A Little Piece of Texarkana Broadcast History [PHOTOS]

Over the weekend I was cleaning out some drawers and I happened to run across an old photograph of sign that stood in front of the old Smith building located downtown across from the original St. Michael Hospital. This was a marquee sign that we used to promote ourselves or radio station I was working for KOSY AM 790 back in the day.  I want to say that was back in the mid 70s because I was working at the radio station during that time.I thought I would never say it but thank God for digital billboards because it was a pain to have to change the sign every week one of my duties back then. I posted the picture on my Facebook page and immediately starting receiving feedback from friends, co-workers and fans about the building where the sign was located. The building which was originally an old medical building still had old medical equipment stored upstairs, which by the way was a little creepy at night. I swear when I used to work there late at night, I used to hear footsteps and something dragging across the floor. However, one of the things I do remember about upstairs was a room that was dedicated to storing all the vinyl records and albums that the radio station received over the years. There were so many albums that they were stacked all the way to the ceiling. The best part about working there was the fact that it was located right across the street from Guy's Orange home of the Texas Burger and great chili dogs.

Here's a photo of me and Steve Campbell doing a remote broadcast at McDonald's. Notice the hair, bell bottoms and TG&Y in the background.

Unfortunately, the radio station was destroyed by a fire in the mid 80s and was eventually torn down. But the memories, good times, and friends I take away from that building are priceless. Afterall, that was the beginning of my radio career. Even though I left Texarkana for Hot Springs in 1991 to follow my dream, I eventually made it back to my hometown in Sept. 2001, where I continue talking on the radio today. Who would have thought that I would have come full circle and wind up on the station I worked for long ago thanks to Loveable Larry Kent my mentor, coach and friend who gave me my first big break and gave me the chance to come back home. Life is funny and no one can predict the future, but I thank God everyday for the opportunity to live out my dream and do what I love doing. So if I can brighten your day by saying something on the radio, or do something in our community that helps make a difference, then I did my job.

Here are a few comments from my Facebook page.