Students and others interested in radio history will be intrigued by this fast-paced biography of Gordon McLendon's career in the radio industry, touching also on his work in motion pictures and involvement in Texas politics.
Following a glimpse into his childhood, education, and military career, Ronald Garay describes McLendon's station ownership and management in Palestine, Texas; the development of a major network, the Liberty Broadcasting System; his live and recreated baseball and football programs; and his skirmishes with the major league baseball establishment. Much attention is given to how McLendon re-invented radio and competed with television and print media through his Top 40 music hits, disc jockey programming, and the use of local news. Important concerns regarding station trafficking, editorializing, and public interests are considered as well in this extraordinary book.
RONALD GARAY is Associate Professor at the Manship School of Journalism, Louisiana State University. He is the author of
Congressional Television(1984) and Cable Television (1988).
Introduction
Childhood, Education and Military Career
KNET and KLIF: First Ventures into Radio
The Liberty Broadcasting System: Halcyon Days
The Liberty Broadcasting System: Finis
KLIF and Top 40 Radio
McLendon Station Group: Acquisition and Management
McLendon Station Format Innovations
McLendon Station Editorials
Departure from Radio
Politics, Moviemaking and Other Interests
Reflections
Reference List
Bibliography
Index
![Gordon McLendon: The Maverick of Radio [Hardcover]](/itemImage/2/2/2/1/2_4719823.jpg "Gordon McLendon: The Maverick of Radio [Hardcover]")