December 6, 2009
Hello there,
I noted you have not listed the unfortunate passing of my wonderful late husband, WBTV reporter Ken Alvord. He was a reporter for a number of years in the 'sixties before moving up to New York on a CBS News Fellowship in (I think) 1970. Kenny passed away November 11, 1990. Ken and I met while we were both working for NBC News in New York in 1972 but I heard great stories of his time in Charlotte and how much he loved working there. I also note the passing of his dear friend Ben Waters. I had not known.
Coincidentally, our son Scott Alvord (age 28) is dating a girl from Charlotte, and visited her family over Thanksgiving. It was his first trip to North Carolina and they drove past WBTV in honor of his dad.
With warm regards,
—Lynn Flaster (Alvord)
Westport, CT |
October 31, 2009
I read Tom Camp's recollection of Lewis Van Leuven on your BT Memories site with great interest. As the article states, Lewis was a paratrooper ... with E Company, 508th PIR, in fact, and he was wounded on June 8th, two days after D-Day.
Lewis is honored on our website with entries for his Purple Heart as well as his "Final Jump," as we term it. That entry now has a link to Lewis' story on your site and it will be read by many men of the 508th with great interest and feeling.
If it is possible to get in touch with Mr. Camp, I would greatly appreciate it.
—Richard J. O’Donnell
Webmaster & National Chairman
Family & Friends of the 508th PIR Association
www.508PIR.org |
October 29, 2009
Reno -
I had no idea that you had such a sense of humor - or that you were such an organ player. Why have you kept your 'candle under a bushel?' - at least from me? I am now truly a fan.
I was looking around the internet trying to determine the name of the men's store in Downtown Charlotte - across from the S&W Cafeteria on West Trade Street when I found the website "BT Memories." That is truly a great website. I have spent way too much time listening to the recording on that website - I especially (as an old 'farm boy' who shoveled a lot of manure and drove the manure spreader over many a field) have enjoyed the 'Grady Cole' advertisement for the 'manure loader.' I have also sent a link to this site to a number of other old 'farm boys' in my acquaintance.
Of course I grew up with WBT and then WBTV when television finally came to Caroleen - and to Cliffside. I clearly remember standing on the sidewalk in Forest City watching the television in the window of the furniture store up there. I also remember that as part of my job as a 'somewhat' delivery boy for the Lowe's Furniture Store that I climbed on many roofs in Cliffside to install tv antenna. [TV reception was especially difficult for some of the houses down on the river side of the road going to Boiling Springs. Charles Robins would watch the tv in the house and I would maneuver the antenna around to get the best WBTV signall possible - WBTV was the only television station signal available in Caroleen and Cliffside at that time.]
Thanks for the memories. If there are any other 'hidden' websites how about clueing me in to them.
By the way I did find the name of the men's store. It was Ed Mellon's Clothing. It was detailed in the story Jack Burney "Downtown Charlotte in the '40s"
I graduated from Caroleen Elementary School in a brand new blue suit - the very first suit I ever had - that my Dad purchased for me at Ed Mellon's Store.
—Leon Neal
Raleigh, NC |
October 25, 2009
I discovered your fabulous web site BT Memories today and it brought back a treasure trove of memories.
I used to own a trucking company in Charlotte and would go out with my drivers to various places between Maine and Miami and one of the great treats WBT offered us was Larry James on the overnight Carolina Country Show.
Larry had a character on the show named Monroe Slump who reminded me of a cross between Festus on Gunsmoke and that guy who sang Please Mr. Custer. I know it was Larry doing the voice but it sure sounded like two people.
I talked to the then Program Director Andy Bickel and he revealed the secret that Monroe was on tape and that was how their conversations overlapped. Andy confided to me that Larry probably had the most entertaining show on WBT but that he was so shy in person. Larry came on after the great Henry Boggan and sometimes Henry would hang around and cut up with Larry and it was such a treat.
I was watching the Country Music Association Awards one night in 1978 because I knew Larry had been nominated for an award. Sure enough Johnny Cash announced his name Larry James WBT Charlotte! He was the 1978 Deejay Of The Year.
Many of us were so full of pride that someone from our city could win such a prestigious award. A day or two later on the front page of the Charlotte Observer was Larry, or LJ as Monroe called him, thumbing through a stack of 45s. I spent some enjoyable nights listening to Hello Henry then Larry James. When LJ lost his radio voice because a doctor goofed during vocal cord surgery it broke my heart and the hearts of my workers.
He left for parts unknown and nobody that followed him ever gave us that kind of entertainment. I wish I knew if Larry did well after leaving WBT.
Again, thanks for the wonderful web site.
—Casey Ward
|
September 9, 2009
All the wonderful story telling about the old days at WBTV and 60th anniversary has me reflecting about the role WBTV played in my life starting as a child growing up in Gastonia, gathering at neighbor's homes on Jackson Road when I was about five years old to watch Hopalong Cassidy, Lone Ranger, and Boston Blackie and then getting our first TV set in 1951. Doug Mayes, Clyde McLean, Betty Feezer, Pat Lee, Arthur Smith, Fred Kirby, et al. were all like movie stars to me growing up (if I ever did).
While attending Clemson I happened upon a party one night following the North-South Double Header in Charlotte at Mark Conrad and Sam Fuller's apartment at Hamilton House. They were total strangers but I remember sitting on their couch and asking what they did for a living and then asking 'how'd ya get those jobs,' thinking how lucky they were. Fast forward about three years and I'm out of college working for Procter and Gamble in Charlotte and the phone rings. Tom Cookerly wants Jim Babb and Bud Coggins to hire P&G trained sales people and would I be interested in working for WBTV? Are you kidding, little old Gastonia hick me working with the giants of broadcasting, and I didn't know what giants they really were. I was there for only two years -1969-'71 - but those two years were my most formative, and the lessons learned and friends made there are still with me today.
