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Dear Editor:
I have procrastinated for a month about writing this letter because most Blount Countians don’t care about one of their “lost” icons. The more I debated the more it occurred to me that if I didn’t write the letter I would betray those of us who had the privilege of contributing to this former beacon of entertainment and information.
August 13, 2007, marked the 60th anniversary of WGAP’s existence. It went on the air August 13, 1947. Until its unfortunate move to far west Knoxville several years ago it provided a daily dose of music and news to its thousands of faithful listeners.
To start mentioning specific personalities will get me in trouble because space does not permit a complete list. But let me just mention a few who come to mind right off the bat. How many of us grew up listening to the play-by-play of Ken Kribbs or the hilarious happenings around the Pistol Creek Country Club and its host, “Pistol” Pete Williams? Then there was Piano Informalities with Carl (Wells) and Ruthie (Beaver).
Other past notables include: Grand Ole Opry regular Jack Green; Fred Rose and Steve Corbett. It was Corbett’s father, Frank, who eventually acquired sole ownership of WGAP which Steve later inherited.
There are some WGAP “graduates” still in the broadcast industry today. Former Program Director Randy Pruitt is a TV News anchor in Louisiana. Walker Johnson went on to great success in Knoxville as part of the CP and Walker show. Former morning deejays Ed Rupp and Bob Bell work in Knoxville; one of my best friends and former colleague, Ken Schwall, continues to share his humor at WBIR TV.
There are two people who I think really made WGAP the success it enjoyed before its ill-fated demise several years ago. Thank you, Harry Plumlee and son, Norman, for all you helped us accomplish. And thank you, the listeners, for welcoming us into your homes.
During the 30 plus years I was a part of the WGAP family I got to meet people I wouldn’t have, if not for a radio career. While the news business was very competitive in the 70’s and 80’s the friendships I developed will stay with me forever. As a personal note to The Daily Times family let me mention three: Dean Stone, Adele McKenzie and Anna Irwin. Dean always told I was doing a good job (although I always suspected it was because he was one of my Sunday school teachers).
“Miss Adele” explained to a rookie radio news reporter how local government works (or is supposed to work).
Anna and I covered many of the same stories. Even though she had more space for her stories than I did, I knew if my basic details matched hers I got it right. I never thought of Anna as a competitor but only a friend who worked for the newspaper. I never saw her when the first thing she would always ask me was: “How are Linda and the girls?” referring to my family.
These are my heroes. Happy belated birthday, WGAP!
In the words of Bob Hope’s theme song: “Thanks For The Memories.”
Glenn Morton
1418 Anderson Ave.
Maryville, TN 37803