In August of 1965, I go from Jim Diamond to RJ Kight, and move to Memphis Tennesse, in order to further my radio education at the Keegan Technical Institute. One of the instructors, Memphis radio veteran Bill Trotter, helped me in getting a weekend job at WMQM. This was my first experience in playing easy listening music from LP's. A few months later, the station changes to Country Music, and now I'm also working 4-6 AM weekdays. On June 6th 1966, I receive the most unusual telephone call that I'll ever receive. The day before, Sunday, June 5th 1966, James Meredith was wounded as he lead a march for voter registration, approximately 23 miles south of Memphis. On the day after the shooting, around 5 A.M., the phone rings and I answer it to hear....... Hello, this is Peter Jennings of ABC Radio News. James Meredith will be holding a news conference from his hospital room today, and we were wondering if your station would be responsible for sending us that audio...I explained to Mr. Jennings that I was only a part timer and that he needed to call the program director. I gave him that number, Mr. Jennings said thank you and that was that. Until about 15 minutes later. All of a sudden, our massive control room door SLAMMS open. The program director steps in and wildly looks at me, "GUESS WHO I JUST TALKED TO ON THE PHONE!?!" I replied calmly," Peter Jennings..." He yells, "NO - PETER JENNINGS!!!!! HOW DID YOU KNOW???" I again replied calmly while checking the program schedule, "I gave him your number". YOU TALKED TO HIM TOO, OH MY GOD" And he left as fast as he came in, still wearing his raincoat - over his pajamas. (I guess that even radio network people have fans!)I then later moved back to Charleston and continued my radio career there.
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