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!
Union & Madison with Storyboard Memphis
Bonus Episode: Droppin' On New Year's Eve
Bonus Episode: Ice Skating at the Mall
Christmas in Memphis
Hanukkah and Jewish History in Memphis
Let's Go to the Movies
Zion Christian Cemetery
Ladies Night
Shotgun Houses
Libertyland with John R. Stevenson
Ghosts In Memphis: E&H, Snowden, & The Orpheum
Let's Talk Type
A Tour of Glenview Historic District
Steamboats and the Bluff City
The Forgotten Adventures of Richard Halliburton with R. Scott Williams
Dining 1: Anderton's & The Four Way
Earnestine and Hazel's
Graffiti 101 with Nosey42
Bonus Episode: Riding Elephants
Lustron Homes of Memphis
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