 | Faye Graves, a native Wichitan, attended school at Friends and Wichita State, concluding at Midwestern Theological Seminary. He has been active in media for many years with Channel 12, KIRL, KFDI, KOOO AM & FM (Omaha), KFRM & KICT 95, as an owner, manager, producer, director and announcer. He has served as President of the Haysville Board of Education. He has also served on several national boards of the Southern Baptist Convention. Faye currently serves as Executive Pastor and Director of Administration and Education at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 S. Topeka, Wichita. You may contact Faye by e-mail fmgraves@amenibc.org, or by phone at (316) 262-1452. |
Nostalgia
2004-07-01 10:05:00
They were stars!
: Who were some of the local radio personalities in the 40's and 50's?
ANSWER: I received many emails and responses on last month's column regarding Wichita's first radio station. Thank for you interest. I mentioned that we would look at some of the personalities that were dominant during the 40's and 50's when radio was King.First, lets go to 1330, KFH. Ethel Jane King was one of the first lady broadcasters. She, as with most of the folks back then, had a very unique voice and presented programs that were of interest to women. Also included in the line up was Don Anderson, who was Master of Ceremonies for the Ark Valley Boys and also a DJ, and of course the familiar voice of George Wells who hosted Party Line, a favorite late night show. There was Bill and Doreen Post who featured music by singing and offering interesting conversation, and in later years, the Morning Mayor, Johnny Merrill and his weatherman Cecil Carrier.Moving to KFBI, was Bob Gadburry, a voice familiar to Wichita, and Henry Harvey who later became a TV personality as Freddy Fudd, Mack Sanders and The Ranch Boys (always entertaining!), and at night, easy listening and the soft presentation of Jack Campbell.Moving to KWBB, the news voice of Jim Setters, who created Street News in Wichita, and Wichita's first (and at that time the highest rated) country DJ Lee Nichols. He had the ear of the country fans, as did John Campbell, another favorite.On KAKE radio, you could hear the voice of Bill Young in the afternoons, and one of Wichita's favorite personalities (even up to the present time) Tom Leahy, the man that had the only prime time record show, Irwin's Dance Party at 7 p.m. daily. He was also to become a favorite on TV, as he went on to become the personality and host of the Major Astro show. Then there was a standout news announcer who did the ten o'clock edition, Graham Fletcher, who was also the General Manager.At KANS, you could hear John Froome, a very creative announcer that later actually gave birth to many of the programs on KAKE TV, DJ's Bob Hicks and Stan Hagan, and their news personalities, and George Gow, a well known voice here in the city that was heard on several other stations.I know there were many other greats that we will bring to your attention in future publications. These names will bring back pleasant memories to many of you.
