With the stirring notes of the William Tell Overture and a shout of
“Hi-yo, Silver! Away!” The Lone Ranger debuted on Detroit’s radio
station WXYZ January 30, 1933 and went on for 2,956 episodes.

The creation of station-owner George Trendle and writer Fran
Striker, the “masked rider of the plains” became one of the most
popular and enduring western heroes of the 20th century. Joined
by his trusty steed, Silver, and Native American scout, Tonto, the
Lone Ranger battled western outlaws and Native Americans.

Francis Hamilton " Fran " Striker
(August 19, 1903 – September 4, 1962)        
        

Brace Beemer became the third radio voice of the Lone
Ranger on April 18, 1941, after the death of Earle Graser 
and remained so until the series’ last new episode on
September 3, 1954. During the 13 years that Beemer
played the title character, he was required by contract
to restrict his radio acting to that one role until the
program left the air.    
    
    
    
    
    
   

Red behind the mic at CKWX, 1961.

Robert "Red" Robinson (March 20, 1937 – April 1, 2023)

Bob (Red) was the first disc jockey to play rock and roll music 
in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Red Robinson with Buddy Holly.

Red taking a guitar lesson from Eddie
Cochran.

1935 Truetone (Western Auto) 3-band console radio.

Truetone was the private label radio, television and electronics
brand of Western Auto Supply Company of Kansas City, Missouri. Western Auto was a company founded in 1909 to sell tires and automobile supplies for the Model T Ford and other cars through
its catalogs and, starting in 1913, through retail stores in Kansas
City and other major cities. In 1915, Western Auto was split into
two companies, one in California and one in Kansas City.

In the late 1920s Western Auto was looking for new items to add to
its merchandise lines. After selling radio tubes under its "Wizard"
brand in the 1920s, the company offered its first Truetone brand
radios in 1931. Truetone was the radio brand sold by Western Auto
of Kansas City while the California company sold its radios under
the name "Western Air Patrol."

1937

The Tri-States lost a local radio icon Thursday after
Dennis Oliver passed away at the age of 69 after a
battle with Alzheimer’s Disease for several years.

The Pittsfield native entertained the Tri-States for
40 years and touched the lives of many.    

“White Christmas,” written by the formidable composer and
lyricist Irving Berlin, receives its world premiere on December
25, 1941 on Bing Crosby’s weekly NBC radio program, The
Kraft Music Hall. It went on to become one of the most
commercially successful singles of all time.