“Get your head out of the bed, you ain’t listenin’ to a word I said. Spray them pits and eat them grits while the Morning Man Show plays them hits!” Such was the snappy patter of Pierce County’s most famous radio voice, Troy Mattox.
The Pierce County Historical Society recently enjoyed a walk down memory lane with Mattox as the featured speaker.
As a teen, Mattox got his start at the local radio station, and after serving in Vietnam, he worked hard to make his dream a reality. In 1979, WKUB 97.7 hit the airwaves, and he later grew his business to include WWUF 105.1 and WSGT 107.1. Many society members fondly recalled listening to those stations while working in the tobacco fields or catching Georgia Football games on the radio.
Mattox shared many incredible memories from his broadcasting career. Looking back, Mattox said on of his funniest memories was of his giving the daily tobacco market prices straight from the warehouses, right alongside the hospital report of who had been admitted and discharged each day. In those days, they actually announced who was in the hospital on the radio.
Mattox also reminisced about the many ballgames in Pierce County’s history, including the infamous 1963 Blackshear Tigers vs. Patterson Eagles matchup.
Games back then were broadcast live on Friday nights, then replayed Saturday morning.
Mattox said broadcasting also gave him the chance to interview several political icons, such as Jimmy Carter and Zell Miller, and he vividly recalled the day he was reporting live when news broke that President John F. Kennedy had been assassinated.
“The world of radio has impacted Pierce County in so many ways and has given us all countless memories to cherish. We’re so thankful for Mr. Mattox’s time, stories, and the lasting legacy he’s created right here in Pierce County,” said one Historical Society member.
The next Historical Society meeting will be at 6 p.m. October 27.
