 1948-49 G. Richard Shafto
"When we organized SCBA, we needed a meeting place and status so
I negotiated with the President of the University of South Carolina that
we be given, without cost, a large room in the South Carolina library hall.
The South Carolina Broadcaster's Association solicited funds from other
broadcasters to supply the furniture and some of the books which went into
he Broadcasters' library. Issues at stake included persuading the
newspapers to publish broadcasting schedules and, while newspapers were
seeking payment for broadcasting sports, the broadcasters contended that
they had the right to broadcast sports without the payment of fees."
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Broadcast pioneer who was founder and first president of SCBA. Under
Shafto's presidency, the Association is organized to "fulfill a need for
the exchange of mutually beneficial information on a state level and to
develop higher standards of broadcasting." Also, the first SCBA convention
was held January 13-14, 1949 at the Wade Hampton Hotel
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Managed WIS Radio in Columbia beginning in 1932
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Led in creating WIS-TV in 1953 and served as its first general manager
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As president of Cosmos Broadcasting, organized a group of outstanding radio
and television stations from New Orleans to Toledo to Knoxville
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Built the first cable television systems in South Carolina
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In 1973, became the first inductee into the SCBA Hall of Fame after 40
years of distinguished service to the broadcasting industry
1949-50 *Beverly T. "Bevo" Whitmire
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A founder of SCBA who nourished the Association's growth as president during
its second year of operation
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Managed WFBC AM/FM in Greenville from 1933-1953
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Managed WFBC-TV from 1953 until his death in 1956
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Involved in network affairs and actively participated in the National Association
of Broadcasters (NAB)
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Inducted into SCBA Hall of Fame posthumously in 1985
1950-51 *Dan Crosland
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General manager of WCRS in Greenwood for over 20 years
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Served as SCBA President just before the advent of television so his term
was one of the last years when the Association was radio only. In
fact, Board records state that the broadcasters were beginning in to think
and talk about television. Some members predicted that it would never
take a strong hold in South Carolina, primarily due to its cost, while
others predicted radio would "go the way of the horse and buggy" as soon
as this new giant of communications became national
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Appointed the first paid SCBA executive, WFIG General Manager Dough Youngblood,
in January, 1951
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Youngblood accepted the office of permanent secretary-treasurer on the
partially paid basis
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Under his presidency, the first full summer convention was held in Myrtle
Beach
1951-52 *Melvin Purvis
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Was general manager for WOLS in Florence
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At the time of Purvis' presidency, disc recorders were still in use at
most broadcast stations and the Board discussed the prices being paid to
stations for vinyl scrap. President Purvis instructed Board members
to seek out the highest prices being paid and then notify the membership
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Also under his presidency, the Board goes on record as endorsing the Radio
Libel Bill which proposed relieving broadcasters of libel and slander action
when political candidates are speaking on their own behalf
1952-53 *John M. Rivers, Sr.
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Became a broadcaster in 1938 and, at the end of his career, had given 50
years of distinguished service to the broadcast industry and his Charleston
community, the state and the nation
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Under Rivers' leadership, the Radio Libel Bill was passed and, at the 1953
Winter Convention, President and Mrs. Rivers entertained the convention
delegates at a party in their home
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Was principal owner of WCSC, Inc., founder of WCSC-FM in April, 1948 and
builder of the first VHF television station in South Carolina, WCSC-TV,
in June, 1953
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A founder of the S.C. Broadcasters Association and was inducted into the
SCBA Hall of Fame in 1974
1953-54 *Walter J. Brown
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Beginning in 1940, was a broadcaster except for a period of service to
James F. Byrnes as Director of War Mobilization and Secretary of State
from 1942 to 1947
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Was president of WSPA AM/FM and WSPA-TV who pioneered in frequency modulation
putting the first FM station on the air in South Carolina and developing
the first FM station in the Southeast with stereo
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Organized and directed the Washington News Bureau from 1929 to 1940 representing
southern newspapers and Broadcasting Magazine
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Under his SCBA presidency, Brown appointed a special tax study committee
to look at the question of sales tax inequities on broadcasting equipment.
