Found! New treasures from the Luther archives

Since the death of our friend Luther Masingill on October 20, I have received many nice comments about the stories I’ve shared.  It was an honor to speak at his Celebration of Life, which was well-attended at Engel Stadium, and streamed worldwide, online by local TV and radio stations.  I’ve spoken at a couple of club meetings since his death, and it just isn’t the same talking about Luther in the past tense.  But people still love sharing Luther stories.  Lucky for me, and you, I have a few more Luther highlights you might enjoy.

In the days immediately after his passing, I used several of my favorite photos and videos in my TV and website stories, and I’ve had dozens of Luther pics on my Facebook pages for years.  Just in the past few days, while doing some fall organizing, I uncovered some items that had been overlooked.

On June 20, 2007, the Hamilton County Commission honored Luther with their “Distinguished Citizen” award, and then invited him up to say a few words.  Click and watch about two minutes of classic Luther comedy:

I also unearthed a couple of previously unseen photos of Luther from the mid-1950s, when he was on radio in the morning, and on TV each afternoon.  I don’t know where this picture was taken, but he’s posing next to a “Mr. Chickaroonie” sign.  “Chickaroonie,” as Luther fans know, was a favorite exclamation of Luther, and it became the title of a popular children’s show on WDEF-TV in the 1950s, the city’s first kids show.

Yes, that’s Luther’s photo in the baby bonnet.  Maybe someone reading this knows more about this photo.  If so, please let me know.

Here’s another one, from the same era, when Luther used to visit schools frequently.  Many folks have told me that Luther visited their school back in the day, which was quite an occasion: he was a big star on the local scene!  As you can see below, he’s leaning into a locker, as several students look on.

Here’s a quick, fun video from my YouTube channel that’s good for a laugh or two.  In 1984, Luther and I co-hosted WDEF-TV’s 30th anniversary special.  We had recorded a promo for the big show, and someone at Channel 12 saved the bloopers.  We enjoyed them so much, we made it part of the anniversary show.  Watch!

A couple of years later, in 1986, WDEF celebrated Luther’s 45th anniversary on the radio by inviting staff members from WDEF’s early years, and a couple of Luther’s great friends.  Thanks to Earl Freudenberg for contributing this cherished photo of Chattanooga radio pioneers.  They’re identified in the caption under the photo.  Most of them, like Luther graduated from Central High School.  (Vann Campbell, standing 2nd from right, was WDEF’s first morning man, and was later partnered with Luther each day.) With the passing of Luther, they’re all gone now, but I’m proud to honor them online.  If you know any of their family members, please share the link to this page!

Luther is seated, along with (L-R) Ernie Feagans, Gaylord McPherson, Abe Zarzour, Bob Bosworth, Tom Nobles, Vann Campbell, and Buddy Houts.

I spoke with Mary, Luther’s beloved “first wife,” as he used to joke, earlier this week.  They were married 57 years, “til death do us part.”  She plans to attend the announcement of a new communications scholarship in his honor at Central High School.  She said she appreciates the outpouring of love by the community, and says she is receiving great support from friends, fans, and of course her wonderful family.  I will always remember spending a magical evening with Luther and Mary in Chicago on November 20, 2012 when he was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame.  There were thousands of photos taken that night, but this one is my favorite:

Luther & Mary Masingill, National Radio Hall of Fame in Chicago, November 10, 2012

What a beautiful couple.  As we finished our conversation, Mary, always elegant, always eloquent said, “He was the love of my life.  I miss him every day.  And I still talk to him every day.”