The Ron Ashburn air check recently shared was a wonderful trip to an earlier time. Mr. Ashburn was one of the nicest people I ever met. I would occasionally see him in the Krystal, located on North Broadway just down from the WBIR studios. He was a voracious listener and watcher of Knoxville radio and TN programming. And even though he was a competitor, he always had a kind word about some report, TV news story, or broadcast I had done. Many may not know that Ashburn was a nationally recognized radio talent. In the 1960’s, he could be heard on dozens of national patent medicine, detergent, clothing, and chain retail store ads. While he was frail in stature, his talent and warm personality contributed significantly to the Knoxville radio scene. This town owes a lot to Ron, and to UT’s Herb Howard…we’re all much better because they came our way.
Art Miller