Now 40 years later I'm the general mangler (appropriate term for me coined by Markus T Conrad) of a WBTV type, old-line NBC station. Like WBTV, WGAL started out in an old downtown building in Lancaster PA (smallest city in the nation with a TV station at the time) and moved into a state of the art TV studio in the mid 50's. Unlike WBTV, WGAL has maintained its market dominance, thank heavens, and have had the good fortune to stay in touch with former employees and invite them back to events every year. On March 18th this year WGAL celebrated its 60th anniversary with an hour special which just won a Telly Award. We did not have a big party but we did invite our current and past employees to a special screening in our big studio and everyone seemed to have a great time.
Thank you all for allowing me to share the halls at #1 Julian Price Place. I was a very lucky SOB to have had that opportunity and owe much of what success I have had in this crazy business to what you taught me way back when.
Happy 60th anniversary to all who made WBTV such a magical and fun place to be.
—Paul Quinn
WGAL President/ General Manager
Lancaster, PA
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August 14, 2009
I grew up on a chicken farm in Vineland, New Jersey.
When Dad bought a Clarion radio-phonograph in 1947, I inherited the small, tabletop Zenith we'd relied on throughout the war.
By turning the Zenith in different directions, I could receive stations from far away. The later at night and the colder the weather, the better.
I visited many parts of our country, from WWL in New Orleans to WHO in Des Moines to WOAI in San Antonio, all of them 50 Kw, clear channel stations.
But invariably I'd turn to WBT when it came time for the evening program hosted by "The Night Mayor." The Mayor, whose name I've forgotten, offered music and chatter. His format comforted a kid during those lonely nights on a South Jersey farm.
Then, one night in the early 1950s, the Mayor introduced a song played in a way never heard before. The song was, "How High the Moon." The performers were Les Paul and Mary Ford, with multiple tracks of Les on his electric guitar and multiple tracks of Mary's vocal, all played at the same time. The effect stunned me just as it must have many other listeners, because the Mayor played "How High the Moon" quite often after that.
Thanks to the Mayor, Les Paul and Mary Ford have been part of my life ever since those long-ago nights. Mary died in 1977. Now they're both gone. Their music will last well beyond our lifetimes, but their physical absence has created a void that can't be filled.
The infinite universe of our youth shrinks more rapidly with every passing year.
—Bert Vorchheimer
Philadelphia |
July 23, 2009
While searching the internet for information on Fred Kirby's Junior Rancho, I came across the WBTV tribute to Fred Kirby and your name. Many years ago we lived in Stanley, N.C.. I was really into cowboys and watched faithfully, The Lone Ranger, Hopalong Cassidy, The Cisco Kid, etc. and also Fred Kirby's Junior Rancho. One day my parents asked me if I wanted to be on the Junior Rancho television program. I was so excited. The day came for us to drive into Charlotte for the show. My mother and father wanted me to dress up in my Sunday School clothes but I insisted on going in my cowboy shirt, hat and six shooter. When I got to the studio I found that I was the only child there with a cowboy outfit on, and maybe for that reason, I got to sit on the first row of the bleachers...and was even interviewed by Fred Kirby himself! This would have been in 1951.
To this day I have always wondered if any of the Junior Rancho shows were taped, and, if so, have they been preserved in any form. I would love to track down a copy of the show from 1951 that I was in.
—John Morgan
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Richmond, Virginia |
July 19, 2009
The real moon walk, Woodstock, and WBTV's 20th anniversary -- what a summer!
I watched that 20th anniversary program on a black & white TV in my room at Horne's Motor Lodge on Freedom Drive. My then husband Bob Chesson and I had just arrived in Charlotte because he'd been hired as a newscaster by John Kilgo at Big WAYS. Bob went on to work as production manager for Ted Turner's WRET-TV, where he hosted the weekend horror movies as vampire character, Dead Ernest. Ted mentions this in his autobiography, "Call Me Ted."
In those years, Bob and I were friends with Ben and Martha Waters. Ben, of course, was Assistant News Director for WBTV before advancing to WRAL-TV as News Director (until his retirement). Martha worked in PR for Joe Eppley.
Thanks for keeping the 'BT Memories website up to date./p>
—Nancy Haynes
Collins, Haynes & Lully Advertising
Charlotte |
April 13, 2009
Here I sit with a box of Kleenex, just having finished the INCREDIBLE new Tommy Faile/Crackerjacks material. Tommy was a long-time favorite. His wonderful personality "oozed" out of the TV screen. I met him once at the Nazareth Childrens' Home in Rowan County where he appeared several times. Just as nice and kind as I figured he would be. I've run into Crackerjack/Briarhopper David Deese here in Salisbury several times, and he's related several great Tommy Faile stories.
Every weekday morning in the mid-to-late fifties, I was able to watch Carolina Calling and the first ten minutes of Captain Kangaroo before it was off to school. And then on Thursday nights, it was The Arthur Smith Show.
I rushed to Rhodes-Charles, the record store in downtown Statesville, to buy my 45-rpm copy of "Brown Mountain Light."
A wonderful part of growing up. Thanks for putting this together and sharing.
—Mike Cline |
April 12, 2009
In your listing of deceased 'BT people, you need to add the name of Larry Walker's widow, Pat Walker. She was a featured singer on WBT's "Fun by the Fireside." When she died at the age of 84 on September 24, 1983, I was asked to conduct her funeral.
Here is part of the meditation which I gave at Pat's funeral:
Pat's first musical show, at the age of 19, was also a first for the gifted producer, Arthur Hammerstein. It lasted on Broadway for 9 months. From New York, she went on the R.K.O. Orpheum Circuit, which took her to Los Angeles. While on the West Coast, the Edward L. Dohenys heard Pat sing. They invited her to their home and later paid her expenses for two years of study in Milan, Italy. Upon her return to the States, she did a year's concert tour before becoming a commentator and soloist for the Margaret Ann radio series. Irving Berlin, still alive and nearing the century mark (when I conducted this funeral), introduced Pat to Larry Walker, whom we also remember lovingly today. Both worked at CBS in New York before settling down at WBT in 1942.
I always enjoy reading your remembrances of BT days.
Sincerely,
—Kenneth M. Johnson
Lake Junaluska, NC |
April 12, 2009
Thanks for the new collection of photos featuring Tommy Faile and Arthur Smith and the Crackerjacks. Gee, can you believe that I worked that morning show, "Carolina Calling," when I first joined WBTV as a floor crew member?
