WKOR-Starkville

[Bob Y.]

Just found these boards the other day and see a few names I recognize from my 'KOR days.

Terry B, you and I worked together for a few years in the late 80's. Glen J., I met you through Dennis H and spoke with you several times although we never worked together at KOR.

Speaking of the late 80's, remember these guys?

Mike Grace - I saw Mike about a year ago at the funeral for Dennis...Mike's in L.A. (lower Alabama) doing sports programming.

Ken Glen - No idea.

Russ Williams - PD in Tuscaloosa the last I heard..which was several years ago.

Bob Fonda - I last saw Bob in Jackson about 12 or 13 years ago. I was MD at Q101 and Bob was PD or MD at one of the Jackson rock stations. We were at a record company event and Bob was feeling no pain! During the course of the night, he gave me about a dozen of his business cards and said, "let's stay in touch!" Of course we didn't.

Hope to hear from some of the former KOR gang soon!!

Bob Yarbrough
WKOR '86-'91

 

[tbarber]

Andy Bob,

What's up? I missed you at Dennis' funeral... I drove in the night before for the funeral home and found out that C Boyd had passed away too... and wanted to see Libba... so, I paid my repsects in Louisville and then drove to Columbus and then to Charlie's funeral the next day. I still find it hard to believe.... Hudson was a trip. The problem I am having is that Dennis and I worked together when he was around 40.... and me, now I'm- you get the idea.

I have many fond memories of KOR... we were kind of a second wave... there are some guys (old farts) that cruise this board that remember KOR as the big blow torch on 980.... I was there when it kinda morphed from 980 to 92.1 (and now it's at 94.9- I was part of that too).

Ken Glenn has got to be dead by now.... God, he was close to it every morning when we had to drag his ass out of bed each morning and pray he got there by 10am. I remember the day that he came in all bruised up from Bob Fonda beating the crap out of him over some stupid bird.

Olen tells me (and we keep in touch) that Russ is in Tuscaloosa and doing well.

Mike Grace and I rediscovered each other by accident last year duirng the state football playoffs in Alabama.

Gary O was on the radio in Tupelo (part time) when I was in Tupelo about 7 years ago.

My best friend Greg Simmons died about 5 years ago.

I ran in to John Thomas in Olens driveway about 1am a month or so ago. He had done play by play in Ridgeland and driven to Starkville to be ready for the MSU game.

What about Cherry Smith, Angela Bailey, and Marshall whats is name the new guy?

And yourself..... you were the good looking guy who made the big bucks switch to TV.... you still in Knoxville?

Thanks for the memories.

TB

 

[Bob Y.]

Hey TB, it's good to hear from you. Yeah, we missed the real glory days of KOR. When I worked there, I would sometimes stumble across an aircheck from the 980 days...those "old farts" did have the place sounding pretty awesome. Hudson always told me they worked to imitate the sound of "The Big 89, WLS..Chicago".

My funniest memory of Ken Glen happened when I filled in on mornings one week. Ken didn't have a car and would walk to work each day, about a 30-45 minute hike. It was also one of those rare days that was ass freezing cold in Starkville. A blue face and nearly frozen Ken came into the studio about 9:30 and just stared out the sliding door. He didn't talk to anyone, didn't make a sound, didn't move. Just stood there until it was time to go on the air. Hudson and I often laughed about the fight he and Bob Fonda got into over that bird. Dennis said he asked Bob why he beat Ken's ass. Bob's response was, "He trashed my bird, man." Dennis and I quoted that about five thousand times over the years.

Can't believe Hudson is gone. We became really close friends following our KOR days and would talk about two or three times a week. Still miss him greatly. Also, I was going to ask you about Greg Simmons. I often thought about Greg and worried that his health failed him. He and I stayed in touch during my Q101 days but I hadn't talked to since about '95 or so. Greg was one of the most kind hearted persons I've ever known.

Cherry is still in Starkville, saw her last year at Dennis' funeral. She's doing well but has been through a few tough times over the years. The last I heard of Angela was in the early 90's. She was married with a child and in Alabama. Don't remember a Marshall.

What are you doing these days? I'm still in Knoxville, came here in 1997 to spend a few years and move on. It's been nearly a decade. The area is great, however, I'm still searching for the "big bucks" that come with a tv gig. I feel my job is pretty secure and you know how important job security is in this business. I'm co-anchoring the morning and noon newscasts. Got married in '02 and have two girls now. A 2 1/2 year old and a 6 month old. Life certainly has changed since the Nickle Beer and Comedy Zone Nights at Cheers.

