Friday, June 19, 2015

101 heard from Bob Catron~

"I was looking for an old workmate at WIVK, Ronnie Campbell. In the past could never find a thread. Found this today. I always wondered where life took him. Ronnie did the evening show from 7 to midnight for a while, relieving Bobby Denton. This was before Jimmy Vineyard took that slot upon Ronnie's leaving. Nice, quiet man who enjoyed doing his 'Big Music' hour from 11pm to midnight, when he slowed down the pace and played the likes of Ray Price, who Ronnie referred to as "The Old Smoothie". Sorry we didn't cross paths again years ago...rest in peace, Ron."

The Liberty Obit-

Ronnie Harold Campbell, 70, died Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at Alive Hospice in Nashville, Tennessee.  Born in Belton, South Carolina he was a son of the late Harold E. and Sara Lollis Campbell. Ronnie graduated from Richmond Academy in Augusta, Georgia. He was currently the Broadcast Information Officer for the Tennessee House of Representatives. 

Ron's love for radio began at an early age when he would listen to a little Philco radio as a young boy at his home in Anderson County, SC. As a teenager, he kept his love for radio. He began his career in radio by filing records for WVVQ in Augusta, GA.  With his great radio voice he didn't file records for long.  He was quickly hired as a radio announcer. He moved on to WMSJ (now WRGS) in Sylvia, NC and then to WJES in Johnston, SC. From there he moved to Taylorsville, NC where he announced for WTLK for many years.

In the late 1960's and early 70's he was announcer from 7 to midnight at WIVK in Knoxville, TN. He was also master of ceremonies for the WIVK Shindig Shows. When Ron left WIVK, he went to Waynesboro, TN with the Grand Ole' Opry star, the late Ernie Ashworth, in 1980.  In 1988 he went to work for the Tennessee House of Representatives as Broadcast Information Officer where he was still employed. He continued his work with radio by sending out news reports to radio stations throughout Tennessee.

For the past 19 years Ron has hosted the "Old Time Gospel Singing" TV Show out of Nashville and has hosted numerous live gospel and country music shows.  He has also written a book about his early childhood years growing in Upstate SC called "The Old County: Another Place, Another Time.

Ron was inducted into the Rockabilly DJ Hall of Fame, located in Jackson, TN. He was also given an honorary doctorate for music evangelism and a doctorate of sacred music from Emmanuel Baptist University in York, PA.  He was also honored by the Tennessee House of Representatives with a house resolution for accomplishments in the industry. Music City Gospel Showcase honored Ron with the Pioneer Award for Gospel Music.


Page 3~

To err is human...the previous 101 Audio Vault that we ID'd as Jack Ryan in not Jack, any idea who it might be, the air check is from early '87 on WIVK!