"I was shocked when a Christian Radio buddy of mine told me he Googled Disco Dick and got my picture and even the Disco Album of mine for sale on ebay for over $200.00. Then I go to your website and you are talking about me. Let me bring you up to date on whatever happened to Disco Dick Winstead. As you know I worked at WNOX and started working at the New Flanigan's nightly because I really enjoyed it and it really enhanced my popularity. After a Year they made me an offer to go National and open all their New Clubs across America. Nashville, Memphis, 4 in Calf. 3 in Philly. etc. WHAT A RIDE! Later in 1982 I was promoted to the Corp. Office in Miami Florida. Where I stayed until 1991. Since that time I was busy doing Voice Over work Producing Radio & TV commercials and generally just enjoying life. Today I have a syndicated Radio Program called "Music For His Glory" yes I hope to become a Pastor soon. My son and 4 grand Children live in Chattanooga and I have considered moving back to Tennessee but for now still living in South Florida and really enjoy doing my Christian Radio Program "Music For His Glory" check it out! If you have any questions I'll be happy to answer."

Your Radio Buddy

Dick Winstead (richard@musicforhisglory.com)

David Poole died on Tuesday at age 50 from a heart attack. He hosted Sirius XM's "The Morning Drive" NASCAR radio show...I was a daily listener.

As a racing fan I would read his blog and even shoot him an email occasionally...he always sent a reply.

May his memory be eternal...

101 heard from a couple of WATO veterans! Did you work at WATO?...send your photographs and memories!

George, you're right. So many people went through WATO over the years. That aircheck from Dennis brought back a lot of memories for me. Besides being a high school friend, he was my PD during my tenure at the Big 1290. We still play golf from time to time. I did every shift except afternoons. I started out doing evenings, then middays, then right before leaving to do morning news at U-102, I was doing mornings at WATO. It's very sad that the station isn't viable anymore. (Mike Clark)

What a hoot today when a friend of mine told me to check out the site and find an audio clip from 1979 at WATO. Wow...some time ago. Just wanted to say thanks for remembering me and keep up the great site. (Dennis Willard WECO FM101.3 Wartburg, Tn.)

WATO 1290 AM Oak Ridge has a long and rich history...101 was even the morning DJ there many moons ago. Here's a classic from WATO's Dennis Willard, 1979~



"This might date me- but Randy Miller was just a young whippersnapper when I would give him rides to-and-from the old WBIR Radio studios- same location as the television station on Hutchison Avenue. I thought he was a bright young man then. He has really had an outstanding career that's taken him far, far away from his home just off Broadway. I am proud of him." (Dave Foulk)

On September 3, 1979 WOKI FM-100 went "live"! The DJs were...

6-10 Michael Henry Martin
9-12 Gary Adkins
12-3 Larry Mazzetti
3-7 Mike Beverly
7-12 Brother John St John
12-6 The Brothers

Here's Program Director Gary Adkins~



Page 3~

Ktown great Randy Miller returns to WGN Chicago radio this week and will be on the air from 9a-noon Chicago time!

The 'World Famous' Roars!!!

"In 1974 Vic Rumore moved from WNPT in Tuscaloosa, ALA to manage WKGN. It was under his management the station went from Burkhardt Top 40 to Abrams AOR. Later, he was hired by Dick Broadcasting to take over WKDF A/F in Nashville. He was not there for the infamous Disco13 I was. I am wondering where he is and what's he doing now. When we worked together in Alabama, he did mornings and managed, I did afternoon drive and sales. It was Vic who brought me to WKGN in 1974 to do afternoon drive, and sell. But Dr. Al was doing mornings, Frank Erwin midday's and Mike Beach afternoons. Vic did not want to break up a wining combination, so I stayed in sales and did voice over spots. It was Vic Rumore that hung the title "The World Famous Tony Igar" on me. How that happened is another story, for another time. Today I am known as CAPTAIN TONY", a licensed charter boat captain and sailing instructor in San Diego, CA If anyone knows about Vic, let me know. It has been fun scrolling through the older posts in the ktown101 blog. So many people I worked with, and have such fond memories of." (Tony Igar)

Here's another taste of Disco 13...Randy Miller, Suitcase Simpson, and Chuck Edwards from September 1979~

Hey George! Heckuva lineup I had at 'KGN.