Shoot me an email and let me know what's up. [email protected]

Take care,

Andy-Bob

 

[Russ L.]

I picked up on these boards the other day by way of Terry Barber. I called him for any job leads he may know of. Yeah, the Clear Channel bloodbath on Oct. 31st, along with Tuscaloosa merging with Birmingham, took my position of OM. Yep, I'm still riding the heartbreak train of radio.

Andy-Bob is a name I'll never forget, and you can always blame Hudson for that. The funniest part is that your Mom began calling you by your radio name. I don't think many of us can say that!

Bob Fonda was in Lufkin, TX for Clear Channel but a few months ago his email disappeared from the CC email list and I lost him again. Ken Glenn would be close to 70 now if still living. He and Bob got the bird incident and worked together at WHSY in Hattiesburg, but Ken came in drunk one day and called his newsgirl the "N" word and got fired again. Todd Berry was there for 6 months in '87, now PD at The Bull (WDXB) Birmingham.

I only found out about Dennis's passing a couple of months ago and was devastated I didn't get a call. I did another round in Columbus at WSMS (Classic Rock WSMS for Cumulus a few years ago and bumped into him a few times. Also, during my 7 year stint at WTXT, Tuscaloosa in the 90's, I would leave tickets at the box office every time James Gregory came to town.

The great thing about Dennis, besides the great guy and professional he was, is the stories that will never die...and I have quite a few I can tell sometime.

As an update on me...besides the current job search I just started...family matters most and 3 of my kids were born in my 'KOR years. Casey (24) married and lives in Savannah, GA. Garrett's (20) out of college for now, but plans on Fire College in January, and wants to be in public service. He was the youngest EMA storm spotter in Tuscaloosa history. The twins Jennifer and Courtney are 18 and started college this fall.

Jan and I filed for divorce in the last couple of months, and there lies the radio heartbreak.....now that this job is ended, I'll be going alone. So I'm trying to stay within reasonable distance, unless a really great opp. comes along. But after 33 years in this business, I don't kid myself anymore.

 

[Bob Y.]

Russ L,

Man, it's great to hear from you. Sorry to learn of your recent misfortunes, someone with your knowledge and experience is invaluable. I wish you the best in your job search.

I can't tell you how much the things I learned at KOR have influenced my life and career. You were a big part of that and I can't thank you enough. Now that Hudson is gone, I don't hear "Andy-Bob" too much anymore. I still laugh at how I think the name Andy Rivers came to be. I called you about an hour before I went on air for the first time at KOR. It was about midnight or 1 am, late on a Friday night. You said "I'll call you back with a name in a few minutes." You called back and said..."go with Andy Rivers". Sounded good to me, so I went with it. About a year later, I'm watching late night tv and the Mary Tyler Moore show was on. Ted Baxter was doing the news and said..."blah, blah will have weather...and Andy Rivers will have sports." I shouted, "That damn Russ Williams...he got my name from The Mary Tyler Moore show!!" I don't know if that is really where you got the name but it makes a great story and I still laugh at it.

I can't believe your children are that old! Holy crap. Maybe we can sit down for a beer or six sometime. That would be cool. Email me if you get the chance. [email protected]

Take care Russ,

Bob Y.

 

[Russ L.]

You know, I remember that night, too, but I can't recall where the name came from. Just that it wasn't long before you went on the air. But Dennis knew you as a child by the name Bob and kept calling you that on the air, and covered his ass by saying it was your middle name, and hence Andy Bob. Of such things, legends are born.

I heard a few years ago that you were in tv in Knoxville, and have tried to look you up on the internet to no avail. In fact, weren't you doing weather at one time, when you were in Meridian? I considered some years ago, and my son Garrett still has a wish for himself, to go to Miss. State's weather program and follow in the footsteps of James Spann (the weather-meister out of Birmingham).

I'm on the road tomorrow and Friday for an interview in Jackson, courtesy of Rusty, the consultant. High hopes with his recommendation, but we'll see...don't want to count chickens before the eggs are hatched, you know.

I do expect somewhere we'll hook up for those beers. Count on it, brother. We got a lot of old stories to laugh about. You know when my twins were born (babies #3 and 4), the staff at 'KOR gave me a box rubbers...and it's worked. I didn't have any more babies. Funny thing is, I still have those rubbers.

Russ L.

 

[Bob Y.]

