• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Memphis Memories (radio style)

It has come to my attention that WKNO-TV is pondering doing an upcoming Memphis Memories about Memphis radio. I'll let you know soon where your contributions of suggestions and tangible audio and photos may be directed.
 
If you have useful suggestions, or audio and pictures for consideration, the contact at WKNO is Pierre Kimsey, at [email protected].
He's looking for stuff from the birth of radio to the early 80's (so I guess Snap will have to wait... sorry Yum).
 
Bonnie Kourvelas did a wonderful job with the previous "Memphis Memoirs" episodes.

If she's still involved I'm sure it will be a wonderful program.


Question for the Readers:

What is your favorite "Memphis Memoirs" episode?

Mine is "Beyond the Parkways".
 
I can't pick 1 so here they are in order > :

When TV Came to Town
Beyond the Parkways
Overton Park
Kennedy Hospital
 
I don't guess the one on garage bands quailfies, but that has been one of my favorite WKNO-TV things.
 
robgrayson said:
I don't guess the one on garage bands quailfies, but that has been one of my favorite WKNO-TV things.

"Playing for a Piece of the Door: Memphis Garage Bands" was one of the "Memphis Memoirs" series.
 
Now, to get us back on topic, let's list some of the people who should be interviewed for "Memphis Memoirs: The Radio Years":

Jack Parnell
Allan Tynes
John Powell
Fred Cook
Rick Dees
Tom Prestigiacomo
Ron Olson
Stan Bell

Please feel free to add your own suggestions.
 
George Klein (if he's still around--knew Elvis back in the day)
Steve Conley
Ken Berryhill (lives here in the Nashville area now, but knew the "colonel" even before the "colonel" discovered and managed Elvis)
 
Claudia Barr
Bobby O'jay
Janis Fullilove
Ford Nelson

Claudia started her carreer as one of the first black air personalities on traditionally "white" stationss in the city as did Janis.

Bobby O'Jay and Ford Nelson because no show about Memphis Radio would be complete without proper salute to WDIA (celebrating it's 60'th year in 2008).
 
How about...

"Hello, this is Dr. Billy Birmingham, speaking to you from my home in Hernando, MS!" ;D
 
The biggest problem in doing such a show will be narrowing the scope. There is SOOO much ground to cover. Radio, of course, is either a reflection or driving force of pop culture. So, that makes it much harder to cover than, say, "Beyond the Parkways."

The point about WDIA is a good one. One could make a full documentary about WDIA and/or WLOK. In fact, there is such a documentary out there. Think about it -- who was more important from a sociological perspective: Rufus Thomas or Rick Dees?

Similarly, one could make a full hour on WHBQ. Or, Dewey Phillips and the birth of rock & roll, as seen through the lens of Memphis, TN.

This could be FASCINATING. I just hope the producers (Love Bonnie!) can establish theme before plunging forward. This will be hard.

DE
 
With all due respect to Rufus Thomas ...

Rick Dees is the most important personality in the history of Memphis radio.

When he arrived in 1974, WMPS and WHBQ were just about in a dead heat. He put WMPS on his back and turned the contest into a one-sided laugher.

Then, when he goes to WHBQ in 1976, he turned the tables virtually overnight. So anticipated was his arrival at Q that the ratings went up before he arrived.

He single-handedly drove a radio station from its format.

Call-out research showed him to be Memphis' favorite radio personality two years after he left the market.

It's Mr. Dees in a landslide.
 
> It's Mr. Dees in a landslide.

I have great respect for Mr. Dees.

But, the sociological aspect of what was happening at WDIA mid-Century is seismic in proportion. It's not just what it meant to the medium, but it reflected a growing and economically emergent black community.

WHBQ/WMPS is an interesting story. But, it's not that historically relevant. When one is documenting history, one has to juxtapose it against larger themes (this is what guys like Ken Burns are so good at). The Rick Dees story, despite Dees' great talent, simply doesn't measure up.

Seacrest Out (is it just me, or is this saying really, really ironic? I'm just sayin')

DE
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom