Seems like late July has been a time of the year when big transitions have happened in my career over the years. The first one was in July 1979. At the time, I was working at WHHY-FM radio in Montgomery (Y-102), doing the afternoon shift and just enjoying life as a 23 year old. I had gotten into television the prior year, in 1978, at WCFT-TV (Channel 33) in Tuscaloosa, and then I moved on to WSFA-TV, Channel 12, in Montgomery. I never figured I was a “TV person”, and when I had an opportunity to get back into radio I jumped on it in the spring of 1979 at Y-102. The summer of 1979 was a ton of fun; playing cool music on the radio in the afternoon, and then getting off work at 7:00 p.m. That was the last summer in my life when I was able to sleep a normal amount!
But, in July of 1979, I received a call from the news director of the NBC TV affiliate in Birmingham, Wendell Harris. Wendell wanted me to come up and interview for their weeknight weather job. Being the biggest weather freak in Alabama at the time, I jumped on that, and within a couple of weeks I was hired, and the long TV weather career was launched. I somehow doubt that move will ever happen again; moving from a radio station in Montgomery to the main weather anchor for a big network affiliate in Birmingham.
Then, in late July 1984, I got a call from the CEO of Channel 13’s parent company, Times Mirror Broadcasting, letting me know I was being promoted to their largest station in the chain, KDFW-TV in Dallas. I flew to Dallas the next day, signed a contract, and I was on the air two days later as the primary weather anchor on the weeknight newscasts. Another unusual move, but I enjoyed the time in Dallas and I will never have to wonder what it is like in a top 10 market. I have been there, done that.
I sure hope the phone doesn't ring this July... I have no desire to go anywhere else, and I am hoping my next "move" will be to Elmwood. But, you never know in this crazy business. I just hope I have the chance to stay here at ABC 33/40 and retire when the time is right. Can't be really soon, however, since we have an 8 year old to get through college!
But, in July of 1979, I received a call from the news director of the NBC TV affiliate in Birmingham, Wendell Harris. Wendell wanted me to come up and interview for their weeknight weather job. Being the biggest weather freak in Alabama at the time, I jumped on that, and within a couple of weeks I was hired, and the long TV weather career was launched. I somehow doubt that move will ever happen again; moving from a radio station in Montgomery to the main weather anchor for a big network affiliate in Birmingham.
Then, in late July 1984, I got a call from the CEO of Channel 13’s parent company, Times Mirror Broadcasting, letting me know I was being promoted to their largest station in the chain, KDFW-TV in Dallas. I flew to Dallas the next day, signed a contract, and I was on the air two days later as the primary weather anchor on the weeknight newscasts. Another unusual move, but I enjoyed the time in Dallas and I will never have to wonder what it is like in a top 10 market. I have been there, done that.
I sure hope the phone doesn't ring this July... I have no desire to go anywhere else, and I am hoping my next "move" will be to Elmwood. But, you never know in this crazy business. I just hope I have the chance to stay here at ABC 33/40 and retire when the time is right. Can't be really soon, however, since we have an 8 year old to get through college!
on July 21, 2006, 6:49 am
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