In 1990, I was driving through the Carrollton,AL / Columbus,MS area & had the good fortune to have my Marantz cassette recorder wired across my car radio's speaker. While I'm sure it wasn't meant to be comedy, I snagged some of the most unique radio I've ever heard in real time. This was on AM 590. Best I can tell, this was a low budget operation. The announcer was doing spots where he not only did all three voices but the sound effects as well. I have 5 .mp3's posted at www.bob-on-the-job.com under AM 59 - 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5. The station appears to no longer exist. The whole experience painted quite a picture of a 'barely hanging on' radio facility...anyone remember this station and/or the announcer?
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WRAG 590 Carrollton, AL
- Thread starter BobOnTheJob
- Start date
WRAG "RAG RADIO 590". At one time, the flagship of the Roth E. Hook radio group of small market stations. Mr Hook (a character all to himself) was gone by the 90's but that station was always quite eclectic even from its beginnings in the early 1950's. I vividly remember Carl Saucman; announcer, salesman and manager. He was quite the character also lead a gospel singing group named Carl Saucman and The Green Valley Boys. They would also frequently perform live Saturday afternoon on WCBI-TV. That was indeed the epitome of local and live broadcasting in both mediums. I don't know who would have owned it at that time you define, but the station was eventually sold and split from its FM. I think the licence had to be forfeited along with others by Bishop Willis as a deal with the FCC to avoid loosing all of their stations over character issues.
Watt Hairston said:
Thank you. You just provided me with a great understanding. I've been away from the business for a number of years, and looking at the industry from this end of the telescope, I sometimes wonder... what ever made us think we had a career in front of us. Your description of WRAG, Mr. Hook and Mr. Saucman reminded me that when we saw that kind of showmanship and creativity in our little rural communities from THAT end of the telescope, how could we know that working in radio would not be an eternal source of fun and creativity and livelihood. Thank you.
Having did some contract work for Bishop Willis in Indiana in the 90's, it doesn't surprise me to see his name associated with WRAG. And before anyone asks, yes, I was paid every cent I was owed. The local GM took good care of me.Watt Hairston said:
Is this the multi-talented announcer on the air checks?Watt Hairston said:
It's too bad that Bob did not drive through and record from his speakers in that area in the 1950s and early 60s. During that time the local DA was Win(ton) Beaver who spoke in the Negro dialect when delivering the news and commercials accompanied by his comedic improvisations. He had a cult following at Mississippi State College during the evening broadcasts. WRAG's two co-owners were Roth Hook and W E. Farrar. It may be that the W. E. Farrar was Emmett Farrar who was the high sheriff of adjoining Noxubee County(Macon) Mississippi during that period. The Negro DJ at Macon was The Rooster--"The Rooster done told you so on the radio." Winton Beaver's widow passed away last month. She was 85 years of age, but Winton was not listed as either a survivor or deceased. Winton Beaver, Jr. was listed as deceased, while Win Beaver--her grandson, I assume--was listed as a survivor.
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