Betty Johnson

The list of those who have passed is an ocean full of memories for me: Jack Burney, my early crush. How I loved singing with his piano playing. I talked to Jack through the years and encouraged him to continue his piano. He always said that I sounded like his wife. She called and let me know about his passing. What a courageous person he was to overcome his polio and nurture his talent and be so good.

Tom Callahan, a wonderful and caring engineer. He gave me some of his early coins from his collection. One was a small dime that I wore as a necklace for luck. Robert Covington talked good books and history to me when I was very young. Made me want to study even more. Kathleen Gurley was such a lady and always just a good role model for me.

Arval Hogan, with whom I worked on the Briarhoppers, kept his wit inside. And Fred Kirby with his wonderful smile; he was so generous and kind. Wally Jorgenson, in advertising—bright and hard working. Ralph Smith, who played bass on the Briarhoppers, was always cheerful and kind to me, as were the other brothers—such a talented family. Clarence Etters had a wonderful, happy disposition. He played for my first solo Bendix-sponsored radio show. I was a freshman at Queens College then. Was Barbara McLean the beautiful Bobbie of the mailroom? I think she married a producer, Bobby Rierson. Am I correct? And Tommy Faile,a singer on the many show's that we did. Pat Lee was a beautiful lady that Crutch hired. I think she was very glamorous

Charles Crutchfield, who hired me and the Family on the Briarhoppers, was Program Director first and then Station Manager. I think the Briarhopper program was a relaxation for him at the end of the day. Clyde McLean announced our family programs and I had a crush on him.

Loonis McGlohon: I have a picture in my office of the two of us in the studio....so talented and made me want to stay in Charlotte to work instead of going to lonely and competitive New York City. It wasn't meant to be...he was really great. Larry Walker and his wife Pat were very important both to my family and to me...I shall always be grateful to them both. Larry held two jobs, one playing the daily 5:35pm show with us, after a full day in the office as Program Director. Hank Warren played a great fiddle on the Briarhopper program and all the other shows that we did, and was the station photographer—and a good one. Kurt Webster was smiling all the time and very successful and he and his wife became our neighbors.

Don White I spoke with several times in the last years of his life. A lovely man and talented. Of course I can't leave out Mother and Dad [Ma and Pa Johnson] and their legacy both as parents and the musical course that has been with me throughout my life.

Looking back can be so bittersweet. I think of the words of the Johnson Family's closing theme, which we sang five days a week for so many years on WBT, "Our show has ended but the memories linger on."

Betty Johnson, with her family and as a solo artist, appeared on WBT from 1938 to 1951. She became a national singing star with record contracts, many stage and TV appearances--including a long stint on NBC's Jack Paar Show--and frequent starring roles in musical theater productions. She and husband Arthur Gray live in Haverhill, New Hampshire, near Dartmouth College, of which Betty is a graduate. Their home is a restored 1788 tavern that was a famous way stop on the Underground Railroad. Betty is currently enjoying her "third" career in entertainment. Catch up with Betty on her web site: www.betty-johnson.com.