'm just saying that Pirkle needs to get some s*#t too. Unless he's writing checks and if that's the case he can make mine out to CASH!


And now back to our regularly scheduled post-

101 says thank you to Star 102.1...they linked our Bill Johnson birthday post to their website and also gave out our www on the air!

Lot's of folks sent birthday wishes to Bill (keep 'em coming). Here's a sampling-

Jeff Jarnigan...
I worked at WOKI from late 1981 until late 1985 during Bill Johnson’s time selling there. Bill became a good friend during my time at the station. I used to occasionally call out on the request line and into the main business line and impersonate BJ. I'd have the receptionist read me off my (his) messages and tell them things like, "I’ve already talked to that S.O.B.. tear that one up" and clear his entire message slot out. Inevitably, he'd come back to the station and check his messages and find out that "he" had called in already and gotten them. Bill would then make a beeline to my office to scream at me for doing that, "again". Bill has always been a good friend and when you have Bill Johnson as a friend, you have a friend for life and a great one at that. Happy Birthday Bill. I wish you all the best!

Steve Mears...
Here is my Brothers story. It was 1980 and it was my job to read news, do light production, and baby-sit the automation for The Brothers overnight show. About 2:00am The Brothers are riffing on the local news. During a song I get a phone call from an irate listener over in-appropriate comments that were made. I tell the lady that neither Brother is able to take the call but I would let them know her concerns, and I was sure it would not happen again. When The Brothers come back on the air they are still talking a sexual assault that was in the paper in which a hand gun was "used". I start to listen with a "sinking feeling" as the next thing out of Bill Johnson’s mouth is "I bet she got a bang out of that"! Five seconds later a lone phone line lights up and there was no calming her down this time. I finally told her the show was taped. I promised to report the incident to our Program Director when he came in the morning, and I was sure he would give it the attention it deserved. However, I failed tell her our PD was the "other" Brother Gary Adkins.Happy Birthday Bill.I had a blast working with you.

Scott Bohannon...
When I first came to Knoxville 6 years ago; as you do with any new station; I went around the office and introduced myself to the staff. Everybody was gracious, welcomed my family and gave us great words of encouragement...everybody except Bill. He looked me up and down and after a few moments said: "So you’re suppose to be the s*#t, huh?" He walked off and didn’t say anything else. All I could think was "Finally, an old school guy". Happy birthday buddy. You make me laugh. Peace!

101 has added a few new links, check out WWKA Orlando, Shotgun Stevens does mornings and uses the name Doc Holliday. Also, there's a radio message board for East Tennessee that 101 has linked to.

Send us your memories and photos! PS...101 is certain you ALL have some Pirkle stories to share...

Happy 65th Birthday!

...To Knoxville radio legend Bill Johnson! This is a surprise b'day wish, and special thanks to Star 102.1's Kim Hansard for coordinating this cyber party! 101 knows you have some great "Bill" stories and wants to hear from you...Bring on The Brothers!

Photos-
1. Chaka Kahn
2. Beer contest winner
3. Playmate Lynn Schiller
4. Introducing Blue Oyster Cult
5. Alice Cooper

Today 101 opens our mail bag. Here are some great memories from 4 Ktown legends...

Alan D. Sneed-
After Mike (Robin) Beck left for WROQ in early 1978, I also left PD/Mornings at WKGN that March to join Dick Broadcasting as PD of WKDF in Nashville. Kerry (Keith) Lambert took over as PD at "Album Rock 'KGN" and was on his way to a great career in programming, management, etc. Managers...Bill Hays (formerly of WBIR) hired me at WKDF but then returned to Knoxville and was replaced by Vic Rumore from Davis-Newman-Payne. Vic had managed WKGN as both a Top 40 and an AOR before moving to DNP. As many in radio will remember, there was a lot of moving over to Nashville (or back to Knox-patch in some cases) in those days. These postings bring back some great memories!

John Long aka Kincaid aka Oidarman-
There used to be a bar across the street from WNOX. One day I went over there with someone from the station (Pirkle, Rex, Beacon, Jim Clark, Galbraith, etc.) can't remember who. We had a few beers and it was the first time I ever tasted a pickled egg. Anyway, there was a helicopter parked outside and someone asked if anyone wanted to go for a ride. The beers in me spoke up and said “I do”. I guess they saw me coming, because the next thing I know I'm in the helicopter and we're flying all around Whittle Springs Road; we buzzed the apartments I lived in. Then the pilot did something real cute; he cut the power. As I said, they must have seen me coming because I was praying. After what seemed like hours, the rotors started turning again and we landed. Everyone seemed to enjoy my first helicopter ride...but me. Next time: Does anyone remember the receptionist named Marantha? Great sight. Thanks for doing it.