Educational television was being discussed and the Association pledged
its cooperation to assure maximum utilization of TV channels for educational
purposes
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Inducted into SCBA Hall of Fame in 1975
1954-55 C. Wallace Martin
"My most interesting memory of my year as president is the Winter
Convention at Clemson where everybody knew everybody."
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Owner of WMSC Radio in Columbia until 1962
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Became vice president for development at the University of South Carolina
in 1960 serving until retirement in 1977 Chairman of Carolina V.I.P.Tours
from 1977-1994. With his wife, conducted 66 tours around the world
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Community service champion who served as chairman of the Columbia Chamber
of Commerce in 1959, chairman of the Governor's Mansion Foundation from
1977 to 1981 and chairman of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Foundation from
1976-1986
1955-56 Frank B. Best, Sr.
The following Frank Best quote was taken from SCBA flies regarding the
1955 proposal of the state legislature to tax advertising which was an
important SCBA issue during and following his presidency.
"I do not know what South Carolina broadcasters pay as annual dues
to SCBA but whatever it is they are making money on the cost in the one
issue of the advertising tax proposal that was defeated by the Association
in that year. Of all the duties that it had been my lot to pursue
that year as SCBA head, that was the most pleasant."
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From 1941 to 1947, was owner and publisher of the Orangeburg Observer,
a weekly newspaper
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In 1946, organized the first broadcasting company in Orangeburg, WRNO,
which was changed to WDIX in 1954. That station was one of the first
stations to editorialize seven days a week
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In 1968, assisted in heading South Carolina's Wallace Forum Association,
the campaign vehicle for Alabama Governor's bid for the Presidency.
Prior to 1968, also took a leading part in the Goldwater campaign and the
Democrats for Eisenhower movement
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Offered three decades of service and support to the development of the
business community in Orangeburg
1956-57 James F. Coggins
"As I reflect on my continuing service of 54 years to the broadcast
industry, what a privilege it was to follow such giants as G. Richard Shafto,
John Rivers, Walter Brown and others as president in 1956. Whatever the
accomplishments of 1956, they are a part of the post. In looking forward
to the future, may I quote the words penned by Tim La Hoye. 'Never settle
for second-rate or selfish goals. Set goals for yourself that involve helping
other people and the riches will follow. The richest people I know are
those who have given themselves unselfishly to other people. Such motivation
will affect the way you sell your particular trade. True riches are totally
unrelated to money or material reward. Of one thing I am sure, happy people
have strong goals and somehow these include helping other people.' Our
broadcasters of today might ponder these words as we think about our audiences.
Congratulations to all those who have gone before and those who are yet
to come."
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Still active as president and treasurer of Newberry Broadcasting Co., Inc.
(WKDK).
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Previously served as president and secretary of Broadcasting Co. of Union
(WBCU) and president of Lee County Broadcasting Co. of Bishopville (WAGS)
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Received Governor Beasley's Order of the Palmetto in 1996
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Play-by-play voice for Clemson Football Network, 1936 and 1947-50 then
for S.C. Football Network, 1950-5 1, and returned to Clemson Network, 1953-64
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Recipient of first Sportscaster of the Year Award for S.C. presented by
National Sportscasters and Sportswriters in 1958
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President of Rotary Club of Newberry, 1962-63; recipient of first annual
Rotarian of the Year Award in 1998; and, named Paul Harris Fellow in late
1980s
1957-58 Charles A. Batson
"As WIS Television's managing director, I was the first television
broadcaster to serve as president of the Association. The biggest SCBA
accomplishment under my direction was the successful effort by the Board
and members to head off the sales tax on advertising. This success can
largely be attributed to the gross roots political strength of the Association's
radio station members."