The day Kerry Lambert resigned to launch WIMZ, I drove over to Alcoa Highway and asked for an audience with the new GM, Ted DelaCourt. Having nothing to lose at the time, I told Ted that he would never make a penny playing disco. He agreed. When I outlined a plan to change to an Adult Contemporary format, he hired me on the spot as PD and I moved into my office the same afternoon.

Trouble is, owner Neighborhood Communications in Richmond didn't buy it. They were a theatre business. Kent Burkhart had told them that disco was the way to the Promised Land and that he was The Messiah. Home office dictated we stick with disco, so we battled for a few months with Kent and home office. Burkhart-Abrams was finally given the pink slip and we made the switch.

Jim Byrd came to WKGN with the promise that we would be A/C within 30 days. He had to play that crap for about 3 months before we made the switch. He didn't speak to me for years afterward.

Sadly, WKGN was already over the hill and bathing in the sunset. The 1340 signal no longer covered a significant part of the market and FM was starting to kick butt by 1979. Neighborhood was a neophyte in the radio business and just couldn't grasp it. Everyone was disenchanted for one reason or another, so one by one we sauntered off to live the rest of our lives.

The great on-air staff you named doubled the 12+ ratings in one book - .7 to 1.4. A small but satisfying triumph. : )

Within a year or so, George Mooney's U-102 swept in like a hurricane with a great AC format. U-102 made 5 Class C FM's. The great AM stations -WNOX, WKGN, WRJZ, WBIR, WROL - were dead as market leaders. But look what great histories they left behind!

Keep up the good work!

Your friend, Bill Miller (I Am Still Suitcase Simpson)

The short life and times of Disco 13...

WKGN, "The Famous 1340" for decades, became "Disco 13" in late '78. The staff at that time included John (morning DJ), Stuart Clark, Keith Lambert, Bob Hamilton, and Jim Donovan.

In late January '79 Randy Miller joined the team and took over 7p-12 from Bob Hamilton, who went part time. Win Maxwell was the station's News Director and Frank Greene was a weekender.

By August Keith Lambert was preparing to crank up Rock 104 and he was replaced at Disco 13 by Suitcase Simpson, the new PD.

In September Randy Miller ascended to morning drive and was on his way to the big leagues, Suitcase also added Jim Byrd to afternoons and Chuck Edwards at night.

Enter November and Mike Beach to mornings as Randy Miller left for WNOX.

Here was the line up~
6-10 Mike Beach
10-12 Jim Donovan
12-3 Suitcase Simpson
3-7 Jim Byrd
7-12 Chuck Edwards
12-6 Ed Knight

On December 1 '79 "Disco 13" was dead, the station switched formats to adult contemporary and opened with a "Gold Rush" weekend!

"One of my greatest fears in life was that someone had a "Disco 13" air check with my name on it. Please don't tell my mama." Bill Miller (I Am Still Suitcase Simpson)

We continue to listen to Disco 13, here is Keith Brunson aka Stuart Clark!

Happy Tax Day! Suitcase mentioned his time at WKGN, here he is in 1979 at Disco 13~



Some 101 contributors wrote in to say happy birthday to Kerry Lambert...

"When we changed 1340 WKGN from Kent Burkhart Top 40 to Lee Abrams' first AM AOR Superstars station in the late summer of 1976, Kerry "Keith" Lambert was a holdover (with Mike "Robin" Beck) from the old format. That was my first job as a PD, and Kerry was just a kid doing overnights. I'm happy to say we are still in touch after more than 30 years, which doesn't always happen in this business. Kerry has done everything from jock to PD to OM to GM to account executive, etc., and has always done well. He is just a great radio guy. Happy Birthday and God Bless, Lambo!" (Alan Sneed-o)

"I was one of the original ROCK 104 jocks (mid-days) -- I went by the air name of David. For whatever reason, I wasn't too well regarded by the original program director. I was eased out by this guy and made the decision to return to the Univ. of TN for additional study. Then, that program director was eased out himself! Soon thereafter, Kerry was named the program director. He must have liked me to some extent....he left a note in the control room that said "if anybody sees Larry, tell him he's got a job again!" I ended up staying at the station in some form or fashion for 5 more years." (Larry Solomon)

Suitcase Simpson tells us about Fleetwood Gruver...

