The era of the overnight DJ is almost in our rear view mirror, except for a few exceptions and several syndicated shows. But back in the 70's some great sounding jocks ruled the late night air waves in Ktown. Here's WKGN's Jerry Steel saying goodbye~

Hello George! Just catching up on 101 and ran across the reference to the clothing store for transvestites in Vestal. Shouldn't that have been for "TransVestalites?" Tell Dave Foulk I found the 65 pounds that he lost. I was wondering who they belonged to. They sure don’t fit me well. I didn’t know Ron Ashburn, but I listened to him for years growing up and later when I moved to K-town to work in radio. Loved his delivery, even the long pauses in his later years. I often wondered if he’d gone out for a smoke between the “W” and the “N” of “WNOX News." I’ve enjoyed the comments from those who knew Ron. Wish I’d had the opportunity to work with him. (Bill “I Am Still Suitcase Simpson” Miller)

Jim "Iron Man" Humphries just retired from the Railroad and owns the very popular Jimmy's Original Southern Pub on Tazewell Pike at Broadway behind Sun Trust Bank. He has a lot of Knoxville history and his radio days stuff on the walls...Regards~ (Ben Humphries, his brother)


101's Audio Vault features Mike Beach at the 1986 DJ reunion, hosted by U-102~

Remembering "Toddzilla"...

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- Former radio personality and Star 102.1 DJ William "Toddzilla" Hubbard has passed away at 47. Hubbard was a DJ at Star 102.1 for more than a decade until he was forced to retire about a year ago due to health complications. Hubbard suffered from a genetic disease called Alpha-1. It results in low levels or no levels of a protein in the blood. Alpha-1 can cause severe lung or liver disease. A memorial service will be held in Texas and Star 102.1 will play segments of his shows every hour on Tuesday.

Please visit the Notice for William Todd "Toddzilla" Hubbard.

http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?I=LS000123327823X

If you have "Toddzilla" memories that you would like to share, please email 101.

Thanks to Frank Murphy, Dave Foulk and Jean Ash for providing the above info...

Update from Frank Murphy...

Hi George,

Thanks for the nice entry about Toddzilla.

The station has updated its website for tomorrow’s tribute. There are pictures and a place for people to leave comments.

http://www.star1021fm.com/

http://www.star1021fm.com/StarDJs/InMemoryofToddzilla/tabid/6069/Default.aspx

We’ll be running some fun audio clips of ‘Zilla every hour tomorrow.

All the best,

Frank

Click here to go to his website!

Happy Birthday wishes to long time Dick Broadcasting executive and 101's childhood pal Jamey Kerr. Jamey joined WIVK in 1979 and relocated to Greensboro with Allen Dick many moons ago. PS- No, this is not the big one, that's next year!!! The DBC stations in G'boro are WKRR and WKZL.

Happy weekend! Chip Emerson checked in with a fun CP story~

George, seeing the info on CP's radio history brought back a nice memory he and I still laugh about. Back in the early 70's I owned a pool hall on the strip called "Guys and Dolls" which is now the location of the lower dining room at The Copper Cellar. Well guess who walks in the door as a salesperson for WBIR Radio --- our old friend CP. Needless to say, I am sure the management had told him that if he wanted to stay with the station he had to sell enough advertising to justify his salary. At any rate, we became good friends and throughout our careers with radio, TV and the ad agency, CP has been a constant for excellent production, in fact he still does work for me down here in Atlanta. One thing is for certain, he sucked as a salesperson -- but he made a great DJ!

Radio dial twisting 21st century style is in vogue, except its now done by way of audio streaming on the www. 101 enjoys tuning in to the Hallerin Hilton Hill show when he signs on the air at 530a daily on WNOX and reminds us that "today is a blank canvas...so go paint yourself a Picasso!"

Here's a classic moment of HHH from 1993~



Send us your photographs and memories, 101 sees alot of radio fotos on FaceBook and would love some of your action shots!

Eddie Beacon and Curtis Parham

101 had the pleasure of doing a radio show with Curtis Parham recently. CP talked us thru his career~

CP got his on air start while in high school at WEPG South Pittsburg TN. From there CP migrated to UT and WUOT. Jumping into Ktown's commercial broadcast world, he joined WETE 620...then like most DJs CP decided to change markets and he landed at WAPI Birmingham. With his contract up at WAPI and longing for Big Orange Country, CP returned to Ktown and WETE, which morphed into WRJZ. Next CP landed at WIVK before wrapping up his on air career at WMYU U-102.

Where have you DJ'd?

Here's a fun promo for the WRJZ Gold Digger basketball team~

Thanks to Scott Black for sending 101 this classic WMDR ad...

Page 3~

101 asked Bob Thomas about Jake's upcoming TV schedule...

Set your Tivos and DVR's! Jake will guest star on LIE TO ME at 9pm, tonight on FOX after American Idol.

