I didn’t know it until the other day, but January 20th of each year is National Disc Jockey Day. WOW! I wanted to be one of those when I got out of high school. I got to thinking of disc jockeys and I went back in my memory and I tried to remember some of the ones that I knew, that I worked with, knowing they probably had an affect on my life in some way, shape or form.
I remember a guy from, where was he, Tennessee I think, named J. R. Beavers. Richard Osborne was an engineer. Ben White from Dumas, Texas. I worked with Ben for a couple or three years before he moved back home. Don Newberry was not a disc jockey but when I started in radio he had been on the radio for two or three years and he did a sports cast every day. Do you know what he closed with? “If you can’t play a sport you can be one.” I love that! Anyway Don was terrific in anything he ever did. Riney Jordan was with KEAN radio through high school and years after that. He was an unbelievable talent. Then he came where I was at KBWD for a couple of years, a talented guy and proved it later on in life that he was talented in more ways than one. I loved a guy named Jack Marshall. Eddie Clements – Ed Clements, Austin Texas and he’s still there. He was one of the more talented people I’ve ever known. Allen Beadle is still around. He was in news and did a disc jockey bit ever once in a while. He’s still very active. Scott Smith – I loved Scott and was with him for many years. He’s passed away now. Martin Perry came to work. His dad had connections and Martin had connections through his dad. I thought it was just, you know, just a “it’s my son” so they’re getting a job but Martin was different. He was flat TALENTED! I know several years ago he was in the final two for the PA job – the public address job – at Jerry World, where the Dallas Cowboys play. Martin Perry was in the final two. He lost out on that but he would have been absolutely terrific! Bob James I worked with and Bob was a great disc jockey. Brian Wade worked with him and I just loved Brian. Loved him. He passed away a few years ago. My buddy, Carl Wayne, talented – extremely talented! Worked with a guy way back named Ray Welch. I don’t even know if Ray is around anymore, but you talk about talent – he had some! Then Jim Pruett may be the most talented I ever worked with. Went big time, Chicago, LA, ended up in Houston. Unbelievable talent. Joe Gwathamy, the big voice and a pretty good guy. Jim Willet was a great talent, could do anything. Then, that engineer – Jimmy Laird. I love Jimmy! Jimmy was great and had a great boat and he let me borrow it on several occasions. He liked to fish and I loved to fish. He could jock on the radio, believe it or not, but he was an engineer like few have ever been. One of the best I’ve ever known.
I could list many more, but I’m through….for now.
Until next time, so long everybody.
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‘Out of the Box’ with Dallas Huston is published each Monday morning at BrownwoodNews.com. Dallas was the radio voice of the Brownwood Lions and Howard Payne Yellow Jackets for more than 55 years. He currently is Pastor of Center City Baptist Church and hosts a Men’s Bible Study in Brownwood on Monday evenings. Your comments are welcome at [email protected]