In our travel through life we meet many interesting folks, many wonderful people who leave their mark in our memory bank for all the good reasons…We have an article online about Kent Dunn, a young man who came to Bladen County (WBLA) in the early 80’s from Central Carolina Community College… A delightful young man who has made huge strides in his career… Now in the Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida area managing 5 or 6 radio stations… He was and is a delightful young man who has made his mark in the broadcasting business… Kent was not flashy, just rock solid…
Then there was John Tomlin…came to WBLA from NC State. His dad was a medical doctor in Concord, mom was in the cabinet of Gov. Holshouser or Gov. Martin… memory fails. John was driven… He was in news at WBLA, he had other responsibilities, but news was his ‘thing’, and he was like a ‘bull in the china shop’… Had one politician tell me he would pay his moving expenses if we would fire him…
He and I secured a construction permit to build a radio station in Moore County. Before we could make the arrangements to build the station, he decided to return to school and work on his Masters Degree… Good move on his part. We sold the permit and he headed to Boston U and has had very successful career on the ‘big stage’.
Tomlin later produced ‘Inside Edition’ and ‘Current Affair’ for a long time… Today, he continues to produce for Powderhouse Productions… One of his long running productions is Animal Planet… He does a lot of other animal related productions…
We shared Christmas cards for a few years, a long time ago…
Just a couple of very successful, delightful folks who began their careers at WBLA.
My point being, we had some very talented, young folks come our way that have gone on to do great work….there were others……
“Be true to your work, your word and your friends.” Henry David Thoreau
“It’s the friends you can call up at 4 a.m. that matter.” Marlene Dietrich
“There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate.” Linda Grayson
robert g hester
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