joe rumore - Inducted 1999

Joe Rumore (born; July 14, 1920 Birmingham AL) has been called Alabama's premiere radio personality for more than forty years. He began his radio career at WJLD, Bessemer AL. Rumore then worked at WAPI Birmingham AL (1941-1948) before joining WVOK, the Mighty 690, with 50,000 watts of power that was able to reach north and central Alabama as well as parts of Mississippi, Tennessee and Georgia (1948-1982). In rural areas, WVOK was the only radio station many people could receive. At one point was also on WBAM, Montgomery AL via tape. For most of his career he had a studio in his home and broadcast from his basement, making his family and delivery persons part of the show.. He was never a station employee, but bought the time from the station and sold his own advertising. He was known for playing a variety of music and was quoted in the Birmingham News "I could play Ray Price "For The Good Times and then turn right around and play Tony Bennett" He retired from radio in 1982. Rumore died on December 20, 1993 after bypass surgery. Joe Rumore was inducted into the Country Music D J Hall of Fame in 1999.