The Bob Murphree Collection

Charlie Daniels and Bob Murphree in Tupelo, Mississippi

Bob Murphree in WHBQ Studio A
Bob in WHBQ Studio A, Memphis, Tennessee

WHBQ Studio B
WHBQ Studio "B"

Bob Murphree grew up in Water Valley, Mississippi, approximately 70 miles south of Memphis, Tennesee, listening to WHBQ, WMPS, WLAC, KXOK, WLS & WOAI. (He wonders if anyone remembers when WOAI was Top 40.)

During the '60's and '70's, Bob spent endless hours DXing. He enjoys listening to and trading Top-40 airchecks.

Bob says that guys like Rick Dees, Bob Landree, John Landecker, George Klein and Bob McClain are the jocks he really remembers.

Bob worked at WHBQ from 1983 to 1985 with the late Sid Leak, who was 'HBQ's main newsman until Terrence McKeever arrived. Some of the exhibits in Bob's Collection came from WHBQ.

After 6 years in Memphis, Bob moved back to Water Valley where he now manages WLPX.

The Repository thanks Bob Murphree for sharing!

Bob McLain, WMPS Memphis, 1974 (0:13:24)

… Let’s hear it again, Ladies and Gentlemen: Herman, the Musical Chicken …

Bob McLain (WTOB) left WMPS/Memphis for Sacramento in 1975, and he had the top-rated morning show in Memphis at the time. He returned to Memphis to work at WHBQ, and he was succeeded by Rick Dees at both stations. In 1999, McLain was co-hosting the morning show on WMC-TV in Memphis.

WHBQ Memphis Drake AA Intros (0:01:24)

… And now, Ladies and Gentlemen …

Here are the Bill Drake-voiced introductions for the staff of WHBQ Memphis, we think: 1970. Included: Bobby Ward, Jack Parnell, Chuck Morgan, Johnny Payne, George Klein, Tony Mann, David Clark, Dave Clark, and Mike Reeve(s).

WHBQ Memphis TM You Jingles (0:06:02)

… We Do It for You …

Our best guess is that the TM Productions “YOU” package was produced in 1976 for WHBQ/Memphis. This is a partial composite of the reel Bob Murphree found at the station in the 80’s.

Charlie Scott, KRBE Houston, 1977 (0:04:44)

… if anyone, anytime, anywhere, asks …

KRBE was a good FM Top 40 station, one of the few in the country at the time. I made this aircheck of overnighter Charlie Scott at my home in Water Valley, MS. with a Pioneer receiver hooked to a 500ft cable tower. I often received signals like this during the 1970’s while dxing. [Note from Uncle Ricky]: As RF flies, it is 445 miles from Houston Texas to Water Valley, Mississippi.

Rick Dees Returns to WHBQ, Memphis, 1976 (0:28:16)

… here’s a guy – I stayed at his place last night – he treated me very nice, as a matter of fact – here is the Disco Duck …

Rick Dees’ first day back at WHBQ, following a 45 day mandatory hiatus after his time at rival WMPS. General Manager Dick French introduces Dees at the beginning of the show, and “The Mouth of the South” introduces Terrence McKeever while free breakfast is served in the station parking lot.

Dees is in top form here and having a lot of fun. Featured from his “cast of idiots”: Lester “Roadhog” Dees, Sammy Soul, Horton, Dr. Billy Frank Birmingham, Lena Wayback and Elvis.

M.G. Kelly, KFI Los Angeles, 1984 (0:13:39)

… It feels so good to be on the radio again …

M.G. (Machine Gun) Kelly won the Billboard Major Market Air Personality Award in 1974, 1977 and 1978 – and then he announced his retirement from radio (on 10-Q).

Kelly pursued an acting career for five years, but returned to radio in afternoon drive at KFI in 1984.

“The Amazing AM” had invested significant money and promotional effort in AM Stereo – and not with complete success, either – in the first five minutes, you’ll hear a snafu force Kelly to abort his opening record. Nevertheless, this hour is rich with production. There’s an opening mini-drama welcoming M.G. out of retirement, skits, bits, drop-ins – and a shotgun jingle that sounds very much like the 10Q shotgun did, five years earlier.