Every time I check out BT Memories I start thinking about people I worked with way back then.
Perhaps you might have some current information on Maggie Griffin?
How about Bob Chandler (crew member at JP Tape Studio)? Limey?
And last, Jim Scancarelli, whom we all remember.
Do you know if these three are living, what they may be doing and are they still in the area?
Thanks again for your major contribution to BT Memories. There are many of us who enjoy checking out the web site.
—Dave Clanton |
April 12, 2009
I just viewed the pages you did on Tommy [Faile]. You did a FANTASIC job! I love the photo of Tommy and Aline. My mom passed away Friday (April 10), today (April 12) is her birthday. I am sure that Aline, Tommy, Bobby and the rest of the family are singing in Heaven together. I am happy that I could help you with Tommy's photos and songs.
—Kenny Stratton
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April 12, 2009
You provide a wonderful service for former employees and fans of BT. Thanks for all you do keep these memories alive.
—Gary Edens
Phoenix, AZ |
April 6, 2009
 When Ralph Smith was in Presbyterian Hospital with cancer, and knew it was to be fatal, I went to his room, opened the door and walked in. He was in bed, sitting up with pillows behind him, that big Brother Ralph smile was there. Almost before I could say hello, Ralph said, “Doug, I am so glad to see you. You know they have found a cure for cancer?”
I said, no, what is it? The big smile continued and he said, "Death!”
You had to know him, be around him, work with him, make trips with the group, to really know this was the way Ralph looked at life: with a smile.
—Doug Bell
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April 3, 2009
Great website! It's too bad more broadcasting stations don't have similar sites.
I spent part of my childhood in Charlotte and later I worked some in broadcasting in another market. I remember in 1958 or 1959, my younger sister and I decided to stay up late (11:30 PM to 1:00 AM) and watch this horror movie on WBTV. Then, as now, I was certain it was all a local production featuring a different scary movie each week. I remember this program as being titled "Shock Theater". However, I discovered on the Internet a reference to "Dr. Evil's Horror Theater" with Philip Morris as host. The 1960s is referenced as the time period it was on the air.
Certainty is an illusion but I'm certain I saw what I saw in 1959 at the latest. I remember the horror movie was not too good but we also saw several locally produced comic horror skits that were very entertaining. It all kept my sister and me up until 1:00 AM.
The problem was that the next day was a school day. I remember watching this movie on a Sunday or a Monday night and wondering why WBTV didn't air it on a Friday or a Saturday night. The next day, my sister and I were heroes in the eyes of our classmates. Everybody wanted to know about the movie and how scary it was. I also remember falling asleep in class.
We all wondered why WBTV didn't air these horror movies on a Friday or a Saturday night. We are still wondering. Anybody know?
Thanking you in advance,
—Betty Lee Stewart
|
March 7, 2009
My name is Tracey Copeland-Horton and I am the only child of Gordon Phillip Copeland & (formally) Norma Faye Dallas Monnett. Both of my parents worked for Jefferson-Standard in the 1960's. The television station is where they met, fell in love and then later, married. I have heard so many stories from them about their time at WBTV. The ones that I remember most are about when my parents would, on occasion, have to go in front of the camera to fill in or do little skits when the regular actors were unavailable, or the time in 1968 or 69, when we returned to NC for a visit and I 'starred' in a local commercial for Valentine's Day candy (I was 2 or 3 yrs. old), and about the time, in 1965, that my mother and her friend, Vivian, rode on the Thanksgiving Day Tweetsie Railroad float, both dressed as Can Can Girls. I recall how my father talked about getting to watch my mom be on TV.
My father passed away in 1994, at the age of 66 and my mother, now close to 70, lives in Eden, North Carolina. It would mean a great deal to me to find any film footage or photos of them while they were at the TV station.
My father, Gordon Phillip Copeland, worked at Jefferson-Standard from 1964 to Feb. 1966 as an Account Executive and my mother, Norma Faye Monnett worked there from 1963 - Feb. 1966. She started off as a secretary, but was promoted to traffic operations manager. In either late 1963 or early 1964 she moved to High Point for 6 months to work for WGHB-TV, so that she be closer to her recently widowed mother. When her mother remarried in 1964, she returned to WBTV and worked as the secretary to Bob Rieison until she and my father moved to California in 1966.
I know that I have, in storage, at least one office 'brochure' from that time highlighting various employees accomplishments. I believe that there are some photos, as well. As soon as I am able to get these items out of storage and go through them, I will forward copies of these to you for your website.
—Tracey Lee Copeland Horton
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March 3, 2009
 Jeanne Alexander (my mother-in-law) was an employee at WBTV during the early years. She did a TV show "What's Cooking," which was a precursor to Betty Feezor's show. Jeanne also did a radio show called "Man on the Street." For WBTV's 50th Anniversary we allowed [the station] to copy the photos and memorabilia that Jeanne kept all those years. They have copies of interviews (on LP record) that Jeanne did with Mrs. Roosevelt, Governor Reagan, etc. If you contact them they can provide archive copies of these items. They may be able to give copies of these audio files too.
Attached to this email is a photo of Jeanne Alexander. Jim Patterson, Doug Mayes, Fred Kirby and a few of the "Old Schoolers" stayed in contact over the years. As they were a part of a magical part of television where everything was being explored. Through that they became family.
My husband Mark (Jeanne's Son) has fond memories of going to visit these people and hearing the old stories. Thank you so much for the website.
—Mark and Shanna Palmer |
February 26, 2009
Didn't Kurt Webster call him self the "Night Mayor" and have as his theme song Artie Shaw's "Nightmare"?
I don't see that mentioned on your web site. Correct me if I'm wrong.
—Jim Donham
Bangor, PA
We put these questions to Doug Bell, who worked with Kurt, and got this response:
Curt called himself the Midnight Mayor of Charlotte…and, yes, Nightmare was his theme song. He had a unique way of signing off the station. He would read the sign off then pause…nothing but silence. Then you'd hear the sound of blowing out the light or candle. We would wait for that. The engineers at the transmitter knew to wait for that before powering down.
