“Jack Phipps had a program on WBT in 1932, playing piano. His first full-time job with the station was as nighttime switchboard operator for which he earned the magnificent sum of $4.50 per week.”

—From The Jeffcaster,
Feb 9, 1970.

 

 

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Anniversary Shows

After each decade of service, WBTV would produce an anniversary program, looking back at its history. This was the first, and like several to come had as its presenter Jim Patterson, the announcer who first signed on the station in 1949.

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After 20 years we thought we'd seen everything TV could possibly offer, and this program presents clips of many of the shows that had appeared on Channel 3 in the preceding two decades. Jim Patterson is the narrator.

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Clyde McLean hosts a 30th Anniversary "party" in what was once the Wilder Building in downtown Charlotte (where WBTV started). You'll see dozens of clips televised on WBTV in the '60s and '70s, with personalities from the station and CBS.

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C.J. Underwood and Barbara Stutts introduce the live mid-day show on July 14. By now, many of the Channel 3 stars of the '60s and '70s are gone. Clyde McLean, Betty Feezor, Alan Newcomb, Pat Lee and Jim Patterson have died; others have retired or moved on.

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Tribute to Clyde McLean

Upon the death of Clyde McLean in 1987, WBTV produced this tribute to its former weatherman. Clyde joined the company in 1947 as an announcer on WBT radio and was a broadcaster with many talents. He had been off the air for some years because of ill health. Clyde was a founding partner of the Charlotte advertising agency, Matthews, Cremins & McLean.

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Crutchfield's Farewell

After 31 years as CEO of the Jefferson-Pilot Broadcasting Company, Charles H. Crutchfield was stepping down. Just before "Crutch's" departure on Dec. 31, 1977, he did a half-hour interview with WBTV Newsman Andrew Schorr. His leaving was the end of an era for the company and for Charlotte.

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Jim Patterson

Reminiscing

This sequence begins with the voices of Paul Harvey and Charles Kuralt discussing Jim and his death the previous evening. Then there's a PM Magazine feature made in 1985, the year before Jim's death. It examines his career in broadcasting and cites his contribution to the success of WBTV.

6:55

Morning Shows

Over the years the name, faces and format of the early morning show changed; the only constant was Jim Patterson. In two incarnations, when it was called "Good Morning" and "This Morning," Jim's co-host was Bob Taylor, shown in most of these clips.

Part 1 7:25
Part 2 7:31

Birthday

On the morning show, and on Top 'o the Day (at noon) Jim was saluted on his birthday. We're not sure of the year, but if it was 1986, it was his 57th, the last birthday of his life.

 4:01

Early Arrival

To capture scenes of Jim at work, for the PM Magazine feature listed above, a photographer was dispatched to cover Jim's arrival at the station one morning at 4:30 a.m. Here's much of that footage from 1985.

7:45

Narration

Here are two short inspirational features that Jim narrated. He was always available to lend his talent to whatever was needed.

4:13

Betty Feezor

"Happy 20th"

Betty came to the station in 1953. On her 20th anniversary, on June 15, 1973, her show was done at the Capri Theater in Charlotte before an audience of over 1,000 fans. You'll see tributes paid to her by Jim Patterson (who emcees the event), Clyde Mclean, Doug Mayes and Wallace J. Jorgenson, president of the broadcasting company. Betty's special guest is Helen Wagner, who, since the 1950s, had played—and, as of 2008, is still playing—the character "Nancy Hughes" on the long-lasting daytime drama, As The World Turns.

