WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

BY DAN MILLER
(originally posted October 13, 2005)

OK, by popular demand, here's the scoop on some of my former Channel 4 colleagues.

Last week I listed some folks I've worked with in the past, and judging by your emails, lots of you are wondering "where are they now?"
Some of them still live in Nashville..... some have moved away..... some I simply don't know..... and some are deceased.

Here's what I know about some former Channel 4-mates.:

Jud Collins... (he was king-of-the-hill.... Mr. Television in Nashville for years)... Sad to report that Jud passed away on Dec. 26, 2008 at the age of 89.

Teddy Bart... (perhaps the most versatile broadcaster I've ever worked with)... Teddy is living on a farm in Coffee County, Tennessee. He ended his long running radio show Teddy Bart's Roundtable. Teddy has written a new novel.

Dave Overton... deceased.

Bob Olsen... (was weathercaster and announcer when I first came here)... Bob's a retired corporate attorney, still living in Nashville.

Lonnie Lardner... (my co-anchor here for 5 years)... Lonnie's living in Los Angeles... conducting corporate art workshops... shooting a documentary... opening a safe school for South Central L.A. kids.

Sir Cecil Creep (Russ McCown)... deceased

Ben Thomas... (former, brief host of Noon Show in 1980s, and one-time soap opera actor)... I'm told Ben died in NYC in summer of 2008

George Goldtrap... (weatherman who used to toss the chalk in his pocket)... he's now a public speaker and author, living in Florida.

Huell Howser... (long time feature reporter here)... Huell has his own production company in Los Angeles, where he produces several popular shows for KCET public television.

Pat Sajak... (was announcer and weathercaster here)... Pat lives in Maryland most of the time... still hosts Wheel of Fortune... also owns radio stations and part of a baseball league... and yes, we're still pals.

Paul Eells... (was sportscaster and voice of Commodores)... more recently the voice of the Arkansas Razorbacks, Paul sadly died in a car crash in the summer of 2006.

Mike Bohan... (the most naturally funny person I've ever known)... Mike is the announcer and sidekick on Gerry House's morning show on WSIX-FM.

John Tesh... (we co-anchored for a year in the 1970s)... now popular musician and radio show host.

Maria Beale Fletcher (former Miss America & Noon Show co-host)... I've lost track of Maria.

Bob Jordan... (was announcer here)... Bob anchors the news, and reports, on WGN-TV in Chicago.

Charlie McAlexander... After a stint as voice of the South Carolina Gamecocks, he moved with his family back to Nashville. He's now doing play-by-play on football games for MTSU, and remains one of the best.

Carol Marin... (my co-anchor for a year or so)... now a columnist for Chicago Sun Times.... investigative reporter for WMAQ-TV in Chicago... and independent documentary producer.

Aaron Mermelstein... (popular, long time reporter)... Aaron is now a freelance writer and TV producer and director, living in St. Louis.

Dave Daughtry... (former anchor and News Director at Channel 4)... now hosting a radio show in Pensacola, Florida.

Joe Fisher... (worked here at Channel 4 from the time he was a mere teenager)... now the play by play voice of the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Boyce Hawkins... deceased.

Elaine Gannick... (she co-hosted Noon Show with Teddy Bart)... now a media consultant here in Nashville, and shows up on various TV projects from time to time.

Jeff McAtee.... Jeff was recently a news anchor at WWMT-TV in Kalamazoo, Michigan, but resigned in mid 2008 to become full time Commander in U.S. Navy.

Virg Jacques.... (was weekend anchor and reporter here)... Virg became an anchor in Detroit, Baltimore, and -- last I heard -- Washington DC.

Bill Williams (the rhyming weatherman)... deceased.

Al Tompkins... (world class journalist and former News Director at Channel 4)... now staff member and teacher at Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Noon Show Band... unfortunately, I've lost track of Dutch, Joe, and the guys, but I'm told almost all are now deceased.

Charlie Chase... (hosted midday show here)... Charlie's now hosting morning show on Channel 17.

Ralph Christian... deceased.

Carolyn Lawrence... (former consumer reporter)... recently worked in public relations at Cheekwood.

Tony Lyons... (former entertainment reporter and Opry announcer)... runs Mulligan's Pub downtown.

Floyd Kephart... (former political commentator and my sidekick on election nights)... Floyd was back in town for awhile, we had dinner a few times, but now I've lost contact with him.

Bill Markham... (weekend anchor here)... now anchoring the news at WRCB in Chattanooga.

Faith Fancher... (was Faith Baugh when she worked at Channel 4, and her life story is remarkable)... deceased.

John Siegenthaler... now working in family's PR firm in New York City.

Sharon Puckett.... hosting early morning newscast on Channel 17.

Lamar Alexander... (was political commentator)... Lamar is doing quite well... now a U.S. Senator.

Jeanne Downey... (former reporter and weekend anchor)... I lost track of Jeanne after she left WCBS-TV in New York.

John Bibb... (worked for the Tennessean, but did Sunday night sports with me for a while in early 70s, on Nashville's very first hour long newscast)... deceased.

Ralph Emery... semi-retired, but does some commercials, and I'm told is working on a new internet country program in Nashville.

Al Voecks... (former anchor and News Director) now newscaster and part of the House Foundation morning show gang on WSIX-FM, and also regular on Tennessee Crossroads on WNPT.

