Buddy Ray - WWVA

[Cincinnati Kid]

Would anyone know what happened to Buddy Ray who used to have the all-night program at WWVA in the 1970's?  I knew him when he worked in south-central Kentucky radio in 1963-64.  Thanks for any information.

[Graham]

Buddy Ray was the best Country DJ. I would be a guest on his show many times. I was one of the English guys that had some fun on his show. I lived in Wheeling WV near the Capital Music Hall (the show came from there) 12:00 midnight to 6:00am. WWVA was the best Country station in the USA. Buddy moved to Nashville (not in the music business now) I saw him once in Nashville, don't know where he is now, I would sure like to see him. I think he would be great on the XM radio system, Willies place, old country music channel 13. Good days at WWVA. I came over from England 30 or so years ago, for some good country music and I am still here. thanks to Buddy and the radio station WWVA.  Regards Graham.

[justplaythehits]

I last saw Buddy when he was working in Nashville during the mid 80s.  He was with US 107 which later became CHR under Jacor.  I'm told he was selling cars for a while but lost touch with him.

We worked together at WWVA during 75-77.  I did his night off, the Sunday morning version of Country Roads Show while attending Bethany College.

The station signal was simply amazing. Buddy had a huge following all over the east coast.  He also did a great job as MC of the Jamboree. 

Alan Furst
Round Rock Tx

[John1]

I was on college radio station WESS East Stroudsburg, Pa. 1972-74 with the only country radio show in the Poconos at that time, and was invited by a local concert promoter to judge a local country talent show at an outdoor country music park in the area on the 4th of July 1973.  The other judge was Buddy Ray from WWVA.  The crowd loved him and treated him like a local dj, even though WWVA was about 300 miles away.
After the contest he led a jam session with all the musicians present joining in.

I miss the days when so many of the 50,000 watters had their own in-house all night country music/trucker shows.  WWVA, WBT, WRVA, WBAP, WSM, WWL, WHO, KVOO, KRAK, etc.  One by one they consolidated into syndicated music and/or talk shows.

[justplaythehits]

Buddy had a huge following all over the eastern US and Canada. 

Main Street was always filled with tour buses from hundreds of miles away that brought fans to the Jamboree. 

The studio phones rang all night.  Those stations were truly powerhouses.  For years I'd meet people who would tell me they would listen to me on 'Wheeling'. 

Buddy had a great ability to connect with people.  There were several truck shows at that time including Charlie Douglas and Dave Nemo on WWL, Big John on WRVA, Bill Mac on WBAP among them.  Buddy was probably the biggest character of them all. A little wild and a lot of fun on the air.

The station had a good daytime staff too. Charlie Cook was PD and mornings for a while, Bob Finnigan did mornings before he left for channel 7.  Bill Berg, Bob Barawick 'Cousin Bob' were pretty much the regular line-up during the mid 70s.  Bob Cain was news director. 

Sad to see what's happened to Music Hall and the Jamboree tradition. It really was something special at the time.

Alan Furst
Round Rock Tx

[justplaythehits]

I am pleased to let you know Buddy Ray is alive and well and living near Nashville.   He is retired and playing a lot of golf.

We had a great conversation about the Wheeling days.  He is still in contact with some of the Jamboree perfomers. 

The voice sounds the same and he still tells a great story. 

Alan Furst
Round Rock Tx

[lemoine]

I was in the sales department when Buddy was hosting the all night show back in the 70's.  My wife and I spent several days with him doing a broadcast from Atlanta.  And I do remember you Alan.

We have been in Fl for the  past 20 yrs but are moving back to the HILLS...........just plain miss them.

[enichols5]

  Alan, or someone please tell me how to get in touch with Buddy???  We were friends for all the years he was in Wheeling. We looked after each other through both of our divorces. We exchanged mail during my 3 years in the Marine Corps. I spent many a night in the studio on that squeeky old white stool. The first night Buddy worked on the air I showed up at the door, pushed the hidden doorbell button, and introduced myself with a hot cup of coffee. That was the first time he did the thing with the screeching sound of the top coming off the styrofoam cup, and took a long loud slurp followed by a satisfied ahhhhhhhhh (grounds for divorce). I still remember Corrine Cunningham, (the ugliest woman in the world) and Jonesie the cleaning lady.(she just passed away last year). If anyone could get Buddy my email address, you have no idea how much it would mean to me. I have searched for him since that day after Jamboree in the hills when he left and his home phone just went dead. If anyone knows where he is and can contact him, tell him Ed Nichols is still looking for him. email -- enichols5@triad.rr.com  Phone 336-775-7307    Thanks

[enichols5]

 I just got off the phone. It was a call I have thought about for 28 years. Anyone who wants to know, Mr. Buddy Ray is alive and well and in fine voice in the great state of Tennessee.  We spoke and relived the 70's in Wheeling for the better part of an hour. I have Buddy's permission to be his call screener. He doesn't have a computer or internet access, and asked me to tell all the folks looking for him that I have his phone numbers and address. Just contact me by email  enichols5@triad.rr.com  and I will pass your info along immediately.

[Jim Trefney]

In the event anyone is curious, The Wheeling Jamboree started up again this past Saturday night. The next show is May 24th at Wesbanco Arena in Wheeling. It will be broadcast on 1170. For more info visit  www.wheelingjamboree.org. Bud Forte is involved with this project.