Part 1 10:14
```````` 17:47

Easter Show

For many years, Betty would devote a portion of her Good Friday show to scripture readings and inspirational music. This is a recording of such a segment from the Betty Feezor Show of April 4, 1969.

 14:52

Fred Kirby

On May 19, 1990, WBTV aired a 90-minute birthday party for Fred Kirby, hosted by James K. Flynn and Moira Quinn. The program was a milestone of sorts for the station, for it marked the end of Fred's long broadcast career, and the very end of local TV programming for kids. What made it all the more poignant and special was the appearance—live and on tape—of many of Fred's fellow entertainers and coworkers from the past, who are no longer alive: Jim Patterson, Bill Ward, Norman Prevatte and C. J. Underwood.

Our thanks to Mike Cline for sharing this 16-year old treasure. We've edited it down to 24 "bite-size" segments, totaling about 45 minutes.

Major Segments

Show Open

With Fred Kirby, James K. Flynn, Moira Quinn and studio audience

 3:26

"PM Magazine"

Features Fred's life and show business career are recounted in this early (circa 1980) PM feature with host Bob Lacy.

Part 1 5:08
Part 2 3:02

Moments with Fred

Segments of his most memorable songs. He sings solo and duets with James K. Flynn and Jim Patterson.

3:05

Moira Quinn and Kids

Moira first worked on the floor crew at WBTV. When a hosting spot opened on the new PM Magazine series, she won it, and from the first exhibited her tremendous interviewing skills and commanding presence. Watch how deftly she handles these kids, who, by the way, are now of college age.

1:29

Tweetsie Birthday Party

Tweetsie Railroad, where Fred appeared on weekends for years, also held a big party for Fred. You'll see old footage of Fred fending off robbers and redskins by "shooting" (from the hip!) everything in sight.

1:40

Tribute to Uncle Jim

Jim Patterson, whose voice signed on WBTV for the first time in 1949, played Fred's sidekick, "Uncle Jim Mahaffee." He had died four years before this program was produced. One of the studios at WBTV was renamed "The Jim Patterson Studio.

1:48

Special Awards

Barbara Lockwood of the Mecklenburg County Commission proclaims it "Fred Kirby Day"and Cullie Tarleton, WBTV's General Manager bestows upon Fred North Carolina's Long Leaf Pine Award.

4:16

Little Rascals Intro

One of Fred's longest running TV series featured "The Little Rascals." Over the years each of their episodes were rerun dozens of times. Within the Birthday Bash, they aired a full episode. Here is the introduction and that memorable theme music.

 :47

Show Closing

Fred expresses his love for the thousands of children he's entertained, and for all those with whom he has worked over his nearly 60 years at Jefferson. The credits roll, naming all those before and behind the camera.

1:44

Special Guests

Bob Lacy

Bob was the first host, with Moira Quinn, of WBTV's PM Magazine. Later, he moved to Jefferson's FM outlet, WBCY (now WLNK), in 1989. He was soon united on the morning show with Sherri Lynch, where they remain popular today.

1:46

C. J. Underwood

He was the "founding" reporter for WBTV's popular Carolina Camera, and later anchor, with Moira Quinn, of the morning news. He was struck down by cancer in 2000.

1:38

Barbara McKay

Known then as Barbara Stutts, she filled the very large shoes of legendary Betty Feezor and became the home/style host for Top of the Day. Later she married a tall, personable weatherman named Mike McKay.

 1:55

Mike McKay

In the mid-1960s, WBTV needed a weather reporter to back up Clyde McLean. They hired a tall, personable guy from Tennessee named Mike McLean. So that the public wouldn't forever think Clyde was his father, Mike changed his name to McKay.

2:46

Lynn Bradley Love

Lynn may best be remembered as the co-presenter with Mike McKay of the annual Carolinas Carousel Parade each Thanksgiving. She was a talented member of Top of the Day team and writer/producer in WBTV's Creative Services Department.

1:41

Norman Prevatte

The first producer/director hired by WBTV, his career was studded with firsts. For example, he directed the first live sports telecast in the Carolinas, and the early Fred Kirby series like Junior Rancho and Three Ring Circus.

2:12

Tom King

A member of the floor crew at the time, Tom was pressed into service on Three Ring Circus as "Mr. Goody," the most popular guy in the studio (who gave out balloons and candy to the kids in the audience).

 1:55

Philip Morris

He also was on Three Ring (as Cap'n Phil) and a number of other shows on WBTV, notably Horror Theater, on which Phil appeared as Dr. Evil. A magician and illusionist, Phil is also the owner of Morris Costumes, a Charlotte company of world renown.

1:32

Big Bill Ward

Although Bill was WBTV sports announcer, he also pitched in in other areas. He had his own kids' show, Big Bill's Clubhouse, and was Barker Bill on Three Ring Circus, he was perhaps best known as the ring announcer on Championship Wrestling.

1:38

Promotional and Public Service Announcements

WBTV News Promo

Narrated by Bob Inman & Sara James. At this particular time, in 1990, Bob and Sara were joined at the anchor desk by Paul Cameron, sports, and Mike McKay, weather.

:30

Charlotte Arts

WBTV Newsman Sidney Evans reminds us that it's important to support and to participate in the numerous arts programs in Charlotte.

:30

Weekend News Team

Lori Stokes, Anchor; Drew Levinson, Anchor; Terry Mauney, Sports; Mike Collins, Weather

:30

Public Health

WBTV News medical reporter Sonja Gantt advises that it's tick season, and urges us to be careful as we enjoy the great outdoors.

:30

Area Parks

Eric Thomas, WBTV's chief meteorologist, suggests we take advantage of the parks and outdoor programs our area has to offer.

:30

Miscellaneous

News Story

On the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite, WBTV's Ron Depaulis reports on school integration in Charlotte Schools. Oct. 15, 1974

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Carolinas Carousel 1956

The annual Christmas parade in Charlotte, NC on Nov. 22, 1956. A 5-minute report by WBTV Newsman Nelson Benton, who later became a CBS News correspondent.

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