Eddie Walters Named To WV Broadcasting Hall of Fame

[The Interpreter]

Huntington, WV (HNN) – One of the pioneer broadcasters from WTCR, Town and County Radio, has been selected as a member of the 2009 WV Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

Although he began his career as an ‘on air’ personality, Edwin (“Eddie”) Walters is remembered for his contributions to the technical aspect of area broadcasting. A long-time chief engineer of WTCR, 1420 AM, he helped build the then Connie B. Gay station’s FM sister station, then known as WVQM (the voice of quality music).

While the title may not sound exciting, anyone who has worked at a radio or television station knows how significant a role the engineer plays --- he or she is responsible for keeping the station’s transmitter ‘on the air’ beaming music, news, and information. When a technical difficulties arise, it’s the engineers job to find a fix and get the station back on the air as quickly as possible.

Walters, who died in 2003 at age 75, had radio in his blood until the end of his life. After retiring from WTCR/WVQM, he worked part-time for other stations, including WDGG, where he worked for Kindred Communications President, Mike Kirtner. Kirtner, during his time majoring in broadcasting at Marshall University, had ‘Eddie’ as an instructor.

The induction ceremony will be September 26, 2009, at the Museum of Radio and Technology, 1640 Florence Avenue, Huntington.

Walters will be one of 16 inductees in the 2009 class. Names of the additional inductees were not immediately available.

http://www.huntingtonnews.net/local/090 ... lters.html

[rfhertz]

Eddie Walters on right, Charles McCraw in middle. Unknown tower rigger to the left.



Charles Mc Craw in middle, Bill Geyer on right, sitting atop remains of the former WCMI-AM tower.



Eddie was a gem, and a true gentleman. He was always willing to pass on wisdom, as well as hilarious... errr historical stories to me.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Do all broadcast engineers wear hard-sole shoes and white socks, or just all the ones I worked with?

[Dave Allen]

Charles McGraw..now there was an interesting, classic engineer type.

[rfhertz]

Charles and I resurrected 1470AM in Huntington WV for Southern Communications many years ago. He was pushing 80 then.. and complaining about how his new girlfriend had introduced chlamydia into the relationship!!

[SHADOW]

I was a very good friend of Eddie Walters for many years. None of the people seen in the above pictures are Eddie Walters. And for the record, Eddie always had boots on his feet, year round.

[Cameron]

Rfhertz's first pic - far right.

Neighbor.

They looked kinda' joyful about proceeding with an illegal tower-move, huh?