Beecher Hyde not slowing down at 95; still contributing to WBSA radio
By DONNA THORNTON, Editor
The Boaz Legacy Museum’s doors were open Thursday to celebrate a special figure in the city’s legacy.
Beecher Hyde, a fixture in local radio for decades, marked his 95th birthday Nov. 5, and he spent the next morning participating in a live remote WBSA broadcast from the museum from 8:30 to 10 that morning, with cake served at 11 a.m.
Hyde said the celebration was for him and WBSA radio’s Chris Watkins, who had a birthday Nov. 7. The party, Hyde explained, came right in the middle. “I’m 95,” Hyde said, “and he’s 53.”
During the broadcast and between it and the cutting of the cake, Hyde had time to meet and greet old friends and make new ones.
Museum Director Wayne Hunt recalled Hyde’s career, beginning with a number of years’ work at WAVU. He then left Boaz for a while and he drove a truck for a number of years, delivering cars for the local auto auction.
Then Hyde got back into the radio business at WBSA.
“He had a knack for talking to people,” Hunt said, during his years on the air. “And he could make anybody talk.”
Hyde had the opportunity to interview a lot of people in the early days of country music, when the artists would visit local stations to help ensure they got their records played. He also appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, according to Hunt. “Quite a career.”
Hyde recalled those days on the radio and some of the famous folks he had the chance to talk to.
“Coach Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant, and that cowboy from Wilcox, Arizona – he’s got a son that was a country music star — Rex Allen!” Hyde brought to mind. He interviewed Kentucky basketball coach Adolph Rupp and “the richest man in the world, Rodman Rockefeller’s son.”
Another radio guest that made a great impression on Hyde: Chester Gould, the American cartoonist best known as the creator of the Dick Tracy comic strip.
“He came by the station to interview (with) me,” Hyde said proudly.
A number of local people felt the same urge. As one guest said — after exchanging a warm hug with Hyde — he had things he need to do that morning, “but when I heard about this I had to come in.”
Many of the friends Beecher Hyde has made during a 58-year career in local radio came out to the Boaz Legacy Museum on Thursday, Nov. 6, to celebrate. From left are Jeff Milwee, Hyde, Chris Watkins and Casey Underwood. Hyde turned 95 on Nov. 5; he remains on the air at WBSA. Photo by DONNA THORNTON l The Leader