And mark your calendar for the other upcoming shows Jake will be guest starring on:

Jan 29 Thursday-ELEVENTH HOUR (Episode title: Eternal) on CBS @ 10pm
Feb 9 Monday-HOUSE (Episode: Unfaithful) on FOX @ 9pm
March 16 Monday-TRUST ME on TNT @ 10pm
Late March-RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (Episode: Twice) on CBS

President Barack Obama

Today is a day of history, hope and unity!!!

Bob Thomas and Dave Young told me about this website. I love coming here and checking it out. Because we were only there from 1991-1997, I don't know if we earned the right to be a part of Knoxville's radio legacy, but we did enjoy our time at WIVK. (Darren Wilhite)

Happy weekend! 101 hopes you are surviving our coldest weather in 5 years, things are certainly on fire here at 101 as we continue to receive wonderful photographs and memories from Ktown greats. 101 has barely scratched the surface of the 1960's so it's exciting today to hear from Allen Dennis~

I worked at WNOX in late '63 and early '64. I was fired when the sales manager...Pete Dryer...was p****d off because I wouldn't write and produce a spot for him. This was after working for 10 hours that day...I told him I would come in early and complete the task...Stan Hagen...then manager...fired me the next day. I called WKGN and was told that George Mooney (owner) would never hire someone from WNOX. Stan Hagen called Mooney at his home at 11pm the next day and said he had a contract with me and if he (George) hired me he would sue...well that did it...George told his PD to hire me at any cost. I HAD signed a contract BUT I was only 19 when I signed it. In Tennessee you had to be 21. From that day George was a friend. I worked for him a number of times...later at WKGN and when I told him WMAK in Nashville was for sale he bid on it...I had worked at WMAK when I was 17 and I knew they were hind tit to WKDA...well George bought WMAK. I left WKGN just in time. WIVK was cumin' on strong. WIVK was so-so until FM became of age. At that point it was all over. WIVK is a great radio station...Not because of country music but because of IMAGE. If people know you're a friend they will say they listen...whether they do or not. I have worked everywhere from Chicago, Oklahoma City, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Orlando, Birmingham, Chattanooga(my home town) and several other cities and networks! But one of my favorites has got to be Knoxville. God bless you all!

Page 3~

Jon Gruden is out as the coach at Tampa Bay, I guess Monte Kiffin's move to UT makes more sense than ever now...

Jeff Hawkins lives in Orlando and we see each other periodically! Check out Jeff's link and also find him on Facebook!

Jeff used a few names while in Knoxville as a DJ! Here's a sampling~

101 jumps into the inbox today...

The funny thing about Helen's store in Vestal was the way she spelled "transvestites." On her sign it was spelled "transvites". (Tom Jester)

Hey Smoke.....YOUR Dave Young told me about this place in Vestal and asked if I had checked it out. Due to the fact that I was 6' 5 and 220 when I worked at WKGN I really didn't think they would have a THING to fit me so only drove past it...VERY FAST! I always thought Uncle Bob Bob used to shop there but I never could get "Nard" to confirm it. Truth is I do believe there was a store like this and yep I think it was in Vestal but I can't remember just where it was. If you lived South (I kinda remember going over to your house once) then you would have gone through that area in the early morning hours. Back then that was the safest time to travel those particular streets! (Walker J)

Have you ever tried to find a photo of “anyone” in the WNOX control room? IF I recall it was because they didn’t want anyone from the other stations to see their Graylab darkroom timers. I visited Stan Smith (J. Worthington Smith) while he was on air many times. I kept in touch after he moved to Greenville SC. I lost track of him after a few years. I have so many Terry Womack stories...but I hesitate...I will send a photo in a couple of weeks though! (500 Mega Watt)

Reading about the window shooting at WNOX reminded me of another story – one I have to be careful about. In the mid 1970s there were some times when WNOX was knocked off the air due to a power failure at the transmitter site. The cause was due to an unknown person or persons discovering that the WNOX transmitter was supplied power from a nearby utility pole, with electricity running directly into a manual disconnect switch – which was located OUTSIDE the transmitter building. Apparently all one had to do was pull the switch and off went the transmitter – back-up power apparently did not work. Some time later NOX installed a large fence around the entire transmitter building. Rumor has it that an employee of a competing station was the culprit. (500 Mega Watt)

Coming soon- Allen Dennis, Wilhite and Wall, and more!

Sign reads, "Helen's Place - New and Used Clothing
for Men, Women, Children and Transvestite"

Another something for a slow news day, as it is barely radio related.

When I moved to Knoxville in 1974 and settled into a house way out the Chapman Highway, I quickly discovered there was no way to get to the WKGN studios on the Alcoa Highway except by driving all the way back into the city, or by cutting through the mountains on roads that even angels feared to tread. I chose the latter, and at 4:30 am, it was just me (and occasionally Robert Mitchum) on the road. And every day, I passed this tiny store that advertised "clothing for transvestites", rather avant guard for East Tennessee at that time. I was afraid to go in, but did stop on my way home to take a photo. Does anybody remember this place, or what the hell was going on there? Robert Murphy (fka Smokey Burns)

101 has been featuring info on morning DJs lately. Eddy Roy was a Ktown mainstay in the am for decades, starting with his Roy in the Morning show on WNOX 990 in the mid 70's. Here's Eddy on Q104 (Do you remember the call letters?) from 1993~



101 sends out posting reminders, would you like to add your address or opt out? Send an email to 101 at KtownRadio@gmail.com.