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Retired chairman and chief executive officer of Cosmos Broadcasting Corporation, parent company of Wis-
TV. Was named president in 1968, CEO in 1969 and chairman in 1977
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Began broadcasting career at WFBC in Greenville in 1936 as an announcer,
newscaster and then program director until drafted into U.S.Army in 1941
Served in military until 1946 attaining rank of Major. One assignment
was Public Relations Radio Officer during which he produced broadcasts
by General Dwight Eisenhower, including the announcement of the Italian
surrender
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Served as director of television for the National Association of Broadcasters
as the medium was beginning to grow
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Originally joined Cosmos in 1951 as director of television and then joined
WIS-TV in 1953 when it went on the air as its managing director (later
general manager)
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NAB TV Code Review Board, 1970-74; Chairman, 1973-74
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Inducted into SCBA Hall of Fame in 1981
1958-59 W.R. "Randy" Davidson
"My most interesting memory is testifying before Senator Smother's
Subcommittee on Communications in Washington and being introduced by Senator
Strom Thurmond as an 'outstanding' citizen of South Carolina from his hometown
of Aiken. Another highlight was doing the hula with a hula dancer at the
Summer Convention in Myrtle Beach."
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Graduated from Port Arthur College School of Radio Broadcasting in 1942
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Inaugurated the SCBA Insurance Program for members
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Began his broadcasting career at KPAC in Port Arthur, Texas
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Served as general manager of three South Carolina stations-WAKN, Aiken,WCAY,
Cayce and WLOW Aiken Also worked at WBCU, Union, in sales and sports and
at WCRS, Greenwood as program director
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Worked as sales and syndication director of Telecast Inc. from 1982 to
1997 which produces the programs Weekend Gardener and Backyard America,
from 1982 to 1997
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Honored as "Man of the year" by the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce in
1959
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President of the Aiken Rotary Club, 1958-59. Serves as Sunday school superintendent,
deacon and deacon chairman of Aiken First Baptist Church
1959-60 *H. Moody McElveen, Jr.
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Retired in 1978 as executive vice-president, Palmetto Radio Corporation,
parent company of WNOK-AM-FM-
TV. His broadcast career spanned four decades beginning at WCOS-AM
in 1940 as an on-air personality and later program director
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Presented with SCBA Honorary Life Membership in 1978 and inducted into
the SCBA Hall of Fame in 1991
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When McElveen became president of SCBA, the association had less than $500
in the bank. By the end of 1959, he had helped increase the cash receipts by 400%
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Served on a seven-mernber committee representing the CBS-TV net- work affiliates
before the Senate Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce in 1956.
In 1958, McElveen was selected as a member of a five-person committee representing
the affiliates before the FCC
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Held many leadership positions with a variety of civic groups including
the SCETV Technical Advisory Committee, the Greater Columbia Chamber of
Commerce, the City of Columbia Youth Committee, the Palmetto Club, the
South Carolina Symphony Orchestra and the Fairfield Baptist Association
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Was a member of the National All-I industry Advisory Committee on UHF Television
and the NAB Speakers Bureau for both radio and television
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Worked as a member of the 1963 inaugural activities committee for the inauguration
of Governor Donald S. Russell
1960-61 Edward L.B. Osborne
"I have several memories. 1. Doug Youngblood of WFIG, Sumter, led
a group of musicians, made up of SCBA members, into Holiday Inn's swimming
pool to the tune of When the Saints Go Marching ln.'2. Can someone from
Beaufort not like raw oysters? While attending the national convention
for presidents in Washington, I introduced my V.P., Lou Neale (WBEU), to
a lunch of raw oysters. Lou managed to get his first- and only- oyster
half way down. Needless to say, I finished the remaining oysters. 3. 1
sold WBCU to Art Osborne Sutton and retired January, 1993 after managing
WBCU since 1953."
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Received the Order of the Palmetto from Governor Richard Riley in 1980,
the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Union Chamber of Commerce and the
SCBA Honorary Life Member Award in 1993
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Served on the South Carolina Development Board
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During his presidency, the SCBA monthly newsletter was initiated, an annual
scholarship fund was created and a change in the by-laws to include a vice
president for radio and a vice president for television was proposed.