One of the best features was his “Segue Session." He would take one song and play portions of it by several artists. He would go from one arrangement to the next, and one would think it was only one recording. He had a sense of mixing. Buster Richardson was one of several engineers who ran that show with him. Buster was a man of music and many talents. He was a great person to know. Between the two they were masters of the segue. Now it can be done by editing, then it was manual. I would visit him just to watch that session.
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February 18, 2009
Just a note to say how much I have enjoyed your work. Came across it while looking up BT history. Went to school with Henry Boggan and worked at the competing station WKDX in Hamlet. Am now retired (Division Chief) from the St. Petersburg Police Department. Was chief spokesman (radio & tv) for 26 years. A good friend, Sid Linton, also from Rockingham, worked at "BT" and often wondered what became of him. Hopefully you may have info on him. BT's Morning Show host "AL" was a friend here in the Tampa Bay area before moving on to Charlotte. Darrel Stephens, retired Chief in Charlotte was our Chief here as well.
—Bill Doniel |
February 5, 2009
I worked in the graphic arts deparment with a commerical art degree from what was then the Richmond Professional Inst. of the college of William and Mary. A native of nearby Gaston County, I was proud to be working for WBTV. I joined the station about the time Jefferson Productions was getting underway. My  boss, Art Director Larry Broderson, called me into his office to tell me I would be part of a commercial being shot in the new studio built just for JP. I was so excited. I walked into the studio to find a table with a glass full of a soft drink. I was told the ice cubes were made of plastic. My job, I was to keep spraying the glass to make it look frosty from the plastic ice cubes. I did this for two hours after a number of camera takes. Later, I told my dad about my new commerical experience in big time TV. I am sure he was thinking, "I spend all that money to send you to art school for this."
Jim Scancarelli came to the department as I was leaving. I think I worked with him a few months. He is a great guy. I enjoyed seeing his pictures in the memories... I am a military historian now after I retired as an owner of my Art and Framing shop. BT was like a great family, I had mixed feelings, but got a job offer to go back to Richmond where I went to college.
—Tom Hovis
Fairfax, Va. |
January 16, 2009
I was Donna Ashcraft from 1956 until 1959, and dated Tom Ashcraft, in the radio sales department, for about 2 years. I left to marry Harold Weinstein in the latter part of 1959, then came back in 1960 to replace the person (Tommi Jones or Tommi Long) who had replaced me. My office was the small, record-filled room next door to Loonis's office. I wrote mostly advertising copy for WBT and later WBT-FM but also wrote some Project 60s as well as the 35th anniversary show.
I worked in WBT and sometimes WBT-FM creative services as a writer from 1956-1976, with several times off to have my four children. After I left BT I worked for 30 years in communications at St. John's Episcopal Church in Charlotte and just retired a few years ago. I had stayed in touch with Loonis until his death, but unfortunately had lost contact with most of the other "grads." Please include me in the next reunion. I'd love to see some old friends.
—Donna Weinstein |
December 17, 2009
Believe it or not—no, on second thought, just believe it—I just found the btmemories website. Sadly, I learned about it from a note from Keets Taylor giving an update on Dick's condition. Judy and I are deeply saddened by this (Dick, not the website) since we were friends with Dick and Keets and spent many happy times together. Thanks for the Dick Taylor pages on the site.
Now that I've found it, I should send a few flashbacks. I even have a couple of "air checks" where I secretly put the old "Christmas Balls" song that you, Loonis and others did some years before I got to BT into the Christmas music tape that the jocks would run scattered throughout the day. Of course, since I knew the rotation, I could secretly replace the reel before "management" could get it and find the song. It was quite a mystery and, as far as I know, no one ever figured out who did it or how except for John Jacob who was my roommate and, if not co-conspirator, at least he didn't snitch on me. The air checks are on Bob Lacy's and H.A. Thompson's shows.
If you want this, let me know and I'll dig it out of the "tape archives." I can think of a few more stories as well.
—Ron Cook
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December 30, 2008
I'm a former Charlottean—transplanted to NYC. I'm trying to find out which radio station ran a children's program — I think it was called "Uncle Bill's (not exactly sure of his name) Storytime." The program featured a story about Gus, The-Gopher and a coloring contest was held: Color Gus the gopher. I won first prize and actually went to the studio to be awarded my prize on the radio. If you have any info regarding this program, I would deeply appreciate hearing from you.
I enjoyed your website.
Sincerely,
—Diane Kimbrell |
December 28, 2008
The German-language version of Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, would like to write an article about the Carolina Hayride, the Carolina Jamboree and the Crazy Barn Dance, which were old stage shows that aired over WBT. Unfortunately, there is not much left on these shows, but I hope you can tell me something about these programs. Please note that the information will be used for educational purposes only. Let me also know, if you do not have any information on the show.
Sincerely yours,
—Alexander Petrauskas
Denmark
|
November 22, 2008
I noticed a question on your "Men at Work" page: "In what town was Travis Bell photography located in 1961?" The answer may be Lancaster, SC. I grew up in Lancaster and remember there being a Bell Studios. So I "Googled" that and found the operation still exists, now a larger multi-city operation and run by the son of the founder.
I'm so glad I stumbled upon your website. I have not lived in the Carolinas since 1991, and I still miss it. On this Thanksgiving night, I was thinking about my childhood and, for some reason, WBTV. I guess we always had the TV on! Anyway, what fun it is to relive memories through your web page. I remember so much: Doug Mayes, Mike McKay and "Those Were the Years", ACC basketball (maybe one night per week), Jefferson-Pilot ("sail with the pilot, all the way"....) and Carolina Pride commercials, Jim Thacker and Billy Packer, Fred Kirby... I could go on.
Anyway, thanks for taking the time and going to the effort to do this. Did you, or do you still work for WBTV? If so, you must have loved it.
Sincerely,
—John W. Harp (age 44)
Vice President for Student Affairs
Cornell College
Mt. Vernon, Iowa |
November 21, 2008
Did you know that Monday, Nov. 24th is the 90th anniversary of “Gasoline Alley”?
