 | 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
2005-02-01 11:24:00
KAKE TV
ANSWER: I have been enjoying watching the TV clips celebrating KAKE-TV's 50th Anniversary. The video clips have shown the old personalities that were there throughout the years. I especially liked the clip they shared of John Froome who was 'The' personality that everyone associated with KAKE. I was in television during the time of the start up of KAKE-TV, only I was at Channel 12. I actually became acquainted with John when he was with KANS Radio. We were both doing sports in the press box at Lawrence Stadium. We had yet to meet, but one of the announcers told me that John had listened in on my play-by-play which was broadcast on KMUW, Wichita State's station. His comment on my play-by-play was, "that guy doesn't know anything about baseball but he sure has a gift of gab"!I was fortunate to have had a chance to work with several of the personalities who were originally at KAKE-TV. Henry Harvey, who later came to Channel 12 as Elmer Fudd (a kid's show), Ollie Henry brought The Little Rascals noon show, named Ollie's Alley, to Channel 12, Graham Fletcher came from KAKE-TV to 12 and did news on Channel 12 after he was manager of KAKE Radio, and Tom Leahy, who in years earlier than KAKE-TV, had been a disc jockey on KAKE Radio. Tom did a show called Irwin's Dance Party on KAKE-TV. He was the host, along with his partner Rodney, of A Late Night Horror Show, which he brought to Channel 12. He eventually moved to Channel 3 and became well known as Major Astro. Tom and I also worked in News at a radio station named KIRL, owned by uddy Rogers and Mary Pickford. Deputy Dusty (and his band), known for his afternoon cowboy shows, joined KFDI as Farm Director while I was working there, and we worked together until his death. I have written these comments as a salute to KAKE-TV for their 50 wonderful years here in Wichita and the many friends I still have at the station.
