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Rick Upshaw, Oral History
Rick Upshaw was born and raised in Chattanooga and is a graduate of Howard School. Rick Upshaw was also a talented singer and was quite an expert at piano and organ. He began his musical studies at the Ken Keese Studios in Chattanooga and studied as…
Jesse Champion, Oral History
Jesse Champion (b. Aug 27, 1927, d.Nov 2, 2007), announcer WJLD/WERC – 1954-63/1970-90 Jesse Champion relates his history at WJLD 1400, and an incident that involved him during the Civil Rights upheaval of 1963. Jesse was well known in Birmingham,…
Joe Lackey, Oral History
Joe Lackey (b. Aug 3, 1922, d.May 29, 2009), General Manager at WENN 1958-76. Part owner, WATV Birmingham. Joe reflects on his early career and on the 1963 Civil Rights Movement.
Sonrose Rutledge, Oral History
Sonrose Rutledge (b. Oct 15, 1937), Alabama broadcaster starting his career at WBCO, then WENN, WEDR and ending it at WEUP Huntsville. He then pursued a radio career in Louisiana.
Erskine Faush, Oral History
Rev. Erskine Faush (b. Dec 2, 1931, d. April 25, 2020), Gospel Radio Announcer, 1951-2016. Radio Pioneer joining his brother William at WBCO, Bessemer and then moving to WENN Radio in 1958 and WATV in 1976, where he became part owner with Shelley…
Billy Evans, Oral History
Billy Cliff Evans (b. Dec 12, 1924, d. Apr 5, 2004), announcer at WJLD in the mid 1940’s. Billy shares recollections of early broadcasting from Bessemer radio stations. Became treasurer of the Bessemer History Center.
Bruce Payne, Oral History
Bruce Payne (b. 1930, d. October 6, 2005) Birmingham Broadcaster from the early 1950's. Born in Jackson, MS and began his broadcasting career briefly at WVIM Vicksburg and then moved to Bessemer at WBCO. He made the transition to early WENN Radio in…
Ed "Johnny Jive" McClure, Oral History
Edward McClure (EM) (b. Jun 23, 1923, d. Sep 17, 2009) music jock and school teacher known on the air as “Johnny Jive” beginning his career at WBCO, Bessemer in 1952, at WENN for a short time in the late 50’s and then, WJLD until 1969. A master of…
Shelley Stewart, Oral History
Shelley Stewart, pioneer Birmingham disc jockey and announcer, reflects on his career in Birmingham radio beginning with WBCO and WEDR in 1952, then WENN, then WJLD, then WENN, then part owner of WATV. Retired from radio in 1999.
Gene Newman, Oral History
Gene Newman, owner of WBEZ and WSMQ, began his career in the 1950’s. Discusses the frequency swaps between WEZB and WBCO that created WENN 1320 and WYAM 1450 in 1958.