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Obit: Ralph Epperson, WPAQ Radio (May 2006)
| tarheel | 02 Jun 06 - 03:30 PM | |
| RangerSteve | 02 Jun 06 - 03:46 PM | |
| Tannywheeler | 03 Jun 06 - 06:41 AM | |
| Joe Offer | 03 Jun 06 - 08:42 PM | |
| GUEST,Hootenanny | 04 Jun 06 - 09:07 AM | |
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Obit: Ralph Epperson, WPAQ Radio (May 2006)
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Subject: BS: Ralph Epperson ,WPAQ Radio, Obit... From: tarheel Date: 02 Jun 06 - 03:30 PM Epperson, Ralph Deward MOUNT AIRY - Mr. Ralph Deward Epperson, 85, of 312 Robin Road, Mount Airy, passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2006, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Mr. Epperson was born April 5, 1921, in Patrick County, Va., to the late Harry and Lula Watson Epperson. Mr. Epperson graduated from Blue Ridge High School in Ararat, Va., and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in radio engineering from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Ark. He later received an honorary doctorate law degree from John Brown University. He worked at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., during World War II. Mr. Epperson founded the first radio station, WPAQ 740 AM, in Surry County in 1948. Throughout the years, he founded and helped organize WBRG in Lynchburg, Va.; WPNC AM and FM in Plymouth; WPMH in Portsmouth, Va.; and WBRF 98.1 FM in Galax, Va. Ralph received numerous community-service awards and made many contributions to the preservation of music native to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and Virginia. In addition to his many awards, Ralph received the "Roses While You Live Award" from the National Council for the Traditional Arts and was recently inducted into the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. N.C. Gov. James Hunt presented Mr. Epperson the Governor's Award for Small Businesses. He has numerous recordings in The National Archives of the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institute and the library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. When applying for his broadcasting license, Ralph made a commitment to the FCC that he would set aside time each day to promote local musicians and to maintain a family-oriented style of programming, including the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Ralph was a faithful member and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church in Mount Airy for many years. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Earlene Shaw Epperson, of the home; two children and spouses, Deborah and John Stringer of Galax and Kelly and Jennifer Epperson of Mount Airy; five grandchildren and a spouse, Brian and Annette Sizer, Steven Sizer, Virginia Sizer, Hal Epperson and Jillian Epperson; two stepgrandchildren, Elizabeth Stringer and Mary Plant; four siblings and spouses, Harry Arnold Epperson Jr. and Olive Epperson of Winston-Salem, Roy and Josie Epperson of Claudville, Va., Mary Lee King of Mount Airy and Stuart and Nancy Epperson of Winston-Salem; several nieces and nephews; and a sister-in-law, Betty Shaw Phillips, of Greensboro. In addition to his parents, Mr. Epperson was preceded in death by a sister, Lucy Epperson Bowman. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 4, at First Baptist Church in Mount Airy. The service will be officiated by Dr. Roger Gilbert. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 3, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church in Mount Airy. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 714 N. Main St., Mount Airy, NC 27030, or to Unity Presbyterian Church, c/o Georgia Watson Anderson, 400 Mears Road, Claudville, VA 24076. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the Epperson family. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Ralph Epperson ,WPAQ Radio, Obit... From: RangerSteve Date: 02 Jun 06 - 03:46 PM Check out the CD on Rounder devoted to recordings taken from the WPAQ archives. What great music! It's always a pleasure to tune them in on trips down through VA and NC. Real bluegrass, Old-time, and good gospel music, the kind you ususally can't get on the radio. Thanks, Mr. Epperson. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Ralph Epperson ,WPAQ Radio, Obit... From: Tannywheeler Date: 03 Jun 06 - 06:41 AM Well, darn. But look at the lesson here: keep going to the music and those who make it, and SHARE the knowledge as broadly as possible. That's what this site is about. God Bless those whose lives are about enlightening ignorance............. Tw |
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Subject: RE: OBIT: Ralph Epperson, WPAQ Radio (May 2006) From: Joe Offer Date: 03 Jun 06 - 08:42 PM The Rounder CD is a pleasure to listen to. This page (click) has full information, but here's the track listing and summary information:
WPAQ of Mount Airy, NC is a radio station in the classic southern tradition. Since signing on in 1948, it has featured live local and touring professional artists performing old time, bluegrass, and traditional gospel music. With uncommon consistency, the station has reflected the musical values of its community for more than fifty years. Fortunately, many early performances were recorded. This album showcases a selection of musical treasures from the first years of WPAQ. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Epperson, WPAQ Radio (May 2006) From: GUEST,Hootenanny Date: 04 Jun 06 - 09:07 AM I hope that station WPAQ continues it's policy of championing the music. I'm sure that Ralph and his station are one of the main reasons that the old time music remains so popular in the area and makes the Mount Airy fiddler's convention (This very week-end 2nd-3rd June)so successful Here's to you Ralph RIP. |
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