Stephen Wesley Bridgewater

...aka Steve West aka Dr. Don West-
I was the first morning man on (15Q) when it went rock in mid 70's under manager Bob Gross. Also then went cross town to work for manager, Vic Rumore in morning drive at WKGN. From there it was on to Z-93 in Atlanta in 1977 and then to WEFM in Chicago in 1979. Then returned to Nashville in 1982 to make Vic Rumore rich at WLAC FM. In 1983 became the spokesperson for Krystal Hamburgers as COWBOY SID and SHEILA THE WONDER HORSE. 1985 - Then into the movie business full time...You can see additional information for film career by logging onto IMDB and typing in Stephen Wesley Bridgewater (12 Monkeys). All the best!

Your Dave Young-
The Dells sang it and some of us was a part of it. The setting, Saturday afternoon, 1974. On air at WKGN playing the hits as the events began to unfold. YDY...WKGN the Famous 1340 with Your Dave Young, lets go to the phones...'KGN you are on the air. Caller...Hey Your Dave this is Lonnie down at the Tressel Package Store, I just saw a guy running naked, nothing on but a cap that had L&N on it. YDY...Thanks Lonnie, we'll get our News Director Joe Anderson right on it. JA...Dave I am on the scene here on Cumberland Ave., at Sam and Andy's, there seems to be about 15-20 naked guys running up and down the strip. There goes the guy with the L&N cap, here comes one on a unicycle. YDY...Lets check in with Mike Beach, what have you got? MB...Your Dave, I'm at Brownies in the 'KGN Thunder Bus and there are hundreds of people with out anything on, yes I guess this is what they call the Streak. Before the night was over, the Strip was closed from the L&N RR to 17th street. There was naked boys and girls all over the place. Big b**bies, little b**bies, all sizes of w*****s, riding bicycles, unicycles. Not to mention what was happening on the bull atop Sam & Andy's. Joe Anderson had a blast, Mike Beach had a blast, YDY had a blast, and Joe found out what L&N stood for. As he was chatting to the lovely girl in the back of the WKGN Thunder Bus, she said, oh L&N. that's l**g and n****y.

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!

Wow, what a site. I just spent the past few minutes recalling the names of people I have not heard from in years.

I came to Knoxville from WTGR (Tiger Radio) in Myrtle Beach in March of 1976. I replaced Eddie Beacon from 7-Midnight on Super 62 WETE. (Beacon was on his way to work with Chuck Ketron somewhere). At that time CP did AM drive, Jim Humphries middays, Walker Johnson afternoon drive, yours truly 7-12 and Joe Crotty worked over nights. Weekends was Mark McKinney. News was Betsy Gray, Ernie Baker & Anne Alexander.

I left to return to Walters State & WCRK in Morristown in the fall of '76 and WETE became WRJZ.

One year later, I returned to Knoxville as 10 pm till 2 am jock at WNOX where I served as Music Director & assistant PD to Scott "Scooter" McCleod. The line-up was Dave Dunaway 6-10, Phil Williams 10-2, Scott McCleod 2-6, Larry Steele 6-10, Yours truly 10-2 and James Maurice 2-6.

Mike Beach was there for a brief time. He was replaced by C C McCartney. Todd Wallace was consultant whom brought McCleod in to replace Eddy Roy. McCleod left for WABB Mobile and Bob Savage became P.D. (He actually called me in while I was on vacation to fire me in January 1979!) Ron Ashburn & Colvin Idol did news.

I went to back to Myrtle Beach and came back to Knoxville briefly in summer '79 at WKGN before taking the AM Drive gig at 96.3 WKOS Nashville as Buzz Dailey until I was blown out in late '81.

Steve Bridgewater hired me in fall of '81 to do weekends & Promotions at WRJZ which lead me to fulltime in summer of '82. March 1983, Doc Fidler fired me on a Friday morning. By 3 PM, Ross Brooks hired me to start Monday at WNOX as Promotions Director & his morning side kick.

Somewhere along that time I worked at WJSO Johnson City and even managed WKOA Dayton with Eddie Beacon, Ed Garrett and a few Knoxville DJs.

Jimmy Vineyard hired me to come back and do 7-12 mid in fall of '85 at WNOX where I later moved to AM Drive on sister station KIX95 (WNKX-FM) before it became 95-3 WTNZ in November 1986. Once again, I was asked to handle promotions and did middays before leaving in November 1987 to join the up-start Shop-At-Home Network in Newport. In '93, I served as PD & afternoon drive at C-93 (WNPC-FM, Newport) where I retired from radio doing AM drive in November 2005.

