QZVX continues to delve into the stories shared by the Northwest Pioneer Broadcasters. These are the final notes from the 1987 banquet.
DICK WEEKS:
From the very early days most every station had their live cowboy singer. Cherokee Jack was heard on KTBI in the early 40’s and was replaced by Larry Bremmer when Dick moved to KMO with his Rhythm Riding Rangers show. It was a half hour at 5pm, live, from KMO studio B in the Keys Building.One of the best loved Tacoma radio personalities, and most talented, was Arnold Benum. Arnold did the Man On The Street program from the sidewalk in front of the Roxy Theater each day at 12:45. He did the Camarono Caravan program and was host of an afternoon popular record program. Arnold’s wife was Marion Kay, (Lee Hale’s cousin). Marion came to KMO as Carl Haymond’s secretary and to help Arnold on the Saturday kids show.
Anyone who heard Tacoma radio from the late 40’s on knew the name and voice of Burt McMurtrie and his familiar noon time opening for It Seems To Me.
To say that Burt was opinionated would be an understatement. In the early days of the CBS Radio Network in New York, Burt was in the programming department. In the late 40’s he came out to Tacoma to look after an ailing aunt and began a half hour breakfast interview program from the Winthrop Hotel on KTBI and his daily 15 minute news commentary during the noon hour. He moved from KTBI to KMO and then Jerry Geehan bought KTBI and Burt moved over with him.
Burt’s announcer in the 50’s was usually Gene Wagner. Gene attended WSU and came to KMO in 1950 and was the announcer frequently on KMO’s popular Mighty Mike program.
KMO, KVI, and KTBI when it was full time; all did a great deal of local sports. Harry P. Cain did baseball on KMO before he became Mayor. Because he was so well known, he ran for the Senate and won. Bill Rhodes, who did a program for the Bon Marche Department Store, changed his air name to Bill O’Mara. Clay Huntington and Don McCroskey did sports on KTBI. Bob Fields was famous for his hockey broadcasts on KMO. Larry Huesby did play by play sports on KMO and later KVI. The last two sports announcers on KMO were Rod Belcher and Bob Robertson.
There is a well known radio and television personality who is not an announcer or a newsman. He is a KMO salesman. But first he was a musician. His name is Wendall Kinney. His program on KMO was “Patterns In Black and White.”
While on the subject of PEOPLE, there are two who’s names come to mind first when one thinks of Tacoma radio. June Forman is a KMO institution. She started working at KMO in the 40’s and is still there day. Everyone knew and liked June. She has put up with more owners and managers than any other single person in Tacoma radio.
Practically everyone who ever worked in Tacoma radio has worked with Jerry Geehan at one time or another. As you may remember, Jerry was hard of hearing. Unfortunately, Jerry has totally lost his hearing. For that reason, and we certainly understand, he sent his best wishes to all of us; but for physical reasons simply could not join us in person.
CHUCK MORRIS:
KMO-TV was dubbed, Lucky Channel 13. Carl Haymond applied for the station and after the freeze on television stations imposed by the FCC was lifted. Carl received his construction permit without any competition. That was about the last time anyone applied for a low television channel without having to go through a full blown hearing in order to get it. Maybe that’s where the Lucky Channel 13 came from.
Television networks were already coast to coast and Carl knew that in early television a network affiliation would be VERY important just as it was in radio. So, Carl went to New York to see Miles Trammle, Chairman of the Board of NBC, and Mr. McConnell who was President of NBC; and convinced them that KMO should have a basic affiliation with NBC.
Some of the staff stayed with Elroy at when KMO TV became KTVW, but most went to Seattle. With both KOMO and KIRO coming on the air; people experienced in television were in great demand. Bill Shine went to KING, Hal Willard went to KIRO, Cliff Campbell went to KTNT-TV, as did Tom Read, Bob Robertson, and many others. I went to KIRO and have been there ever since.
