| COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES |
 |
MCKISSICK MUSEUM HOME |
|
|
The Mackie Quave Story Fifty Years in Broadcasting 1923-1990  In 1939, at age sixteen, Mackie Quave began a fifty year-long career in broadcasting. At that time he won a national radio announcing contest in Hollywood, California. In the early 1940s he started work as an announcer in his hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, at Station WWNC.  The "WISE SCHOOL
QUIZ SHOW WITH MACKIE QUAVE," sparked Mackie's lifelong interest in children's
entertainment. Quave moved to Columbia, SC, in the mid-1940s to work
for Station WKIX. In the studio Mackie poked fun at the flying saucer
craze of the times. 1946, Quave was the driving force behind the
creation of WUSC at the University of South Carolina where he taught a
class in radio announcing.
 In 1947 Quave joined WIS radio where he worked as chief announcer, director, writer and supervisor. Quave is shown with then Gov. Strom Thurmond, 2nd from left, and future Gov. James F. Byrnes, 3rd from left, broadcasting a SC Democratic Party Meeting.
With WIS Quave is best remembered
as "Cactus Quave," the proprietor of the "Bar Ranch 56," on his daily radio
show during the 1940s and 1950s. The Cactus Quave Show drew higher
ratings in Columbia than "The Lone Ranger."
When WIS expanded to television,
Cactus Quave moved to the screen and the "Bar Q Ranch," where he battled
enemies such as "JP Sidewinder" and other members of the Sidewinder clan.
The comical cowboy was a favorite
of Columbia audiences. Fans were thrilled to see Cactus Quave in
person.
In the 1960s and 1970s he continued
to work in broadcasting at SC-ETV, WIS, WOLO and other stations.
He had a helping hand in the establishment of the South Carolina Educational
Radio Network, garnering support for the new network from business and
legislators. At station WAXL Quave interviews SCETV founder John
Cauthen. At SC-ETV, he hosted "OFF THE CUFF," a talk show, narrated
the national PBS special "OUR VANISHING TOWN," and was the scriptwriter
for the nationally broadcast PBS show "LOWELL THOMAS REMEMBERS."
With WIS-TV, he acted as historian-writer for the series "CAROLINA YESTERDAY."
During the 1970s Quave hosted "INQUIRY,"
a public affairs talk show. Quave interviews then Gov. James B. Edwards
for WOLO. In 1989, the SC Broadcaster's Association awarded Quave
its first Masters Award for his life-long contributions to broadcasting.
Mackie Quave died in January, 1990.
|
