This is certainly a red letter week for Chattanooga's best supporters. My long time friend Earl Freudenberg was elected to the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame. It is an honor he well deserves.
After writing a letter in support of recognition for Bob Elmore's contributions to making Chattanooga great, I read where Earl was selected for this notable honor. I am pleased to also write my congratulations to him.
I've known Earl since we became friends at Northside Junior High in 1961. He was always cheerful and upbeat and showed a great interest in big band music and radio at this early age. He was what would be called today an unpaid intern at WAPO when they were in the basement of the Read House. He spent many hours learning the business as an apprentice under the guidance of Dean Wickersham and others.
During the Vietnam War era, Earl served in the U.S. Army and further advanced his training in mass communication and radio.
When he came back to the states he returned to broadcasting on both TV and then radio where he has been ever since on several different stations.
He is a great family man and supporter of our local schools as well. He still loves big band music and has attended a number of our big band performances, actually announcing one year for Swingfest when it was on the Saturday before Labor Day at Coolidge Park.
So as we continue to reflect on our blessings, let's include Earl Freudenberg and hope for many more years for his voice on local radio.
Ralph Miller