Jim hasn’t said much about it, but it’s quite a milestone. There is only one other comics strip that is still going that has been around longer, “The Katzenjammer Kids.”
I think Jim deserves some recognition for carrying on the GA tradition since 1986...and from right here in Charlotte, NC.
I emailed the story idea to one of the Observer reporters…since they ask if you have a story idea contact them…but thus far, no reply, or interest, from them.
So I called the news story hotline at WBTV and told the story, along with Jim’s ties to BT, to one of the reporters who seemed interested. I also gave him Jim’s unlisted phone number. Then called Jim to let him know to answer the phone if that ID # came up on his phone.
Anyhow, I thought Jim’s achievement through GA would be worth a comment on the BT MEMORIES page.
—Marcus Hamilton |
November 18, 2008
I stumbled across your BT Memories website today.
What can I say…….I was delighted!
WBT and WBTV are the stations I grew up with living here in Salisbury. I am 45 now and the memories of the station have just seemed to come back with renewed appreciation. It seems the WBTV was more a part of our life, than just a channel you turn to.
Today, I do not think most people understand that.
Thank you for your work.
My best regards,
—Brian Granberry |
November 4, 2008
I placed a link to the Belmont Tunnel Story on the Belmont Historical Society announcements web page. I vaguely remember the stories when I was a kid. The Belmont Tunnel article is so funny and I thought the members of the Historical Society would enjoy reading the article.
www.belmontnc-hs.org
I hope you don't mind me adding the link.
—John Love
www.ybr-inc.com
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October 31, 2008
I've enjoyed scanning your web site and seeing names and faces that
populate my childhood memories. My father, Ken Tredwell,
passed away on May 28, 1983.
—Scott Tredwell
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October 31, 2008
I thought you would be interested in the blog post I just put up about Grady Cole:
http://www.lib.unc.edu/blogs/morton/index.php/2008/10/the-legendary-grady-cole/
I don't know if you're familiar with "A View to Hugh," but I hope you'll comment, and pass the word along to anyone else you think would be interested.
I love the "BT Memories" site -- it's VERY nicely done.
best,
—Elizabeth Hull
Hugh Morton Collection Archivist
Special Collections, Wilson Library
UNC-Chapel Hill
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October 29, 2008
On Oct 27, the official plaques were presented at WBT by Rick Jackson, Jessica Reeves, and the rest of the WBT team. Check www.wbtbriarhoppers.blogspot.com for more info on it and pix! Many congrats go to fellow inductees Ty Boyd, Arthur Smith, and the late Earle Gluck (whose family was present at the ceremony).
—Tom Warlick
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October 28, 2008
I'm not a member of the WBT family.
I was born in Charlotte in 1944 and grew up with WBT and WBTV—our family had one of the first televisions in greater charlotte around 1948 or so.
I have several WBT memories and one WBTV memory
I strongly remember Doug Mayes' evening DJ show called "Nightwatch." He would say, "The nightwatchman is making his rounds on WBT...." He had nice easy listening music, the kind you can go to sleep to.
Also, I remember well Lee Kirby, who at one time, I believe, was the voice of the Duke Blue Devils football team, when the station originated duke football games in late 40s and/or early 1950s.
Regarding Lee Kirby, I remember well when the WBT studios were located in the Wilder Building at the corner of South Tryon Street and third.
I can vividly remember an afternoon television broadcast by Lee Kirby, standing on one of the floors of the First Union Bank Building which was going up across third street. Kirby used a mike with wire hanging across the street, and the camera was sticking out of a window in the Wilder Building...He talked to construction folks, etc. Ultimately, I think the building reached about 12 floors.
Also on WBT, I remember a Sunday night program, either 10-11 or 9 to 11, called "Across the Minister's Desk." It featured Dr. Lawrence I. Stell, who was the pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church off Providence Road. The church was relatively new in the mid-1950s. He would answer questions written to the station or phoned in.
Just a few memories.
I'll try to send some more...when they jog free.
Best,
—Wilford Kale
Williamsburg, VA
(P.S. my family owned Kale-Lawing Co., office outfitters, just a few buildings up South Tryon from the Wilder Building and WBT. I would see WBT Folks often.) |
October 16, 2008
Thank you for making the “BT Memories” site so entertaining and informational. Along those lines, I’m still the WBTV Producer for the Carolinas’ Thanksgiving Day Parade (formerly the “Carrousel” parade). The parade office has asked how many years WBTV has broadcast the parade. I’ve got tapes going back to 1982, but I can’t find any official mention of our first broadcast. John Steed remembers us carrying it in the late ‘60s when he started working her, but isn’t sure how long we did before then.
Could I call on you, and the power of “the network,” to see if anyone knows for sure? If nothing else, maybe we can get some anecdotal information – “I started in 19--, and we were broadcasting it then…”
Thanks for whatever help you can provide.
—Tom Brock
WBTV, Inc. |
October 4, 2008
Can't tell you how much I enjoy BT MEMORIES. I check it at least weekly. Even when there's nothing new, I enjoy reading it again. Recently, when I went downstairs after checking email, Dee said, "You look like you've been crying."
"No, just a little emotional," I said.
I wish BT was like it used to be.
—Bill Ballard
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August 23, 2008
My name is Scott McElhaney. My wife Ellen is Jim Patterson's youngest daughter. I wanted to thank you for putting the photos and videos together. Our children never had the pleasure in meeting Uncle Jim. Again thanks for the web site. If you have any more photos or videos we would love to see them.
Thanks
—Scott and Ellen McElhaney
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August 5, 2008
Hi. I enjoyed reading the BT Memories page. I recall listening to “Lacey Listens” and remember the Spike Jones-style song which introduced his show – at least back in the mid-70’s. Does anyone remember the name of that song? I can’t find it among Spike Jones’ discography, yet it sure seems like it – a polka with people laughing throughout the song (in rhythm)!
Thanks,
—Dale Dockus
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July 28, 2008
You have really outdone yourself with those videos. A side note: In the second video of the Betty Feezor celebration of twenty years when she interviewed Helen Wagner from "As the World Turns," she mentioned about Miss Phillips' script restrictions. Her name was Irma Phillips who once fired Wagner for the way she poured coffee. Fortunately, the fans and the sponsor, Proctor & Gamble, forced Miss Phillips' hand.
