The Museum

Broadcast Legends

Welcome to North Carolina Broadcast legends

Preserving the Voices of Innovation and Services

Discover the rich tapestry of North Carolina’s broadcasting history through the stories and experiences of its legendary pioneers. From the mountains to the coast, our state has been a cradle of innovation, technology, and public service in the world of radio and television.

North Carolina Broadcast Legends captures and shares the stories of a diverse group of North Carolina broadcast pioneers who have pushed the boundaries of radio and television serving their communities in previously untold ways.

Broadcast Legends Interviews

Each guest is featured in a half-hour studio interview as part of the series for broadcast and online streaming.

UNC-TV/NC Broadcast Legends

Dr. James Caron shares his story of a hard-fought battle with the FCC and financial institutions to secure a license to buy and operate a radio station in Fayetteville, NC. Dr. Carson has become the most successful minority broadcast owner in our state.

UNC-TV/NC Broadcast Legends

Meet Broadcast Trailblazer Carl Venters, who got an early start in the field working at UNC-TV and then starting the first Album Oriented Rock (AOR) format radio station in the country.

UNC-TV/NC Broadcast Legends

Meet Charlie Gaddy, a retired and long-time television news anchor with WRAL-TV. Charlie, who grew up in Biscoe, NC, broke into broadcasting by serving as a Paige at NBC, later becoming one of the most respected television news anchors in the business.

UNC-TV/NC Broadcast Legends

Meet Broadcast Trailblazer George Beasley, who took his first AM radio station, to then build one of the largest family-owned radio station groups in the country. Beasely Broadcast Group, Inc.

UNC-TV/NC Broadcast Legends

Meet Jim Goodmon, Chairm and and CEO of Capitol Broadcast Company, Jim is a broadcast pioneer and innovative leader in the broadcast industry.

UNC-TV/NC Broadcast Legends

Meet Broadcast Trailblazer Bob Horner, who got his early broadcast training as a sportswriter for his grade school newspaper. Bob continued his training and developed reporting skills as an Army Journalist in Korea.

UNC-TV/NC Broadcast Legends

Meet Don Curties, broadcast pioneer, who got is start in broadcasting serving as a deejay in Kings Mountain, NC. Don is the largest owner of radio stations in our state and serves as Chairman and CEO of Curtis Media Group.

UNC-TV/NC Broadcast Legends

Bill Rollins is former Chairman and COO of the Surburban Radio Group. Bill was not only a radio group owner, but an industry leader whose vision at both the state and national levels have impacted nearly every broadcast facility in our state.

UNC-TV/NC Broadcast Legends

Jim Heavner shares his story of working as the Cleveland County Correspondent for the Charlotte Observer as a high school kid. Jim pressed on in his career to become a well-known analyst and producer with the Tarheel Sports Network and owner of the Village Broadcasting Companies.

UNC-TV/NC Broadcast Legends

Meet Cullie Tarleton, whose accomplishments in broadcasting have been impactful on both the state and national levels. Cullie served as General Manager of both WBT Radio, and WBTV television.

UNC-TV/NC Broadcast Legends

Jim Babb built a successful career in broadcast as the President and CEO of Jefferson-Pilot Communications. He also served as Chairman of NAB’s Television Board and is former Chairman of the Board of BMI.

UNC-TV/NC Broadcast Legends

Wade Hargrove is one of the most respected and influential media lawyers in the country. Before becoming an attorney, Wade worked as a radio deejay in Clinton, NC.

UNC-TV/NC Broadcast Legends

Bob Harper got his start in broadcasting as a part-time disc jockey in college. He served as president of NCAB and was the president and CEO of Coastal Plains Broadcasting Company.

Roundtable Discussions

Two one-hour roundtable discussions were recorded with broadcasters sharing stories of North Carolina’s distinctive broadcast history

Want to make a difference?

Help us tune into the past and amplify the future

Scroll to Top