The Great Race...

Claude the Cat did have some morning drive competition in the late 70's in the names of "CP and Walker" on WRJZ...

Here are Arbitron numbers from 1977-1980, 6-10am M-F total persons 12+...

Keep in mind that WIVK AM and FM simulcast The Great Day Show with Claude while WRJZ was a 5k AM station...

April/May 1977~
WIVK FM-14.0 AM-9.1
WRJZ- 17.9

April/May 1978~
WIVK FM-14.5 AM-9.7
WRJZ- 18.4

April/May 1979~
WIVK FM-18.8 AM-10.1
WRJZ- 19.0

April/May 1980~
WIVK FM-21.1 AM-8.9
WRJZ- 15.0

PS~ In 1982 WIVK split the AM and FM signal in the morning...Claude remained on 107.7, the new team on AM 850...CP and Walker!

During its storied history WIVK has only had a hand full of morning teams. Claude Tomlinson, THE Ktown legend, ruled AM drive from 1972 until he retired in the early 90's. His replacement was a morning duo known as Wilhite and Wall~



Remember Becky Lynn? Becky worked in Ktown in the 80's at WIVK, WMDR, and WIMZ. She is cohosting a new morning show in Phoenix called Tim and Willy. Her program streams live daily on the net from 5a-9 MST at KMLE.

101 took this foto of Frank Murphy and Gretchen, DJs at Star 102.1. Send 101 your photographs and memories!

101's Audio Vault travels to 1993. WOKI FM 100 was playing country music! Here's Ray Edwards~

Happy Thursday from 101...join our new Facebook group, search for Knoxville Radio History 101!

101 received several emails about the WIVK 860 sheet...best I recall I was given a copy of a copy of the original when I worked at WIVK, no word if the original still exists. The station signed on the air in 1953 and that programming list has to be from the very early days! Gotta love Ktown Radio history!


Good one George. Where did you get the program sheets? Acey Boy was the first black radio guy in K-town. I remember listening to him back home in Glen Mary. Claude also did a show called Ebony and Ivory later in the 50's and early 60's. (Your Dave Young)

ONE TIME, I WAS DOING BOARD DUTY AT WIVK, DURING THE DAY TIME. USUALLY MY SHOW RAN FROM 7 UNTIL MIDNIGHT, BUT FOR AWHILE, I DID THE DAY TIME SLOT AND FILLED IN FROM TIME TO TIME. HOWEVER, I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE ARCHIE CAMPBELL VISIT THE STUDIO. WHILE THERE, ARCHIE SAID, "LET ME DO YOU SOME ID'S..THEN HE RECORDED SEVERAL, EACH TIME CHANGING THE THEME WITH YOU ARE LISTENING TO MY BROTHER..RONNIE CAMPBELL..THE NEXT ONE WOULD SAY..YOU ARE LISTENING TO MY UNCLE..OR MY DADDY OR COUSIN..IT HAD EVERYONE SO CONFUSED AND IT WAS A GREAT TIME IN MY CAREER AT WIVK. (RONNIE CAMPBELL)

Coming soon~ WIVK jingle from 1961 that 101 received from Chris Huff!

101 digs way back into the Ktown archives today and features a very early program sheet from WIVK 860...Ken Russell, Claude Tomlinson (Little Alf), Big Jim Hess, Laurie June, Cas Walker, The Mulls, Archie Campbell, and Acey Boy! WOW!!!

Knoxville radio history is being made everyday. Last week 101 visited Frank Murphy from the Star 102.1 morning show. Frank showed me all of today's modern radio equipment...and to think, back in the day we use to cue up our 45 records! Frank has a great blog too!

From the 101 Audio Vault...Back in 1986 U-102 hosted a DJ reunion. Here's Kim Mayo from WIMZ~

101 had a ton of fun on the air Friday on WKTI 1040 with Eddie Beacon and CP (Curtis Parham). The two hour program reairs all weekend at Voice South.

From the 101 in box, here's Mike Clark~

It was great hearing POA's aircheck. I worked with him at WEZK for a time in the mid 70's. In addition to having great pipes, he was quite a character! The Mike Beach aircheck also brought back a memory or two. I learned a whole lot from the Beachman in '75 at that building on Alcoa Highway. I was doing an internship there at the time, and they had a great on-air lineup: Dr. Al Adams, Frank Erwin, Mike Beach, Scott Sams, Coyote Smith, Kerry Lambert, and Joe Anderson doing news.

"GREEK, IT'S SWANG....CP IS GONNA BE ON THE SHOW FRIDAY WITH ME....10AM TILL NOON...WKTI..1040 KNOX....AND...VOICESOUTH.COM ON THA INTERNET ...CALL IN AT 865-656-1040"

PS- 101 will be in the studio with my olde pal Eddie Beacon, so please listen. What a great way to start 2009!

Happy 2009!!!

101 wishes you a happy and healthy new year!