"Hi George! I joined the great WFLI, a 50,000 watt Top 40 mother in Chattanooga, when I was 18. The year was 1968. Stayed there a few years before I grew tired of 30 ARB shares, migrated, and eventually wound up in Knoxville - a second home of my childhood. I first met Fleetwood Gruver (pretty sure it's his real name) when his buddy Jimmy Byrd joined WFLI. Fleetwood came around WFLI with Jimmy and hung out some. Fleetwood and I were just shake-and-howdy partners, but I remember hearing his God-like but untrained voice on WNOX in later years. Fleetwood developed into a radio heavyweight and held some high positions in radio's major markets (including WQXI in Atlanta) and I think as GM at some Jefferson-Pilot stations. I know he was on the air in Orlando, Louisville, etc. Not sure where he is today, but he might well be in a radio management position somewhere. Unless he writes in to say otherwise, Fleetwood was from the Chattanooga area - probably a Rossville, GA boy like Jimmy Byrd. Rossville is Chattanooga, except for the official state line running down a slab of asphalt. Jimmy Byrd wound up in Kansas City radio for many years before his sudden death in the early 2000's. Jimmy did mid-days at WKGN for a brief stint around 1980 when I was PD in the after-glow days of the great WKGN. Who needs a rock n' roll air name when your real name is Fleetwood Gruver? " Your friend, Bill Miller (I Am Still Suitcase Simpson).

"Hey George, I Googled Fleetwood after sending you the last email. He's listed as PD at WHTQ in Orlando. Natural follow up for you, compadre." (Suitcase)

Page 3~

Happy Birthday wishes to Kerry Lambert! If you have a fun Kerry story, send our way!

Today we continue our look back at WIMZ, the early days!

The station's birth was in August 1979, the first PD was Roger Hyman from WKDF Nashville...the DJs were Keith, Roger, Carson, Pam, Frank, Jim, and Dave.

Things evolved quickly and by early 1980 Keith Lambert had been named PD and Kim Mayo was on the air as midday jock!

The first ARB book, Oct/Nov '79 showed the new station in 7th place in the market with a 6.3%.

In February '80 Mike Beach took over morning drive on "Rock 104", a spot he held at many and various times over the next several years...with the Beachman on board, Lambert moved to middays, Mayo became afternoon driver, Dan was the night DJ and Carson Cooper held the all night spot.

New and not willing to remain idle, the station added Dave Elrod to the Beach morning show beginning in May '80...also that month the call letters were changed to WIMZ and the logo "Crank it Up" debuted!

FLASH- Mike Beach exits WIMZ for mornings at KBEQ-FM Kansas City (July 1980). Dave Elrod took over mornings...

The April/May '80 ARB showed WIMZ at a 6.1% share...

In September Rick Kirk became the morning DJ and was soon joined by Frank Howell.

On December 8, 1980 John Lennon was murdered in New York City.

FLASH DEUX- Mike Beach returns to Ktown and morning drive at WIMZ, Rick Kirk goes back to WRJZ. (late December)

Here's Keith Lambert from August 1979 shortly after Rock 104 signed on the air-

Happy "Good Friday" from 101...

It was great hearing from WIMZ's Stryker yesterday...and hard to believe that WIMZ has now been around for 30 years!

Some incredible talent has been heard on 103.5 thru the years...Keith Lambert, Mike Beach, Phil Williams, Colvin Idol, Kim Mayo, Carson Cooper, Billy Kidd...and the list goes on.

Quite often folks talk about the beginning of WIMZ, how the last country song was sloooooowed down and then we heard Stairway to Heaven. 101 air checked the historic moment, enjoy~





Page 3~

Happy Birthday wishes to one of our all time favorites...Smokey Burns from WKGN. Oh, and he made it very big in cities like Nashville, Charlotte and Chicago as Robert Murphy! (PS...it's also my wifey's birthday---foto!)

Back in '79 WBIR-FM was playing country music. In August of that year the station changed formats and became an AOR station. The new station was known as WBIR-FM "We Believe In Rock"

Here are some names from the early days of the AOR format...Keith Lambert, Carson Cooper, Mike Beach, and Kim Mayo!

