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Reflections on Deacon Richmond Davis, from his daughter Ophelia George
Ms Ophelia Davis George (b. Nov 9, 1929, d. Mar 25, 2005), daughter of gospel broadcaster Deacon Richmond Davis (b. abt 1904, d. abt 1967). Davis began his gospel broadcasting in Birmingham in 1939 on WBRC, forerunner of WERC (960 AM), and was…
Manuel Fitch, Oral History
Manuel Fitch (MF) – long time gospel announcer currently on WJLD Radio AM 1400 and 94.1 FM, on Saturday mornings from 6-8AM. Manuel began working in Birmingham radio in the 1970’s and shared his recollections and stories from his scrapbook pictures.…
Ben Franklin, Oral History (part 01)
Ben Franklin (b. March 12, 1919, Lees Vernon Parish, LA; d. May 10, 1998, Calera, AL) was a radio electronics engineer and eventually a station owner (WBYE in Calera) with a 60 year history in the field. He turned the transmitter of WJLD AM 1400 on…
Reflections on Perry "Tiger" Thompson from his daughter, Lydia Thompson
Lydia Thompson, eldest daughter of Perry “Tiger” Thompson, interviewed by telephone over two days regarding Tiger’s history. Ms. Thompson was at home in Bessemer during the call. Tiger Thompson was a radio announcer at WAPI, WBCO, WJLD and WEDR, a…
Arnold Dwight “Gatemouth” Moore, Oral History
Arnold Dwight “Gatemouth” Moore - (b. Nov 8, 1913, d. May 19, 2004) one of the most daring of the radio announcers of the 1950’s, Moore was a blues singer in the 1930’s and 40’s and a gospel singer, minister and radio announcer in the 50’s, in…
Eddie Castleberry, 1997 Oral History
Eddie Castleberry (b.Jul 28, 1928, d.Jan 23, 2009), veteran Birmingham broadcaster, interviewed at his home in New York City by phone by Bob Friedman on Jan 3, 1997
Walter Anglin, Oral History
Walter Anglin, “the Midnight Mover Groover” accompanied by his wife Nora, discuss his early history in Birmingham Black radio.
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.
Ed "Johnny Jive" McClure, Oral History
Edward McClure (b. Jun 23, 1923, d. Sep 17, 2009), known on the air as “Johnny Jive,” music jock and school teacher, 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…
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.