"I think that John Doe #1 might be Red Cantell. He should be a part of the story if for no other reason than he was a most unforgettable character. I knew him and remember him as a good announcer who habitually complained about his meager compensation at KBOA. On his days off he sometimes picked cotton to supplement his income. His tenure at KBOA ended when a maintenance crew came to work on the KBOA tower. When he found out how much those guys were paid to climb that tower he joined the crew and left town.

I also believe that a more complete bio of Norman Shainberg would add interest to the story. As I remember, he lost a leg when his plane was shot down in WW2. While at KBOA he and his bride were married on a popular network show. His family owned Shainbergs dept store in Kennett. They later moved to Memphis and Norman moved to WMPS.

During the summer of 1947 a group of KHS band members formed a dance band. Ray Van, obviously being desperate for live talent lined up a sponsor and talked us into doing a weekly show. I remember Butterball coming to one of our rehearsals and telling us that dance bands were on the way out and if we wanted to make it we would have to go hillbilly. That may well be the most accurate advice we ever received. At the end of the summer we disbanded."

Gerald D. Overall
March 14, 1999