Grad Profile Leaderboard

The best radio reception

by | Dec 1, 2022 | Latest, Opinion

It was Flag Day 1987. I was opening the mic for the first time as a new announcer on KTBB AM 600. It was the early part of my radio journey, and I was excited to be moving up in the industry.

KTBB was the second radio station to be licensed in Tyler, Texas. A station located at 1490 on the dial was the first, but KTBB would ultimately dominate the market. A strong award-winning news department, excellent on-air talent, and a good sales team complimented the fact the station was locally owned, so it was programmed for the benefit of East Texans.

I served as the station’s sports director and did an afternoon talk show. After a couple of years there, I moved on to KNUE, where I would finish my radio career.

But radio is a small family, and 35 years later I wasn’t forgotten when a big event took place. The owner of KTBB, Paul Gleiser, told me that a celebration was planned and that I would be invited.

On November 10, 2022, I attended the stations’ 75th anniversary party.

I was honored. And older.

So were those I ran into. Some I hadn’t seen in decades. Others, I frequently encounter since I stayed in East Texas instead of moving to a bigger radio market, which was my original intention.

And the venue couldn’t have been more appropriate. The celebration was held at the Texas Broadcast Museum in Kilgore. The Texas Broadcast Museum features some of the earliest, rarest, and best broadcast equipment. Not just in Texas, but in the country.

Not only did some of the attendees belong in a museum (present company included), so did the equipment that’s on display. There are several historical pieces of equipment, including the TV camera that was present when Lee Harvey Oswald was shot.

But there’s more than broadcasting equipment. Different models of radios and television sets are represented, all the way from the beginnings of each medium, through the 1970s and 80s.

By John Moore

To Login to read the full story or to subscribe, visit https://publisher.etype.services/Farmersville-Times

Grad Profile Leaderboard

0 Comments

Subscribe 300x250 - Love

Related News

What a trip

What a trip

Traveling isn't columnist John Moore's favorite activity. He's pictured here with his father on a camping trip circa 1966. Courtesy John Moore Bruce Willis ad libbed a line in Die Hard that struck a chord with me. No, not the “Yipee Ki-Yay,” line. I think...

read more
City gears up for annual Celebrate Trails Day

City gears up for annual Celebrate Trails Day

Celebrate Trails Day Saturday, April 26, at the Chaparral Trail Head. A group bike ride, open to all ages, is scheduled to leave the Onion Shed at approximately 9:30 a.m. Community members are invited to hit the trail and celebrate the outdoors during the annual...

read more
Potential emergency services district outlined

Potential emergency services district outlined

Commissioner Darrell Hale, center, speaks to residents who live within the ETJ about the formation of an emergency services district at a meeting Monday, April 14 at the fire station. A panel of four leaders responded to questions about the formation of an emergency...

read more
Early voting starts April 22

Early voting starts April 22

Residents from Collin County cities with upcoming general elections will head to the polls later this month to begin the early voting process to elect city council members and Collin College trustees in contested races. The first day of early voting is Tuesday, April...

read more
Final scores for week of April 7-12

Final scores for week of April 7-12

Farmersville's Alicia West and the Lady Farmers fell 4-2 to Caddo Mills on Tuesday, April 8. Photo by Jerry Winfrey / C&S Media From Staff Reports Final scores for games played by Farmersville from April 7-12: Friday, April 11 Baseball Farmersville 2, Community 1...

read more
Kitsch me if you can

Kitsch me if you can

Columnist John Moore grew up with yard art, and still proudly displays a concrete gargoyle out on the front porch. Photo: John Moore Pink flamingos. Chalk and concrete figures. Cast iron pots with flowers. Old school bells. Cars on blocks. The yard art of yesterday....

read more
Subscribe 300x250 - Love