1930-1939 PEOPLE
Q - Z
J. Leonard Reinsch
One of the most famous names in radio broadcasting, Reinsch was called on by Governor Cox in 1939 to manage WSB. He eventually became president and CEO of Cox Broadcasting Corporation. In March 1973, Reinsch was presented the coveted Gold Medal award from the International Radio and Television Society. In September 2003 the Library of American Broadcasting named Reinsch as one of the "First Fifty Giants of Broadcasting". He also served as a key advisor to Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman. In 1960, he arranged for the now historic TV debates between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy. Mr. Reinsch retired in 1973 from Cox Broadcasting.
LOUIS T RIGDON
Mr. Rigdon and his wife directed a program called the Atlanta Journal School of the Air. The program brought talented youngsters to the microphone for competition, then took winners to national competition in Washington and New York. According to the book WELCOME SOUTH BROTHER, The Georgia state school superintendent praised the show as being “directly responsible for the doubling of the state school fund.”
ERNEST ROGERS
See 1922-1929 PEOPLE
MARY NELL IVY SANTICROCE
Featured actress in the WSB dramatic program Symphony of Life.
CHARLES SMITHGALL
Charles Smithgall was the administrative assistant to Lambdin Kay and morning personality on the "Morning Merry-Go-Round." He was known to early-risers in several states as "Old man Smithgall's son Charles." His cow "Daisy," whom he milked every morning (via sound effects), was familiar to all his listeners. When a tornado hit Gainesville on April 6, 1936, WSB was first to broadcast the news. Smithgall went to Gainesville, and from a front porch on Broad Street he reported the scene in the dark and rain for WSB and the NBC network. He left WSB in 1940 and founded his own broadcasting and publishing company.
Lessie Smithgall
Married Charles Smithgall in 1934. She was continuity director for WSB and a played key role in helping to establish the Peabody Awards. In her own words: "Mr. Kay called me into his office during a coffee breakin 1938 and asked if there was a foundation at Georgia, my alma mater, where we could get help in establishing these awards. Well, Mr. Drewry was my mentor and a good friend at the university, and I suggested him to Mr. Kay." John Drewry was dean of the School of Journalism at UGA. Kay called him--and together they founded the Peabody Awards. (Information and quotes from the University of Georgia).
DANA WATERS
News reporter for WSB Radio during the 30’s. One of a team that broadcast details of the festivities surrounding the premier of the movie Gone With The Wind.
LOU ZOLLER
One of five men who formed the core of announcers at WSB in the decade of the '30s. He was also director of the "Sunset Club" on WSB Radio in the 1930's.
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