[BC] John Cameron Swayze

[Gary Peterson]

My earliest recollection of John Cameron Swayze was his network TV newscast
around '54 or '55. (probably on KSD-TV or KMOX-TV in St. Louis)  IIRC,
network newscasts were 15 minutes long, back then.  I recall seeing several
model 15 TTY machines in the background and a sign on the front of the news
desk that said "Camel cigarettes."

When I started in radio in '65, the old fellow was doing some afternoon
newscasts on ABC (the feed that started at 54:30).  Somehow, that reminded
me of one April fool's day when the ten second tone that preceded the ABC
news feed was not present.  Instead, each hour, there were various sound
effects.  At least one newscast came ten seconds after a rooster crowing.  I
assume this came from network HQ.  However, we received our ABC feed from
IMN (Intermountain Network) and maybe the humor was inserted in Salt Lake
City.  After ABC became available by satellite, IMN seemed to fade into
obscurity.

Waxing nostalgic,

Gary Peterson, K?CX
Rapid City, SD

" They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Cameron Swayze is the son of John Cameron Swayze.
When the elder was alive, I recall listening to WCBS one day when the son
wished his father a happy birthday.

I thought that was pretty cool.

David P. Reaves, III "