Year of the Humanities @ Furman

Broadcast Pioneers

In the 1950s, Charlie Walker was a popular personality on WDKD AM in Kingstree. But in 1961, his colorful language drew the attention of the Federal Communications Commission. He was forced to resign after hearings that brought national publicity to rural Williamsburg County. In the summer of 2004, Dr. Armstrong and Communication majors Alison Jarrett and Dwan Cutler interviewed Charlie Walker at his home in Kingstree. He recalled the importance of radio to the people of Williamsburg County, and compared his battle with the FCC to the controversy over shock jock Howard Stern 40 years later.

Wilfred Walker had a long career as a teacher at Sterling High, Greenville's all-black high school in the days of segregation. In 1948, he broadcast Sterling's football games on WESC AM and became South Carolina's first African-American sportscaster. He later had his own variety show on WESC. In August, 2004 he told Dr. Armstrong and student Dwan Cutler about the events that led to him breaking the color barrier on South Carolina radio.


Home Furman National Endowment for the Humanities	Broadcast Pioneers In the 1950s, Charlie Walker was a popular personality on WDKD AM in Kingstree. But in 1961, his colorful language drew the attention of the Federal Communications Commission. He was forced to resign after hearings that brought national publicity to rural Williamsburg County. In the summer of 2004, Dr. Armstrong and Communication majors Alison Jarrett and Dwan Cutler interviewed Charlie Walker at his home in Kingstree. He recalled the importance of radio to the people of Williamsburg County, and compared his battle with the FCC to the controversy over shock jock Howard Stern 40 years later. Wilfred Walker had a long career as a teacher at Sterling High, Greenville's all-black high school in the days of segregation. In 1948, he broadcast Sterling's football games on WESC AM and became South Carolina's first African-American sportscaster. He later had his own variety show on WESC. In August, 2004 he told Dr. Armstrong and student Dwan Cutler about the events that led to him breaking the color barrier on South Carolina radio.