Hey Russ,

If you become extremely bored and have visited damn near every website available, here is where I be.

http://www.volunteertv.com/station/bios/news/3768952.html

I did weather in Meridian for a short time, then moved into the news department. The weather gig started as a part-time weekend shift, while I worked at Q101, and helped me make the move from radio to tv. I've been in Knoxville for about ten years. Man, time flies.

Good luck with the job interviews. I remember the "rubbers" gift and, for some reason, I'm pretty sure Hudson had a hand in the idea. Sorry to hear you still have them....

Bob Y.

 

[Russ L.]

Went to the website...man, you've changed so much since your college days. You look like a tv guy! Kudos in the ten years and going strong part, too. Getting out of the radio cycle is the best thing you ever did. I always thought it would be worse, since there are fewer tv stations, but the longevity more than makes up for it. I also didn't foresee the world of consolidation reducing the number of station owners to only 2 in a market, or one in most smaller market cases.

One of things I've contemplated for my waning years is finish a degree and become a teacher, sinctructor, perhaps even a professor at the college level...teaching radio, communications, etc... In the many smaller markets I've worked in, I've had to be more of a teacher than a preacher, and that's one of the things I enjoy.

I read on here that Don Vaughn is an instructor now at State, and that's rekindled some of my thoughts in that direction. Just got be able to settle down and do it. Casey pushed me for a few years, wanting me to graduate from 'Bama with her last year. She still needles me about from way down in savannah.

 

[tbarber]

hey do you guys remember when Hudson would just drop his pants in the middle of the hall and start tucking his (short sleeve) dress shirt in.... didn't matter who was standing there...... and I vividly remember him filling his garage with dozens of cases of old coke when the new coke came out..... I learned a lot about radio and life from him.

And Bob, I agree with Russ.... you look like a TV guy.... you always were the stud.... what was that a 300z you used to drive..... looks like you are aging well.

If you want to see the opposite, go to www.bamacountry989.com and click on the advertising section.... the old 225lb fart is me.

It's nice reliving some of those memories.... things have sure changed.

BTW, I have a 15 year old that works part time running the board for ball games.

Terry

 

[tzbarber]

Last time I saw Bob, he had dropped by Q-101 and was about to leave for Knoxville. He was beaming. Glad it's worked out for ya,Mr.Y. As for the 15 year old youngun working part-time for the BamaCountry big guy,seems I remember another teenager getting his start running the automation for Larry Fuss. The wheel keeps on turning.

tb(the other one)

 

[Bob Y.]

Hey! The Barber brothers! Good to hear from you both. Holy crap Terry, I laughed out loud at the story of Hudson tucking in his shirt. How could anyone forget that...not sure I knew about his hoarding old Coke though. I don't doubt it for one second.

Reading the "rubber" story from Russ reminds me of a classic Husdon comment. We had a group of about three or four of us that would go to the dogtrack in Eutaw, Alabama on a regular basis. On one such trip, Hudson...out of nowhere and in all seriousness....said, "Does anyone know the shelf life of condoms?" Once we quit laughing at the comment, we started giving him grief about having condoms so long that you worry about their expiration date. He was truly one of a kind.

 

[Russ L.]

OK, after Bob's post, I had to go dig up the old briefcase in the garage and find the aforementioned rubbers. Opened one up, and it's still...uh, moist. With lubricant, that is. So, in case the question comes up again, I can say from July 1988 to this day is the longest shelf life I know of. This is getting sick, huh.

When I first started at 'KOR, somebody (think it was Terry) told me that if Hudson made fun of you, it meant he liked you. I went 2 weeks, amd nothing. Nada. So, I asked Dennis if he had any problem with me, being new and all. He sure was puzzled by my question; I explained it a couple of years later and he about fell out laughing about it.

 

[JackMehuff]

Russ L where are you? Smokin Joe In Memphis [email protected]

 

[Russ L.]

Smokin' Joe! I've been looking for you! I called your station (old station?) in Memphis and the foreign sounding girl who answered didn't know who you were. I thought maybe you weren't smokin' anymore

I've been in Jackson, MS as PD WUSJ for about two weeks...got zapped by CC in the Oct 31st mass exodus. They keep screwing up by losing people like me!

I was lucky and only on the market less than two weeks. God bless Rusty Walker!

I'm gonna email you!

