n 1955 Jefferson Pilot Broadcasting, WBT-WBTV, moved from the Wilder building to ‘Fulfillment Hill’ on West Morehead where it still is today.
WBT signed on in 1922, like the second station in the country. It became known as the “Colossus of the South” in the 1950’s. WBTV signed on with Jim Patterson in 1949. Both stations were Charlotte and the Carolinas for many years. There was very little competition and there was an honor associated with working there. Most employees held on to their jobs for a long time.
Many of them are still around and we gathered for a reunion and birthday celebration for Fuzzy Prevatte who worked in television for a long time. About 40 former employers of JP gathered at the City Tavern in South Park for lunch and memories. The majority of them were there in the 1960’s. For a change I wasn’t the oldest person in the room. Neither was Ty Boyd, Jim Babb or Robert D. Raiford.
Raif worked at WBT in the 1950’s. I believe Doug Mayes took the age trophy. He’ll be 93 in December. So it was room full of silver haired pros who loved their community and their jobs and stuck together as a team just like they did more than 50 years ago. Have a look and enjoy.
This is the publication they distributed in 1952 on the 30th Anniversary of Radio Station WBT.
Ty Boyd, Jimmy Roy, H.A. Thompson, Sam Fuller, Jim Babb
Jim Babb, John Edwards, Hal Edwards
Birthday girl, Fuzzy Prevatte, Robert D. Raiford, Doug Mayes
John & Teresa Hutchinson, Jerry King
Barbara Connell, John Burchette, Lovell Waugh
Bud Coggins, Julian & Joan Massi (Julian was a JP employee – 45 years)
Don McDaniel, John Reichard, Paul Quinn, Barbara Conrad (the lady who brings us all together)
TO .ALL THE GREAT PEOPLE THAT HAS GAVE WE THE SO MUCH GOOD NEWS AND LOTS
OF PLEASURE I SAY THANK GOD FOR ALL OF YOUR YEARS WITH WBT I SURE MISS
UNCLE HENRY IT WOULD GREAT TO HAVE HIM TAKE THAT MORON PLACE FROM
12 TO 3 RICK FOR THE SAKE OF OUR NATION GIVE US A BRAKE 12 T0 3 AM WOULD BE GOOD.
PS HA WHY DID I NOT GET A INVITE? P-LEASE ALL SIGN http://www.veteranspetition.com
Rep Pittenger Veterans man and Senator Hagan Vets man took me My son Chuck to White House to met President Obama Vets Person after he read my 8 year project He said why has not been put law a long time ago he say i get back with you and he has. Thanks GARLAND BYE
Wow! Thanks, HAT.
I couldn’t be there, but I could feel the energy all the way to Tennessee! You all look great and you, Barbara and Lovell, you guys really look great! __Jerry
H,
Thanks for capturing the memories. We all had something special that could never be replicated in broadcast. My unbiased opinion is that no local TV Station in the country has ever, nor will ever, had/have the talent and staff we worked with at WBTV in those “Golden Years”.