—Davan S. Mani |
July 21, 2008
I don't think I ever met Betty Feezer when I worked at FM. In fact, I don't recall even seeing her but once in the station as I was wandering around one day. My grandfather was a huge fan of hers. He owned a sausage packing business in north Mecklenburg County, and he arranged his work hours to allow him to watch her show every day. He should have been advertising on her program, but he intentionally kept his business very small to keep the meat-packer's union out. He's been dead for 35 years, but my mother still laughs about how he wouldn't miss her show for anything.
Like most young'uns who grew up around Charlotte, I was a big fan of Fred Kirby. I saw him at Tweetsie Railroad once as a child, riding Calico and shooting at the raiding Indians. Then I met him once, and that was in the FM control room when he was roaming around visiting people in the building. What a nice guy! He treated me as though we were old friends. I don't recall ever seeing him without that big broad smile on his face.
I didn't get to know Jim Patterson, but I do recall when he would come upstairs to FM to cut up and chew the fat with you.
I remember that towards the end of my summer at FM, the station had a big employee cookout. I was allowed to bring my girl friend. I don't think we saw you, Don [LeBreque], Matilda [Massingill], or anyone else from the station that I already knew, but we were fortunate enough to sit at a table across from Gil Stamper and his wife. He was already way up in age if I recall, but he couldn't have been nicer. You would never have known that he was a pretty famous local TV personality. I think the station was full of people like him.
I appreciate you adding me to you BTmemories network.
—Mike Henderson
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July 14, 2008
I enjoyed the photo and information about Fred Kirby on the BT Memories web site.
I grew up in Indian Trail NC during the 1960s, and used to see Fred Kirby at the local Post Office near his home there. I watched him host the Little Rascals on WBTV.
Fred Kirby once was the special guest at the grand opening of a drug store in Indian Trail (probably around 1969 or 1970). The store gave away a small B&W TV in a random drawing. I won the drawing and Mr. Kirby presented the TV to me.
A few months back, my Mother gave me an original old B&W 8x10 inch flier of "Fred Kirby and The Little Rascals." She had kept it stored for years. It has a picture of Mr. Kirby, a picture of an old WBTV television camera, and each of the Little Rascals and their names.
It has a signature of Fred Kirby. I was trying to authentic the signature. I compared my
Fred Kirby signature to the Fred Kirby signature on the photo at BT Memories web site. The signatures look similar, but I can't tell for sure.
My Mother said that I must have gotten the flier when I attended the drug store grand opening.
Thanks,
—Tim Hartis, age 48
Rock Hill, SC
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June 30, 2008
Just ran across "BT Memories" again and have been enjoying the J.B. Clark 35th Anniversary Program with C. Crutchfield and Earl Gluck. I met Gluck once, years before my employment at WBT, but had no clue as to who he 'really was.' Thought at the time that he was just an old dude with a funny name. I came to understand years later that I should have been very impressed.
Great job. Looking forward to the next installment of your 'memoir.'
I wonder if in your vast storehouse of incidental information you know about Dorsey Dixon, the textile worker from Rockingham who--according to hand me down information—had a program on WBT (the Dixon Brothers). He was the author of the truly God-awful song "The Wreck on the Highway" that was a big hit for Roy Acuff. It spoke of blood and glass running together, "but I didn't hear nobody pray."
Regards,
—Sid Linton
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April 29, 2008
I just wanted to chime in with my memories of working at WBT from 1985-1990 I hope it will give you some prespective on the latter days. I leave it up to you to decide if you want to include my comments or not. I won't be offended; there are no ego problems here!
I came to Charlotte to work afternoon drive at WSOC in the fall of 1981, but everything I knew about Charlotte I learned by listening to WBT while living in Fort Lauderdale. Henry Bogan painted a picture of Charlotte that was very appealing he was probably the best promotion the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce ever had!
Though the years I got to know Henry while I worked at WSOC AM 930 and he couldn't have been nicer to me. Somehow Henry would even promote my show on WBT! I'm sure management would not have liked that if they had heard him, but Henry acted like WBT was his to do with it what he wanted, and I guess in fact it was.
After several failed formats at WSOC, I was shown the door. They decided to stop trying to do anything with WSOC-AM; it just wasn't working. I had made some friends at WSOC-TV and they would occasionally give me TV spots to read. On one of those trips Bill Ellis at WSOC-FM told me that Steve Harmon left the all-night show at WBT and I should get over there and apply. Ellis and James K. Flynn were good friends so there was a pipeline between the two stations. Wow, you didn't have to tell me twice! I went right over there and talked to Program Director Dave Bishop, who explained they were not sure what they were going to do with all nights, they might add Larry King (which they did). However if I wanted to, I could do overnight till the decision was made. Being unemployed (but not for long) I jumped at the chance to ride the big 50,000-watt signal of Charlotte's personality powerhouse. While on the air I used to hear from friends in Miami who were listening and made new friends up and down the east coast including a man who lived 20 miles north of Montreal. The overnight show was all oldies which I have considerable knowlege and interest in, so doing overnights at WBT was a dream come true!
The dream was short lived because in a couple of months station management had decided to go with Larry King at night. I heard that Larry himself was very interested in landing WBT as an affiliate. Larry's show had been heard in Charlotte on WSOC. If only they had held on to Larry King at WSOC, who knows what might have happened!
From my full-time but temporary stint overnight I went to weekends and vacation fill. Hey, I've got my foot in the door and I'm having way too much fun to give up WBT! So, from the rest of 1985 till 1990 I worked whatever shifts I could work. In fact at one point I did three shifts on the weekend: a Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon followed by a Sunday late-night shift.
The Sunday late night was something that Henry Bogan had started called "The Sunday Show" it was all standards and similar to what I had done at WSOC This was the last time I was allowed to pick all my own music. The overnight oldies show was done that way as well. Most people don't realize that radio stations do not let the jocks pick the music, it used to be hand picked by the music director and later done by a computer list. On the "Sunday Show" I would play "Heartaches" by Ted Weems and tell the story of how Curt Webster, using the power of WBT, made the song a hit all over again some 10 years after it came out. I think when working at WBT you must know about the history of the station and those who came before.
