New Information about Jobe’s Opera House Surfaces from ReaderJanuary 2, 2017Entertainment-In August 2006, I wrote an article about Jobe's Opera House, a former popular entertainment venue once located at the corner of E. Main and Spring streets on the second floor above Gump Brothers, a fashionable clothing store. Today's column provides supplementary information about the once popular establishment. If we were to turn the clock… Continue Reading
1909 Tennessee State Fair Was a “Mighty Modern Exhibition”October 10, 2016Entertainment-During Sept. 20-25, 1909, an impressive exhibit pitted Tennessee against the world. When you put together an exhibition that displays Tennessee’s resources in miniature, you have a sight that is worth observing and an inspiration to return home and take better advantage of the natural opportunities afforded by the South. The purpose of Nashville's Tennessee… Continue Reading
WETB Became Affiliated with Mutual Broadcasting System in 1957July 18, 2016Entertainment-The May 27, 1957 edition of the Johnson City Press-Chronicle occupied an entire page in the newspaper with the words: "WETB proudly announces affiliation with the Mutual Broadcasting System." It went into effect on June 2 of that year. WETB Radio As It Once Appeared on the Johnson City-Erwin Highway Included was correspondence from Charles… Continue Reading
Fourteen Daytime Soap Operas on Radio/Television from 1954June 6, 2016Entertainment-Today's column is a glance back to August 1954 when 15-minute soap operas filled the weekday airways of radio and television. A contrast of these 14 programs with today's television "soaps" is rather noteworthy. BACKSTAGE WIFE: Gambler Victor Stratton presses his attentions on Mary Noble, which she tries to ward off while still keeping his… Continue Reading
A Glance Back at a Quarter Century of Saturday Morning TelevisionMarch 21, 2016Entertainment-I recently came across a listing of Saturday morning ("no school today") television juvenile shows, ranging from 1946 through 1971. Since my family did not own a television set until about 1951, I had the option of going to a Johnson Avenue neighbor's house who owned a TV to watch a program or do without.… Continue Reading
O. Henry’s Famous “Robin Hood of the Old West,” “The Cisco Kid”March 14, 2016Entertainment-Older folks will likely recall the opening theme of television's "The Cisco Kid?" It began with thrilling background music as Cisco and Pancho rode their horses, Diablo and Loco respectively, down a hill, paused briefly and then continued their descent. The narration was "Here's adventure. Here's romance. Here's O. Henry's famous Robin Hood of the… Continue Reading
Walter L. Main’s Grandest, Best Shows Came to City in 1895January 25, 2016Entertainment-An October 1895 headline in The Comet newspaper proclaimed these eye-catching words: "Only a Few More Days Until Walter L. Main's Grandest and Best Show Will be Seen in all Its Glory." The big show came as announced, delighting thousands of expectant attendees who enthusiastically clamored for admission to the huge tent, which was reported… Continue Reading