I grew up in Eastern Arkansas. I got out of the Navy in 1973 and started attending junior college in Helena and worked part time at KFFA. In January 1974 I took over the morning slot 5 to 11:30. Sonny Payne sold ads and worked on the air 11:30 to 1. During that time he did the King Buscuit Show. Once when he took a few days off I subbed for him. Years later I realized what an honor that was.
Back in the 50s and early 60s B.B. King, Ike Turner, Conway Twitty (Harold Jenkins and the Ridge Runners), Ronnie Hawkins and, of course, Elvis played live. And all of the blues greats.
I’m pretty sure KFFA was the first radio station west of the Mississippi. Very legendary. They had more records than they could store. DJ Bill Holland told me back in the 60s when he had a rock show on in the afternoon and once a month he’d announce that after school he would be throwing records out of the fourth floor window. ( We broadcast from the 4th floor of the Helena National Bank building). He said the parking lot was full.
They had all of the Sun Records 33rpm disks. Bob Wills...Bug Band...they told me I could have whatever I wanted. Stupid me, I didn’t take any. At the Delta Heritage Center they used to have a 33rpm of Elvis’ That’s Allright Mama autographed by the King. Probably still hanging on the wall.
A year or so back I stopped in to see Sonny during the show and after a while he remembered me and interviewed me on air. So glad I got to see him.
He told the story of one day during the show a man and his son were looking at pictures in the center and he and Sonny were chatting. So, Sonny told him to have a seat in front of a mic and Sonny would put him on the air.
He asked him where he was from and the man said he was from England. Sonny asked him what he did. The man said he played golf. The kid spoke up and said “He’s also a singer and musician.”
Sonny said “I didn’t get your name. What is your name?*
The man replied “Robert Plant.”. Lots of blues stars came by over the years.
The town was jumping back when I lived there. I moved away in 1976. Recently I read a building downtown had collapsed and they were trying to come up with the money to finish the demolition.
Speaking of demolition, I can’t believe they still have the Derby in Marvel.
Great story. Thanks for sharing. For some reason, I love stories of the old radio business.
I grew up in the Detroit suburbs just after the heyday of CKLW radio. It was an absolute powerhouse. Based in Windsor, Ontario. At one point it was the highest rated station in 5 or 6 states plus 1 or 2 provinces.
It was a white station that played white and black music, in many ways bringing the races together.
Of course, being the same time as Motown Heyday didn’t hurt.
Side story. I was talking with a friend the other day. He’s black, I’m white. We were talking about growing up and I brought up I Wish by Stevie Wonder. I said I grew up in the suburbs, not the ghetto and outside of not being a “nappy headed boy” I could relate with almost everything in that song. I thought my friend was going to die he was laughing so hard.
Man those are great stories!! The town (Helena) was drying up fast back in the mid 80’s as people and businesses were moving out. I would have loved to seen it in its heyday. I wish it would have a revival and become a trendy place to live like Oxford, MS.
In the spring of 1980 my father took a job with Helena Chemical co and that is how we ended up there. Dad is about to celebrate 38 years with the company. In 1987 we moved as he transferred to the corporate office then located in Memphis (now Collierville).
Yep, still have the Demolition Derby each September (always the Saturday after Labor Day) associated with the Tri-County Fair. I went as a kid when living there and then missed a few years after moving to Memphis. I started going back in 1991 I believe and haven’t missed a year since!!!!! They now also have a spring derby- last year it was on May 27th.
I would really love to see some old photos of the town and surrounding area.