 

[graceunlimited]

Wow! The KOR days. What great memories. Mr. Grace here, checking in from Lower Alabama. Spent about 3 hours visiting with TB in Montgomery yesterday. We spent most of that time sharing KOR stories and he directed me to this post. I can't tell you how fondly I remember those days. Hudson was absolutely the most influential "radio" person I've ever had in my life...and you might could drop the "radio" part of that phrase and still be accurate. At a time when I was trying to figure out how to be a husband, father, and radio professional...not necessarily in that order...his talent and inspiration made such a huge impact on me. During our time yesterday, TB called him a "mentor." That certainly applies for me...and I'm sure for countless others fortunate enough to know him.

To Andy-Bob...great to see you and catch up a bit at Hudson's service. And wasn't it perfect! Those TV4 out-takes, bloopers, and actual on-air "zingers" were pure Hudson. I told TB yesterday...my days working across the glass from Dennis were probably the most "fun" I've ever had in the business, but our days doing the morning show might have been some of the "best" radio I've been a part of. I've still got tapes of our "Geek in the Street" bits...Carl the Engineer...BAHK-BAHK-BAHK, McChicken Sandwich (to the tune of In The Mood)...a dramatic reading of Green Eggs and Ham during National Library Week. I was never, ever close to being Hudson, but sitting in his booth trying to fill his role was a blast!

To Russ...the same goes for you. I know we had our differences in the day, but I owe you thanks for bringing me back to the KOR family after 3 years in Tupelo. Sorry to hear of your recent fall-out with CC, but there aren't many of us who have been a part of the "big" groups who haven't felt their sting at one point or another. As you said in your post...family matters most...and I'm thrilled to hear your kids are doing so well. I too, was at KOR when all 3 of my kids were born. I sincerely wish you and yours the very best.

TB...can't thank you enough for all your time yesterday. As much as I enjoyed your Hudson stories...his dropping "trou" to tuck in his shirt, to buying up every can of "real" Coke he could find...I was even more inspired by the update on you, Margaret, and your 3 fantastic boys. So happy to see you all doing so well!

As for us...Carol Ann and I will celebrate our 25th anniversary in June. Nice to know I did something right when I was 21 years old! We've been here in Daphne/Mobile for 15 years now. Linsey will turn 20 in May, a sophomore in Interior Design at Auburn, 3.69 GPA through 3 semesters. Daniel hits 18 in June, trying to decide whether to follow his sister or spend a year close to home here at the University of South Alabama. He gave up sports for the guitar about 5 years ago, leads the Youth Praise & Worship Team at church and plays alongside former 4Him member Mark Harris every Sunday during Adult Services. Check out the photo gallery at http://www.bay-community.com/min_music.shtml#. That's him playing the red electric! Matthew will turn 16 next week. A skateboard/camera buff who's pretty awesome with both. Also our comedian who helps keep CA and I laughing and at least "feeling" young.

On the radio side, I fell into the sports end of the business about 12 years ago. OM'd at SportsRadio 105.5 WNSP for almost 5 years before being "let go" on Tuesday, January 2, 2000. Spent a day thinking, planning, and praying...then formed Grace Unlimited Media Productions, LLC on 1/4/2000. Have done production and syndication of my own projects ever since...everything from JUCO basketball to a host of assorted minor league franchises in Mobile. Lucky enough to work with Kenny Stabler, Mike Gottfried, Danny Sheridan and others. Currently own 2 major projects that take up most of my time. The College Football Radio Network produces the national broadcasts for the GMAC Bowl and the Mid-American Conference Championship Game. Actually did a full season of D1 games back in '04...mainly ACC, Big 12, and SEC...NC State at Va Tech, Tenn @ GA, Texas Tech at OK, Clemson at Miami, Nebraska at Kansas State, GA/FLA from The Cocktail Party in Jacksonville, Missouri at Texas, Georgia at Auburn, Auburn at Alabama. It was an absolute blast. Just didn't sell enough advertising to keep it going, but hope to bring it back somewhere down the line. My other focus is the AHSAA Radio Network, which produces some 50+ championship broadcasts a year for the Alabama High School Athletic Association. Check out our daily 3-minute feature, "The AHSAA Today", now on 40 stations around the state and online at http://www.ahsaa.com/AHSAA_Today/. Sure beats working for a living!

As for the old KOR family. Here's what I know about a few...

JT...John Thomas Williamson...doing very well with the SuperTalkFM group based in Jackson. Also does pre-game/post-game stuff with the MSU Bulldog Sports Network, for which I am VERY jealous!

Keith Miller...doing mornings as "Madison" at KRPI/San Diego. http://www.authenticrock.com/

Jim Scott & Dana Minifield...saw at Hudson's funeral. Both still at TV4 at that time.

