In this episode of Memphis Type History: The Podcast, I tell Rebecca all about Memphis' first all-girl radio station, WHER. Started by Sam Phillips in 1955, WHER featured women at all levels of making radio happen, from ad sales to management and, of course, the jockettes.
There were a lot of radio stations in Memphis at this time, so Phillips put a twist on his and hired all women! We're sure he was inspired tons by his wife, Becky Phillips, who had the best radio voice he'd ever heard. Kemmons Wilson also went in on the endeavor with money and rooms at the Holiday Inn to house the station.
The décor was ultra pastel and feminine... truly something to behold! And so were many of the on-air talent. We talk about Janie Joplin, Bettye Berger, Donna Bartlett, Marge Thrasher, Dean "The Hat" Duvall, and Dotty Abbot (aka Dolly Holiday).
Head over to memphistypehistory.com/radio for show notes!
Your Attention Please [Hiatus]
Zines 101 with Erica Qualy
Starring Elvis with Sheena and Savannah
TGI Fridays
A Rundown on Memphis Wrestling
Memphis Mansions
Memphis BBQ Part 1: A General History with Brian Crenshaw
The Shadier Side of Memphis with Neil Cameron
Memphis History in Bozwell + Lily
The New Madrid Fault Line
Finding A Place in History with Julie Mccullough
Clarence Saunders: The Man Behind Piggly Wiggly
Bonus Episode: Fallout In China
Ladies Night Part Two
WDIA: USA's First Black Radio Station
The Memphis Red Sox
Robert Church: The South's First Black Millionaire
Ghost Signs with Devin Greaney
Surviving the Bomb: Memphis' Famous Fallout Shelter
The Memphis Mafia
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