Athens, OH was/is situated in a unique spot in regards to television markets. We got the major networks from Columbus, OH and from the Huntington/Charleston, WV markets. WSAZ was the NBC affiliate in Huntington/Charleston. In fact, it occupied the largest market share of any NBC station in the country. In other words, it dominated its market.

One of its most popular programs, and regularly watched by my parents, was Saturday Night Barn Dance. Yes, it sounds corny–and it was. Country songs and square dancing by a cast of regulars. Yeehaw! It was broadcast live by WSAZ from their studio in Huntington.

I remember at least two occasions we journeyed to Huntington to sit in the audience. It was a big event for our family. We usually went down a day early and stayed in a motel.

In the studio, we sat on benches with 50-60 other people comprising the audience. We were really up close to the stage. I was more fascinated by the lights and cameras.

The second time we went there, we got there early enough to get a tour of the control room. I count that as the spark which led me to major in Radio/TV production and management in college. And I was lucky enough that Ohio University had/has one of the top 5 Radio/TV programs in the country.