Andy Pearson... anchoring news in Little Rock.

James Lewis... is now working as photographer here in Nashville.

Ernie Freeman... morning show host for WHBQ in Memphis.

For now, that's all I know.

___________________________________

Comments

[Robbin Home Tenea]

Hey Dan... I used to live at Knollwood Apts in Nashville and was friends with your daughter Jennifer. I remember you had an older son too. My mother was Judy Home and we lived up on the other side of the pool. Jennifer and I used to play with another little girl who lived at the other end of my building. I think this little girl's mom and her friend used to babysit for you. This was around 1976 to 78 I think... Anyway I live in Tampa now and was wondering how Jennifer was doing...- Robbin

[Allen Muse]

Just viewed this for the first time and enjoyed hearing about some of the "old" timers. I worked at 'SMV as a reporter in the late 80's after stints at Channel 2, Channel 5 and in Omaha, NE as an anchor.
Wonder if you know the whereabouts of Newt Danely and Bob Bomar, former Channel 4 photogs. I had a ball working with them. Also, I have heard Jim Fulbright, reporter, is now a pilot for the State of Tennesee.

['By George' Goldtrap]

DAN...Peg and I live, since 1998, on the beach at Ormond By The Sea FL, just north of DAYTONA. My second book, Humor is My Heritage, was just released. Still operate my company Happy Talk Int. (www.happytalk.org) and still loving life.

[Joe]

I would really like to know what the theme music was called for the old Channel 4 Scene At Ten in the late '70's and through the '80's.

It was by far the best closoing theme music you had for the program.

Been trying like crazy to find out the title of the usical piece.

thanks...

[MARGARET NUTTING]

I truly enjoyed reading this information. As I get older, I pleasure memories more and wander backward in years from time to time. It's always a pleasure to see where everyone is. I am trying to find something, so I have a questions for you. In the early 1970's, WSM, Channel 4 sponsored a talent search across Tennessee. I can't remember if the host was Teddy Bart, Boyce Hawkins or someone else. I remember a young boy (red headed) being on the show as a co-host (possibly a previous winner or a performer). Judges would go to a designated town in each region or area and talent competitions were held. Approximately 10 (I think) were chosen from each location to appear on Channel 4. Viewer's voted by mailing in post cards identifying their favorite performer. I think the show aired early to mid-morning. I can't remember which day of the week. I was fortunate enough to have been part of a group who was chosen to perform on the show. I am in search of any pictures, information and hopefully, taped/recorded shows. I appreciate any help you could give me. Little did I know then, we were probably helping birth the American Idol, years later. HA! HA! Only joking. I look forward to hearing from you.

[Patrick L]

Dan,

I lived in Cookeville back in the '70s and channel 4 was a favorite at our house. I moved back to North Carolina years ago but still get back to Middle Tennessee whenever possible as I love it so much there. I loved all the folks at the station and often wondered what they were up to through the years. Thanks for answering my questions.

Patrick

[Thanks for the memories]

Dan,

Thanks for bringing us up-to-date. I grew up in Nashville and remember almost all of these people. It is alsway good to look back at the memories. My family's business was a frequent sponosor on WSM and you and I actually met when I was a kid (I know you don't remember it). I remember my parents talking about you and the fine person that they thought you and the staff were. I am glad to hear that you and Pat still talk. Thanks again for the memories. I will always remember the "good ole days". Brian V.

[Jerry Simpson]

Dan, Do you know what ever happened to Dan McDaniel, former weatherman in WSMV? Thank You.

[Dan]

I haven't seen Dan McDaniel since he left WSMV.
Several "spottings" have been reported to me, so I assume he's still around town, but he did a pretty good vanishing act.
I'm surprised he's not turned up on TV somewhere since he's a talented broadcaster and a heck of a pleasant guy.
Dan

[David Small]

Dan: In the early '70's, there was a singer who often appeared on Teddy's noon show whose name was Corky Threlkill or something similar. He sounded a lot like Nat King Cole. I always wanted to get a hold of Corky's recordings. Do you know anything about him? Is he still performing? Thank you for bringing us up to date on some of our favaorite people. Best wishes.
David Small
Pearland, Texas

[Dan]

Hmmm.. Corky Threlkill is not ringing a bell with me at all.
Let me do a little research and see what I can find.
We had a wonderful singer named Orsa Lia (or Leah)who I've not heard anything about in years.

[Jerry Davis]

Hi, Dan,

My wife is convinced that you were a television reporter in New Orleans, perhaps late 1960s or early 1970s. True??

[Dan Miller]

Nope... sorry.
I've had some wonderful trips to New Orleans, and did a week long series of remotes from there for CBS in 1989, but I've never lived there.

[Jackie Everett Casto]

Dan,I am an old friend of Tony Lyons from Jr. High and High School.Your information stated that he now owns Mulligan's Pub .Is that in downtown Nashville?My class Pres. needs that information so that we can send him information about reunions etc?I hope that you receive this and that you can help us locate him.Our graduating class would be very thankful.I talked to him in the 80's when he was an announcer for WSM.Thank you for your trouble.Jackie Everett Casto

[Victor Cantrell]

Dan McDaniel lives in Nashville. Not sure what he is doing for a living, but he is still a very nice man. We talked about old times in Nashville for about 2 hours today.