"Hello! I'm Kev, the newest in a long line of DJs at 103.5 WIMZ. As part of our 30th anniversary celebration, I have been charged with the task of searching out and contacting all (or as many as possible) previous DJs from the station.

Your site has been a good source of information for me thus far, and I was wondering if I could get additional assistance from you in contacting these people. Any information you or your viewers have would be greatly appreciated. Names, e-mail addresses, phone numbers, or any leads you can provide will be a great help.

Please feel free to e-mail me whatever you've got to kev@wimz.com . Thanks!"

Kevin "Stryker" Summitt
air talent, promotions 103.5 WIMZ /WNFZ 94.3 the X
South Central Media

101 heard from Walker Johnson after our b'day wishes, here's part of his email...

"I kinda figure my life (age wise) as to which station I was with at what age. I was 22 in 1970 and started the radio ride at WGAP. In '73 I was just about 25 and working at WKGN. I turned 27 in 1975 and replaced Mike Beach at WETE. I think he came over to 'KGN but I would not make book on it. I hit the ripe old age of 28 in 1976 and Basic Media Limited bought out Hall Broadcasting and turned WETE into WRJZ. The plan was to fire all of us but CP talked them into putting the two of us in the morning. I remember he had at 10 in the morning on WETE and I had an 8 in the afternoon. First book for WRJZ we pulled an 18, knocking off all the morning shows except Claude at WIVK. Next book we nailed the Cat to the wall. Are you bored yet? WRJZ was being sold and the new owner was being told to go country by our...GM! Lets just say his nick name was SNAKE and he LIKED IT! It was 1980 and I had just turned 32 when my contract was up and I and ran over to WIVK, CP came when his was up. James A. Dick built his AM station around us and changed the calls to WHIG. I know, 'bout as stupid a set of letters ever used. Anyway we went on the air with the same format as the old WRJZ. Johnny Pirkle was sick of us beating his station so he had a few friends call up Bobby Denton to complain. Before the first month was gone we were playing country music and our fans from WRJZ were all sick! They would call to say they tried to turn the station OFF when the music came on and then get back to us when we talked! At the ripe old age of 37 (1985) my father and I bought a radio station. OK, HE bought 50% and I bought 1%. We took WEAG in Alcoa, (a very old big band station) rock, bought a restored 1969 Caddy hearse and had more fun that you can imagine! The late Jim Donavon was my morning man, Becky Lynn (of the old WIMZ and now a radio star in Arizona) did middays, the late GREAT Ernie Baker was News Director and none other than Ted Ousley (Gunner on WIVK today) did afternoons. Dad and I sold the station WMDR (My wife told me the calls said "Walker Makes Denise Rich" but after a year she kind of dropped that thought) in 1989 and I went full time with U 102 as I turned 41. More stations followed after that and some TV work but after U 102 the "BIG" money was done and with the exception of a few places that died either while I was there or just after I left, that was IT for radio! Turning 61 is outstanding IF you still have the mind of an 8 year old, yep I qualify big time there."

Happy Birthday wishes to Walker Johnson!!!

Walker ruled the Ktown airwaves for decades...as a newsman at WKGN, to afternoon drive at WETE, to a long term ride with Curtis Parham as CP and Walker at WRJZ, WIVK, and WMYU...and let's not forget "The Doctor" WMDR in Maryville


Here is a classic aircheck from WRJZ~

If you've got WJ stories...send them our way to 101 at KtownRadio@gmail.com

101 received this email, can you answer the questions?

"Hello, I remember as a kid I listened to WNOX because it was the best rock station in Knoxville, and I was wondering if you could tell me what ever happened to 2 of the DJ's that used to work there. One was Fleetwood Groover (had to be his air name, or his mom should be slapped) and there was Disco Dick Winstead. I remember seeing something about Dick Winstead, but I have yet to hear anything about Fleetwood Groover. In fact, most of the time I get looked at like I'm crazy because nobody remembers Fleetwood Groover -You gotta help me, I know he existed...Thank you!" (Chris Galyon)

Many readers inquire about planning a Ktown DJ reunion, back in '86 WMYU U-102 hosted a reunion at the Hyatt House. Here's Gary Adkins discussing "The Brothers"...