Keep up the good work 101!!

Bill Beason

Where were you in 1980?

Ronald Reagan beat Jimmy Carter for the White House, in Ktown Bob Kesling exited radio for TV, and a new night club opened on Kingston Pike that played country music 24/7...it was called Sam Houston's!

Knoxville radio line ups...Summer 1980-

WOKI FM 100.3
6 Michael Henry Martin
10 Gary Adkins
12 Larry Mazzetti
3 Mike Beverly
7 Brother John
12 The Brothers

WNOX 990
6 Eddie Rogers
10 Phil Williams
2 Randy Miller
6 Scott Majors
10 Tom Michaels
2 James Maurice

WKGN Love 13
6 Jeff Winters
9 POA talk
10 Arch Bishop
2 Chuck Edwards
7 Chris Adams
12 Bernie Addison

WRJZ 620
6 CP&Walker
10 Bob Kagan
12 Adele
4 JJ Scott
7 Fred Story
12 Jeff Jarnigan

WHEL 1240
6 Ken McGavin/Bill Page
9 Win Maxwell
2 Bob Ogles
6 news
7 Mike Johnson
12 Larry King Show

WIMZ FM 103.5
6 Mike Beach
10 Keith Lambert
2 Kim Mayo
7 Dan
12 Carson Cooper

WIVK FM 107.7
6 Claude Tomlinson
10 Celeste
3 Ed Brantley
7 Joe Grant
12 Terry Womack

Where were you in '80? Send 101 an email at ktownradio@gmail.com !

Dave Foulk is back with another great story...here's more on Doc Johnston-

I also cut some radio teeth running the board for Doc Johnston. CP is right-on. Doc was not the easiest guy to work for. I do for control board work what the Boston Strangler did for door-to-door sales. Now, combine that with Doc's temper, and the results were some really colorful chewing out sessions. He could be a real tough person to please sometimes, but Doc also had another side that he would show sometimes. And I think he had a genuine relationship with his listeners.

The control board I ran was an old RCA BC6-A, tube type that got hotter than blue blazes. All of the CBS radio features were delay broadcast, and you had to remember when to roll the tape. For that, you had a Gra-Lab timer like the ones used in photo darkrooms. The delay broadcast programs were recorded on an old Magnecorder- a "Maggie" that Moses used to record his daily program.

Doc was a fantastic piano player, and he always started the program with the tune "Sunrise Serenade". I'm a musician of sorts myself, and I always like to warm up with some scales or exercises or something. Not Doc. He would come in, crack his knuckles, and start right on cue with the old "Woody Herman" song on that baby grand.

The spots were run on old Spotmaster cart machines, the kind that you had to lock in the pinch roller with a lever. Later, we graduated to some newer machines. Remember how the recording would have a bad place on it if you didn't watch the machine and cue past the splice before recording? The telephone coupler was a complex switch arrangement that made putting live telephone calls on the air next to impossible.

Later, I dee-jayed afternoon drive on WBIR. Doc would pre-record the General Shale 5:50 news before he went downstairs to do the WBIR TV news at 6PM. WBIR Radio ran the CBS World News Roundup at 6PM. I still believe that newscast is the best fifteen minutes of radio network news around.

Once, the legendary Lowell Thomas came to town and had to hook-up with the network to run his Lowell Thomas Report from Knoxville. That took some engineering set-up work. Thomas didn't write his own material, which disappointed me. It was dictated to someone at WBIR from the CBS newsroom in New York..possibly written by Mervin Block or one of his colleagues there. Today,. his script could have been e-mailed, and his newscast e-mailed right back to CBS. What a difference between 1976 and 2007!

Back to Doc- I was once told a story about how someone put a piece of steel re-bar across the piano strings of Doc's baby grand. One morning he came in, cracked his knuckles, and at the appointed second, he started his theme...and WHANG ! I was told it sounded more like a sitar than a piano. I never found out for sure who played that prank, but Don Lindsey, now the PR chief for Triple-A was also a Doc sidekick at WBIR, and might have some clues to their identity.

Ken McGavin (McWhorter) was a good boss and a good PD to work for at WBIR. He was even tempered, something that was a real asset in that job. Working for him was a pleasure. I also had the opportunity to work with Ken Johnson, one of the early voices of Knoxville radio from WATE.

Later, when I moved to WSB in Atlanta, I got a call from Anita- Doc's sister. She heard me on-the-air and called to see if I was the same David Foulk that had worked with her late brother in Knoxville. We had several pleasant phone conversations over the next few years.

I am forever thankful for the time I was able to spend at WBIR with the good folks who were there.