2003 marks my 40th year on Earth and my 25th year as a broadcaster. I grew up in Fayetteville, Tennessee and cannot remember a time that WAAY Television was not a part of my life. Even as a pre-schooler, I was fascinated by radio and television. One of my earliest memories was visiting Channel 31 with my father and brother, and appearing (briefly) on "Coffee Break" with Johnny Evans and Mary Beaton. My dad was acquainted with Johnny and was able to arrange a studio tour. We were allowed to actually sit on the "31 News" set while the program aired live - what a thrill! I remember touring the facility and meeting Adrian Gibson. He told us something like, "This is a newsroom. You're really not seeing us... we're ghosts!" I never understood what Adrian meant until years later when I got into the biz... news people are supposed to be out in the field covering stories, not hanging out at the station.
Several years later it was a thrill to be a part of the WAAY-TV/Radio team (in radio production and, later, TV weather). There is no doubt that WAAY served as a significant and positive influence in a broadcasting career that has been very rewarding.
Look forward to seeing everyone next weekend!
John Malone
VP/Programming
Lite 96.9 WRSA
Huntsville, AL
jmalone@lite969.com
[ Note from John's web page on WRSA 96.9 FM ] - - - John’s civic involvement has included terms as a board member for Food Bank of North Alabama, the Arthritis Foundation, and the Huntsville Heritage Foundation. For three and a half years, he was President of the North Alabama American Diabetes Association chapter. He has also been a longtime member of the planning committee for the Alabama Music Hall of Fame awards show and banquet, and was a class member of Leadership Huntsville-Madison County (1996-97).
As a public speaker, John has worked alongside notables such as the late newsman Charles Kuralt, astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Alan Bean, and actors William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy.
John’s work in Huntsville has earned him three first place awards as the city’s “Favorite Air Personality” as selected by readers of the Huntsville Times. He has also been honored by the Associated Press for outstanding spot news coverage.