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!
At the Drive-In
Graceland Too: The Place We Regret Not Visiting
Maywood Beach
Bonus Episode: Goat on Parade
Bonus Episode: Runaway Goat
Malls of Memphis
Hotel Pontotoc and The Peabody
Beer-Drinking Goats at Silky O'Sullivan's
Get to Know Us: Q&A with Caitlin and Rebecca
The Truth Behind Voodoo Village
Mid-Century Architecture in Memphis with Aften Locken
Buried in Elmwood
Barboro Alley and Sam Cooper Boulevard
Welcome to Memphis Type History: The Podcast
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