Gordon McLendon

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.

"[Readers] will be entranced by the biography about undeniably the most important figure in radio programming and management at mid-century. . . . A joy to read!"-David MacFarland, ?. . . Ronald Garay has helped us better understand that American broadcasting means far more than NBC, CBS, and ABC.?-Business History Review, ?This is a well-researched and well-written assessment of a fascinating period in radio, as seen through the life of a key figure who helped bring on the changes radio then needed.?-Communication Booknotes, ." . . Ronald Garay has helped us better understand that American broadcasting means far more than NBC, CBS, and ABC."-Business History Review, "This is a well-researched and well-written assessment of a fascinating period in radio, as seen through the life of a key figure who helped bring on the changes radio then needed."-Communication Booknotes

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).