My fondest moment would have to be the night Jim Patterson came on the "Sunday Show" at my invitation to host it with me. First of all I was hesitant to even ask since I knew he had to get up early for the "Good Morning Show" on WBTV. Having seen all the pictures around the station of Jim at the turntables I just had to ask. To my surprise he not only consented but seem genuinely pleased that I asked him! We had a great night on the air. I let Jim talk and play anything he wanted. He brought some records with him and he left at Midnight leaving me to do the last hour solo. I thought it was great and hoped to do it again but that was not to be, Jim died a few months later. I remember being on the air the day we heard about his accident. It was a very sad day to be sure.
It was my good fortune to work with a staff that was pure magic. Bob Simpson, Mike Collins, H.A. Thompson, Henry Boggan, Ray Gooding, Don Russell, James K. Flynn and David Appleford. In news, Scott White, Cleo Crowder and Lee Melvin. In sports, Gary Sparber and Steve Martin.
That's just a few of the talented people who allowed me to spend some quality time with them. I never had an issue or "ego problem" with any of these fine people. Many in fact were very supportive of me, a comparative rookie.
For me radio will never be quite as good as it was then.
I had a great time at WBT and was happy to be a small part of the station and it's history.
—Mike (Sheridan) Miranda
PS: I still think Don Russell should be on WBT full time!
The nicest thing for me was to be able to do the top-of-the-hour ID with pride: "The news voice of the Carolinas, WBT, Charlotte...."
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March 11, 2008
That's Andy Anderson at the switcher, Wade Lawrence seated the camera shading console with back turned toward camera, and Cliff Livingston talking to (a then) young man whom I cannot identify.
The picture is taken looking back toward an equipment rack in the background. Behind that rack was the film chains room (two of them) with live operators, like Ron Hovis. And, behind the film chair room was the quad VTRs room, where T. Keller Bush presided over five or six large 2-inch tape machines that require "5 second roll cues".
To the right hand side of this photo (roughly the direction Wade Lawrence is turned) was the engineering shop with veterans like Warren Wilson and Harvey Hood.
Bill [Napier] is right about what awful color pictures those giant TK-42 cameras made. We had three of these in the larger studio, and two more in the smaller studio where Betty Feezor's kitchen set was located. These monsters required 500 foot-candles of light to work, as compared with about one-fifth that amount (now called "lumens") to make beautiful High Definition color pictures with modern equipment. The TK-42's were so heavy... the camera heads themselves, that the pedestals had to use an electric motor to "boom up" or down. They barely "rolled" and it took a lot of momentum just to get one of these studio cameras moving around the studio floor at all. Therefore, we tended not to.
Most of the shots were from fixed positions for newscasts, the cooking shows, and "Top 'O The Day."
When we taped Jim Crockett's "Championship Wrestling" (hosted by Big Bill Ward) on Wednesday nights for playback in "access" early evening time on Saturday nights... a one-hour live-on-tape circus... we had to use a large industrial motorized wench to raise one of the TK-42's camera heads to go atop a separated raised electric pedestal on top of a heavy duty construction scaffolding to get the wide shots of the temporary wrestling right that had to be erected and torn down in between Wednesday night's 6 and 11p newscasts that were produced from that same studio "A." That included the crew having to pull out bleacher seating for the live audience who lined up at One Julian Price Place every Wednesday afternoon.
Hope these memories add some "color" and detail to your posting.
—John Hutchinson
Bahakel Communications
Charlotte |
April 6, 2008
Thanks for a terrific BT Memories website. I was at WBTV from 1983 until 1999 as a camera operator, audio and master control tech and satellite truck tech. I've spent the last number of years with CBS News in New York. I count myself fortunate to have worked at JP during what I would consider to be the end of the heyday years. I grew up in Charlotte in the 60's idolizing Fred Kirby and Uncle Jim. How fortunate I am to have been able to go on to work with my childhood idols.
When my dad passed away in 1985, Jim Patterson wrote me a wonderful heartfelt note of condolence. Who could known that Jim would pass just a few short years later? I still have Jim's note to this day, and I treasure it greatly. (And by the way, talk about connections... my parents used to tell the story that my dad briefly dated Betty Feezer back in the early 50's, before my parents ever met!)
I drop in on your website from time to time and it saddens me to see the names of the folks I knew and worked with who have passed on. But you do a great service to them and to the memory of One Julian Price Place, back when our business was a much simpler one. Thanks for your work and best wishes to the BT alumni, past and present...
—Frank King
New York City |
March 29, 2008
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting my dad's pictures on the BT web site. He died before several of his grandchildren were grown and I have been able to share this with them. I am very proud of what he accomplished in his career. We were alway 'Channel 3' people and very proud to be affiliated with Jefferson. On the memorial page, I am sad to see so many people that were a part of my dad's life. As I may have told you before, I remember as a child being on the Betty Feezor set and meeting Clyde McLean many times.
Again, thank you so much for what you did for my family.
—Debbie Reynolds Reavis |
March 13, 2008
I am looking for a video/dvd of the Betty Feezor show to give my mother as a gift. Is there anything available?
Thank you for your help!
—Debra Reed |
February 16, 2008
Thanks for the great website. I grew up watching Fred Kirby, Jim Patterson, Betty Feezor, Cloudy Mclain, Ty Boyd (his brother gave birth to me!) and so many others on WBTV. What a special time that was in my life. I just wish it was still the same. The Mooresville of my youth is long gone.
Thanks again,
—Martin Phillips
Weaverville, NC |
February 11, 2008
I recently moved back to the Carolinas after being away for a number of years (graduate school and a teaching appointment in Louisiana). I was surfing and stumbled onto your BT Memories site and man! Memories came flooding back!
I have two questions for you:
1) Has the painting of the WBTV personalities ever been made into a poster, and if so, how would one obtain a copy of it?