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Also during his presidency, Osborne established an annual Outstanding Advertiser
Award and called for establishing an editorial service for state broadcasters
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Celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with Dorothy E. Slaughter Osborne
on June 19, 1998
1961-62 *Louis M. Neale, Jr.
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Managed WBEU Radio in Beaufort
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As SCBA president, undertook an effort to push membership to 100%
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Took the SCBA Summer Convention to Sumter for the first time
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During his presidency, SCBA originated a state-wide broadcast to present
candidates seeking major offices in the state
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SCBA co-sponsored a pre-school safety campaign and a Labor Day safety program
in cooperation with the S.C. Highway Department
1962-63 W. Frank Harden
"I remember the first summer convention held jointly by SCBA and
the Georgia Broadcasters Association at Jekyll Island, Georgia, August
5-7. It was the first time for such a joint convention. The convention
was highly successful with the largest registration ever- so large the
convention hotel facilities overflowed. NAB President Leroy Collins, former
governor of Florida, was the keynote speaker. Network star Bud Collier
addressed the banquet and was presented with the SCBA Good Citizenship Award. Julian Goodman,
NBC president was the luncheon speaker."
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Associated with WIS Radio and Television for 21 years, followed by 14 years
as president of State Telecasting, a subsidiary of the State-Record Co.,
operating TV stations in Charleston, Lubbock,Texas and Roswell, New Mexico
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Nominated for FCC commissioner post in 1973 by Senator Strom Thurmond
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Served six years on the NAB Television Board of Directors
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Inducted into the SCBA Hall of Fame in 1980
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Instructor in USCs first broadcast classes under the English Department
and helped develop the USC School of journalism's inclusion of broadcasting.
Served on the committee to recruit the USC College of journalism's new dean, Al Scroggins, and on the committee which employed Dr. Richard Uray
to teach the College's radio courses and to serve as SCBA executive manager
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Active in many community and church projects and is married to Betty Harden,
an accomplished artist
1963-64 *Cleatus 0. Brazzell
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Owned WELP in Easley
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Signed a petition at the 1963 NAB conference requesting that President
Kennedy appoint qualified broadcaster to any future vacancies in the Federal
Communications Commission Under Brazzell's presidency, the FCC announced
it would raise the minimum operator requirements so SCBA coordinated locations
for operators to take those tests. Also, Frank Blair was presented with
the second annual SCBA Good Citizenship Award
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Inducted into the SCBA Hall of Fame in 1976
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A pioneer in small, community-minded broadcasting, Brazzell supported local,
state and national humanitarian causes
1964-65 John Y. Davenport
"I remember so well my good friend, Bill Arrington. Bill served as
our treasurer during my term as president of SCBA. At our conventions,
Bill would have the time of his life. He would make up a radio jingle for
all stations at the convention... and they were good too. Bill sang and
laughed so much that the next day during our business meetings he could
hard whisper. He would stand up and hand out the treasurer's report and
then ask in a very weak voice 'Are there any questions?' There never were.
Bill was the life of many of our conventions and we are grateful to have
known him."
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Retired in 1990 as president and general manager of WESC-AM/FM in Greenville
after working forty years for the broadcasting company. He was also co-founder
of WMTY in Greenwood
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Inducted into the SCBA Hall of Fame in 1983
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Named Greenville Business Man of the Year in 1983 by the Greenville Chamber
of Commerce
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With a keen interest in theatre, Davenport was appointed to a three-year
term on the South Carolina Arts Commission by Governor Edwards in 1983
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His civic work in Greenville included leadership positions in the Greenville
Mental Health Association, the Greenville Advertising Club, the Greenville
Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Better Business Bureau of the Foothills,
the Greenville Downtown Association, the Carolina Youth Symphony, the Greenville
Museum of Art and the United Way of Greenville
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Awarded the Greenville Advertising Club's Silver Medal Award in 1966.
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