People I've Met, Things I've Done: 50 Years in Country Music Radio by Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame and Virginia Beach's Own

In addition to playing country music records all day in the early '60s, WCMS further connected with its listening audience by sponsoring live country-style shows at the tiny (by today's standards) Norfolk Arena, mostly on Sunday afternoons and evenings. I was a new member of the country music fraternity in those days, and as such, I looked forward to performing just about anywhere. But my trips into Norfolk (and there were many over the years) were some of my favorites, not only because of the great crowds and responsive fans we played for, but because some of the most knowledgeable, talented, and personable radio disc jockeys in America worked for WCMS. One of those was Joe Hoppel, who has gone on to become a lifelong friend.

You're going to enjoy Joe's book. He's got lots of his own stories gathered from across a broadcasting career that spanned fifty-two years, forty-nine of them at the same radio station. Nobody does that anymore. In fact, this book is full of things nobody does anymore. The singers sell more records today and the broadcast personalities ply their craft on radio and television powerhouse outlets that Joe and I could only dream of.

But we are the true lucky ones. We had more fun than they do, and after you've read this book I think you will agree. Joe Hoppel and I were privileged to be a part of country music's true "golden age."

Bill Anderson

Grand Ole Opry

Country Music Hall of Fame