I've been around alot of radio people over the past 30-plus years. I've seen alot of them come and go. But some were extra-special and seemed to stand out, head and shoulders above the rest. One of those was Don Freeze, who worked for many years at the old WAGG, AM-950, in Franklin, Tennessee. Don was a member of the early air staff at WAGG- back in the days when the station had first gone on the air.
When I think back on the life and times of Don Freeze, I realize I was a very fortunate person: You see...I knew Don Freeze as a personal friend- and I also knew him as one of my mentors in broadcasting. While Ernie Keller taught me radio news, it was Don Freeze who taught me how to produce an entire radio show. Don Freeze could do it all.
One day in the summer of 1975, Bill Ormes, the owner of WAGG, assigned Don to "teach me radio." He left the two of us on-the-air for the entire afternoon. I will always remember that day, just like it was yesterday. We had a great time! I never laughed so much- but I never learned so much, either. Don sure made radio work look easy- but that's because he was so talented, and it came naturally to him. He had that exceptional ability. I couldn't have asked for a better teacher!
Don Freeze won several awards for his air work in country radio. But perhaps his finest hour came when one of his biggest fans, Grant Turner, called Don up on stage one weekend during WSM's Grand Ole Opry to introduce him as one if the best country radio DJ's in the entire nation. Back in the 70's, Grant Turner once confided in me: "Hudson, I might work at WSM, but when I'm at home I always listen to WAGG. I really enjoy listening to people like Don Freeze."
There are two things I will always recall Don telling me about radio: (1) never, ever take radio work too seriously and (2) if you're going to be on the radio, have fun! That was some good advice.
Like so many of my old radio friends, Don Freeze was called away from this world way too soon....he was still a young man. But I feel like I'm a better person for having known Don Freeze. And, when you stop and think about it, that's got to be the ultimate tribute!
