"I worked with Ed for many years, and find it impossible to go just about anywhere in East Tennessee without thinking of him. My years in a frog suit were spent with Ed at remote broadcasts; I’ll never be able to go to Morristown without feeling like Ed should be in the vehicle with me! And I have always held that Ed Brantley is the only jock who looks just like (and as good as) he sounds! Frankly, Ed, I’m glad you’re out of the ugly business that radio has become—and I know you’ll do well in any endeavor! Much love to you, Ed!" (Margy Ragsdale)
"I remember the "Sound Off" program every Sunday morning, I think most everyone including those who weren't constant WIVK listeners tuned in for their "live and local" town hall format. I recall a particular Sunday around 1976 when my dad's name was mentioned during their news updates. I was riding with him on Chapman Hwy, the Saturday night before on his bulk mail route when one of a pair a motorcycles riders, who were too confident in traffic rear ended a car in front of the old Chapman hwy drive-in theater. It was the first and hopefully the last time I saw a person on fire. My dad reacted in a calm manner and pulled the fire extinguisher from the truck as the motorcyclist was rolling on the ground engulfed in flames. My dad sprayed as much as he could to eliminate what he could of the obviously terrified biker. After the accident. I didn't recall much until the next morning when the host and the other news person mentioned my dad's name in a hero-like manner. I felt a sense of pride during those moments and unfortunately, the rider died 2 weeks later of massive burns and other injuries. But getting back to live and local person-to-person radio--those were the days when a host could connect to the listeners. Maybe Ed and Mike Hammond recall that Sunday. I moved back to WA State and the closest we have to that type of programming is Seattle's KOMO, locally owned and does a great job of 'neighbor to neighbor' coverage when disaster strikes by taking phone calls. I don't know the answer to reclaiming radio for local communities. Perhaps the typing here behind the keyboard has replaced how it was." (Chris Stubblefield)
"Ed Brantley's kindness extended beyond WIVK in 1992 to a relative media newcomer when I stopped by the radio station, then located on Bearden Hill. I had launched a sideline business the year before producing corporate marketing presentations, in order to enhance my income working as sports producer/reporter at WBIR-TV. On this particular day, I landed a potential client interested in showcasing on video the mountain resort she managed. However -before signing a contract - she was adamant that the narrator had to be her favorite WIVK announcer. After checking in with the Frog Station receptionist, I made my way upstairs to Ed's office. I barely had my pitch started inside his glass-enclosed workspace when he agreed to voice the presentation. I quickly jumped to the bottom line and said I'd pay him his going rate, but Ed brushed aside my offer, saying he'd be happy to help me in my new business venture. With this agreement in hand, I closed the sale with the resort manager. She received a terrific marketing piece, complete with her talented, sentimental choice narrating the presentation. I later learned this considerate gesture was typical of Ed's generosity. Thanks again, Ed!" (Gary Loe)