Cherry and Jennifer...also at Hudson's service and both looking great.

After that, I've lost track...but here's some other names.

Chuck Cooper...owner when I was hired in '81.
Mike Blakeney...PD who hired me from nights at SSO.
Glenn James...
Don Vaughn...
Marty ??? (with the Party)...
Jay Harder...
Gary Owen...

Man. Here's to the pulled-pork plate at Little Dooey's and the cheese soup at Harvey's!

Look us up if you ever come south!

MG

 

[oldiesstation]

thanks MG for the update and letting us know how things are and that my old freind keith Miller is still rockin in San Diego.We had a blast at the old Z100 Columbus years ago.i'll have to give him a call.all the best to you former KOR guys, gosh wasn't radio alot more FUN back then??Ray Fisher.John Eric Stevenson also sends a big Hello...

 

[Russ L.]

Good to hear it's going well, Mike. I got wind somewhere in the grapevine that you were doing something sports related. I knew that was one of your passions. It was a Joe Lee passion, too.

Speaking of Joe Lee, Dr. John Anthony set up a lunch with Joe not long after I got here to Jackson, but didn't tell Joe who it was. First time I've ever been a mystery guest! I warned that Joe might hit me, since I was the one who had to cut him loose at 'KOR way back when. But, seriously....it was a good day. Joe has published a couple of books and started his own publishing company here in Jackson working with some other young authors. Good guy.

As for any differences, I have a short memory in that department...and a long memory of the good times. It's better that way. radio...or life...is too short for anything else.

Here are a couple of more names to jog your mind........Bobby Berry, sales guy. I ran into him a few years ago when i did the classic rock stint at 99.9 in Columbus, and he didn't even remember me. Must be the drugs!

And then there's Joey T., since Ray mentioned Z-100. He started as afternoons at Catfish Country in Tuscaloosa last August. He was still there when I evacuated T-town in November. I worked with him at a couple of places over the years.

And does anybody remember David Vise/Mark Sebastian/Yogi? He had a ghostly encounter when we worked together at WWZD, Tupelo......and it was a life-changing experience. (not kidding, a real ghost. Olen Booth and I were both there that night). He's now an ordained minister, last I heard serving the good lord up in Montana or somewhere like that.

 

[oldiesstation]

hey russ l, bobby berry is gm at channel 4.always liked dr john and joe lee.give them my best.joey t,the world's oldest living brain donor,use to play the heck out of bad to the bone, had to threaten him with dismissal once over that.yogi,what a mess he was, a real pack rat if you know what i mean,sticky fingers.dennis hudson,now there was a class act and tv 4 lost a good anchor when he left.you know the triangle has had a lot of talented radio people.got to hear keith miller the otherday on the net.same ole keith,great pipes.you guys hang out and have fun.i see happy butch now and then, the world's oldest living teenager,just a great guy,one heck of a golfer.ray fisher

 

[Kevin James]

I have really enjoyed reading all these posts about the 'old' KOR days. I have actually met and worked w/ a few of you guys. Of course I remember Terry B. and Marc Sebastian/David Vise/Yogi from my days at WWZD in Tupelo first and foremost ('89,'90) and worked w/ Marc again (and Terry) at KOR (K94.9) in the early 90's. Worked all too briefly w/ Bob Yarber and Mike Grace at 92KOR too. They probably don't remember me, but I was treated to these stories and 'legends' long after they were gone.

Working in radio was one of the best experiences I have ever had.....I still miss it. I can still remember trying to hone my on-air skills trying to sound like Marc, Mike, and Jim Scott at different times. And John Thomas! I still remember his voice and delivery. Sounded great doing his Classic Sunday show. I always tried to copy the things that Marc and Jim did w/ production! They were phenomenal! It's a shame that I didn't know some of these other guys/gals. They sound like a hoot! I still run in to Jim S. every once in a while. He finally got married - think that lasted about 5 yrs. See Olen B. every now and again - I speak to him sometimes and he is very nice, but he hasn't a clue who I am

Thanks to all of you for your part (although you didn't know you played one!) in one of the best times of my life!

Kevin (James) Burchfield
Starkville, MS.

 

[markoni]

Wow, sure is fun to read the comments about WKOR! I was lucky to be there when the station came on the air in August of 1968. Everything was new, the DJs (Bill Tanner, Jon Robin and Butch Luke) would do practice shows, getting ready for the FCC to give us the go ahead for the first sign on. Quite a trip!

Mark Shands
WKOR 1968-1971
[email protected]