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Company President W. L. "Mr. Pete" Nininger Dies
We at Bristol Broadcasting Company were saddened at the passing of our company president. W. L. “Mr. Pete” Nininger died after a brief illness on October 11, 2006. He was 81.
Mr. Pete began his broadcast career with a single AM station in Bristol, Virginia, in the 1950’s and grew the company to own 21 radio stations in four states. He genuinely loved every aspect of the radio business and was involved in the day-to-day management of the stations until his death. By hiring and retaining talented employees and using the latest technologies at his stations, Mr. Pete achieved outstanding success building the top-rated stations in each of the markets he served.
Mr. Pete also enjoyed farming and was an avid American Saddlebred Horseman operating a stable of champion horses. During World War II, Mr. Pete was a flight instructor and continued flying his private plane throughout his life. He was a member and former Chairman of the Virginia Highlands Airport Commission at Abingdon, Virginia.
Mr. Pete, who we loved as a leader, mentor, and friend, will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by us all at Bristol Broadcasting Company.
Mr. Pete was succeeded as President of Bristol Broadcasting Company by his daughter, Lisa Nininger Hale, who has been active in the operation of the stations for more than 25 years.
Paducah General Manager Gary Morse Honored
Gary Morse, General Manager for Bristol Broadcasting Company's Paducah, Kentucky, stations was honored in November 2005 by the Paducah-McCracken County
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Branch of the NAACP for his contributions to the community. The Community Service Award came as a result of efforts undertaken by Morse and Bristol Broadcasting Company aimed at the betterment of the minority community in the Paducah area. For several years Morse has hosted "Save the Males", an interview program on News Talk WKYX, that stresses the importance of a growing spiritual walk for men. Morse was actively involved in the launch of Bristol Broadcasting Company's new urban station WDXR-AM 1450 "The Touch" in Paducah which features abundant rhythm and blues, soul, and black gospel music. Morse has added special programming elements to the station aimed at educating the area about contributions to the community by local individuals from the minority community. "Paducah Black History Minute" is a daily vignette series that spotlights such contributions. About the new station Morse said, "There has been a tremendous void for an urban format in Paducah, and I've wanted to fill the vacuum for years." Morse was presented the Community Service Award by J. W. Cleary, local NAACP President.
Bristol Broadcasting Newscaster Ned Michaels Dies
Veteran newsman and long-time Bristol Broadcasting Company employee Ned Michaels, whose legal name was Edward Michael Ryan, died December 9, 2005. He was 64. Ned Michaels’ long career in broadcasting began when he joined Bristol Broadcasting Company in 1969. He then worked as news reporter, news anchor, or news director for several radio and television stations in Tennessee and North Carolina before returning to Bristol in 2003 as news reporter and anchor for SuperTalk WFHG and WXBQ. Ned was a rabid baseball fan always rooting for the New York Mets. He also was a fan of the Carolina Panthers. Ned was a member of the Bristol Host Lions Club and sang in the choir at St. Anne Catholic Church in Bristol where he was a member. For his dedication to his craft, his long hours of hard work, he warm demeanor, and his friendship, Ned will be greatly missed by all of us at Bristol Broadcasting Company.
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