It was Friday, March 8, 1946, when Meridian’s second radio station began broadcasting their signal on 1240 kilocycles with their home location for the studios and offices, being the northeast corner of 9th Street and 23rd Avenue, downtown, where WTOK-TV is now located.

The remodeled building was the former YMCA building which is part of the legendary block occupied by the Hamasa Temple (shriners) Temple Theater. The Birney Imes radio chain of Columbus had purchased the old YMCA structure and it became known as “The WMOX Building.” The new radio station was affiliated with the Mutual Broadcasting System and, of course, The Mid-South Network, a seven station network also owned by the Imes chain. They also were owners (publishers) of the Columbus Dispatch, daily newspaper. As in most cases, the new radio stations of those post war years, presented a lot of live programs, featuring hillbilly music (it was called then) with various country and bluegrass type bands. Some of those musicians and bands who gathered around to try and get sponsors and or radio time were, “Red” Stanton and his Alabama Jubilee Boys, “Smilin’ Sam” and his “Southern Melody Boys,” The “Big Diamond” (western swing band) and Sonny Burns and his “Blue Sky Cowboys,” with “Sonny” C.C. “Slim” Burns. Brother C.C. Burns is now a semi-retired minister, residing near Enterprise.

My very good friend (Danny Holloway) and I were both members of the “Burns Band” in those days of 1947, as I recall. In a few later years, in the early 1950s, Danny organized a great country/western band and most of us senior citizens will remember “Danny and the Dudes” on WTOK-TV for a number of years. Danny’s group also did some shows with his group, as I recall, on our WMOX radio — the pioneer we are honoring today on “Remember When.”

Danny Holloway will be a special live guest today on Remember When from noon-3 p.m. on AM 1010 WMOX. A number of former “Dudes” band members will be guest on the show today (by phone) such as Burt Fuller, Jimmy Crane, Holis T. Calvert and possible others. Some former radio voices are expected to be on “the air” guest also. WMOX general manager, Bill Smith, urges everyone to tune in to “Remember When” this Saturday, March 8, 2008, our 62nd year of celebration. The call in phone numbers are (601) 693-1891 or (601) 693-1010.

Co-hosts are Noel Adcock and Thelma Fitzgerald. Remember When chapter No. 203 is a copyrighted feature of Carl Fitzgerald.