2) Are you, or is anyone else, writing the history of WBTV into a book? If not, I would think that would be a worthy project. I know I'd snag a copy up in a heartbeat. Being a history buff myself, even though I'm trained as a biologist, I would think it would be an exciting project for someone.
Thanks,
—Kerry D. Heafner
Biology, Division of Natural Sciences
Limestone College
Gaffney, SC |
January 27, 2008
I am a former employee of WBTV.I was close to Jim Patterson and sometimes co-hosted his morning program.I would like to locate some people who used to work there: Tony MacMahan, Blaine Fischer, Jack Dula, Bobby Green, C.J. Underwood, to name just a few. Any help you could give me in this regard would be appreciated.
Thank you,
—Alan Ryan |
January 26, 2008
I'm hoping you can help me re-discover some CBS Color TV history I saw first hand
displayed 'museum-like' behind glass at WBTV some 23+ years ago.
I visited WBTV in late 1984 to deliver and help set up the first Satellite News Gathering uplink
truck. I worked that weekend with Terry Phillips in the inaugural use of the SNG truck to send back a story about an execution at the NC State Prison which was being protested by hundreds of people.
I am Cliff Benham, long time broadcast Engineer, now a member of the Early Television Museum in
Hilliard, Ohio. http://www.earlytelevision.org/index.html
The display I'm interested in contains early WBTV Engineering artifacts from 1949 to about 1952,
most importantly, original CBS color wheel TV monitors, cameras and support equipment. The CBS
color system was only used for a short time in 1950 and 1951 and was incompatible with the NTSC
TV system still in use today. Vintage CBS Color Equipment is therefore extremely rare.
I'm interested in knowing if this display of CBS color equipment is still in place at WBTV and if there are photos of the equipment, photos of it in use and if there are newspaper and Jefferson Newsletter articles about this short lived phase of color broadcasting that relate specifically to WBTV.
Finally, if the equipment is still available for viewing would it be possible to visit WBTV and take photos of it for the ETF website?
Thanks for any help you can offer about the history of CBS Color at WBTV.
Regards,
—Cliff Benham |
January 25, 2008
I have a signed picture of Grady Cole that might be a nice addition to your website. I frequent auctions & this picture was in a box lot that I purchased. I have had it for many years & until several days ago didn't have any idea who Grady Cole was. I have enjoyed your site & be delighted to donate this to you. If you are interested, please e-mail me back with the address & I will be happy to send it to you.
— Angie Urps
Woodruff, S.C.
Subsequently, Angie mailed us the photo. We scanned it and placed it on this page. |
January 23, 2008
Just stumbled across your wonderful website today. Wonderful work and great memories!
I'm poking about for archives of old "hello Henry" shows. I saw your clips, are there more somewhere? I listened nearly every night growing up, as did my brother. It would be a treat to hear more.
Thanks! Great work!
—Melissa Mohlère |
January 22, 2008
I have an extremely vague memory of a children’s show featuring a ventriloquist in a naval uniform called Captain Phil. Part of my admittedly disjointed recollection connects the phrase “secret island” with the show.
To go into more detail, my impression is that the show had a science fiction or high adventure theme, complete with eerie music and sound effects, which may have scared the bejeezus out of me because I must have been but only three or four years old at the time. Since then I have come to associate Philip Morris of “Morris Costume” fame with the ventriloquist, perhaps because of the coincidence of the name, or his preference for macabre entertainments (I DO clearly remember him as Dr. Evil) or it may be that I came across a b&w publicity still of Mr. Morris in a naval costume somewhere that triggered an association.
Was this a WBTV program, or I’m I just dreaming?
—Neal Scroggs
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January 20, 2008
Hello.
My name is Alan Newcomb. My grandfather worked at WBTV & I just came across your "BT Memories" site. I just wanted to let you know that I think it is wonderful that you are keeping the memories that many people seem to have of that organization alive. I have heard from my dad & grandmother how special the group of people that my grandfather worked with there were, and I too lament the increasing influence that corporate takeovers & acquisitions have the media in our country. But I would also say that your efforts are in the right place with the website; the internet is a purely democratic media. Keep it up, & take care.
—Alan |
January 13, 2008
My name is Des Flynn. My son, Addam, has been assigned a fourth grade class project to prepare a written and oral report, presented in the first person, about a famous North Carolinian. Addam has chosen Fred Kirby. While researching, we found the wonderful Fred Kirby video collection on the BT Memories Video Center. I see where the videos were provided courtesy of Mike Cline, but can’t find any further contact information.
Can you please tell me if there is any way we can possibly contact Mike Cline and/or get copies on DVD of two of those video clips for Addam to play for his class, i.e., the PM Magazine Feature (Circa 1980) from Fred Kirby’s 80th Birthday Bash (May 19, 1990 on WBTV); and Moments with Fred Kirby – Fred sings with “Uncle Jim” and “Lucky” (time 3:05). Since he has a limited amount of time to present, these two short clips, I think, would greatly help to convey some of Fred’s loving and gentle character (yes, as you can tell, as a native Charlottean, I’m a HUGE Fred Kirby fan myself! I met him as a child at Tweetsie, saw him riding Calico in all of the parades, and never missed his TV shows!!)
Thank you so much for any help or direction you can offer!! Addam will be giving his presentation at school on Friday, February 1, so I’m hoping we can assemble enough “show and tell” memorabilia, including a CD of one of his albums, to allow Addam to pass along a portion of Fred’s abundant legacy and blessing to a generation who will sadly grow up without him.
(FYI - While researching, I learned something about Fred that I never knew… Fred never charged when performing for children with disabilities. This makes this report even more special to me as Addam is affected by autism.)
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
—Des Flynn |
There's only one request that I have of you, and I hope that you'll do it soon. Put up some billboard art or TV Guide ads with the WBTV logo that was in use between 1978 and 1983. That was the last integrated "3" logo (just before the Ribbon 3), and now that I'm old enough to appreciate it, it was also the coolest logo. In fact, I've incorporated this logo into some buildings I created for use on the popular computer game SimCity 3000 Unlimited. I've attached a picture here, just so you can see what I'm talking about.