Fifty Seven years ago, a Texas broadcaster named Bob Lewis, later to be known as “Tumbleweed Smith”, launched what would become a life-long search across the State for people and stories. He began with a hand-full of stories and one station — the station where he worked in Big Spring.
Soon, he had a hand-full of stations who signed to broadcast the newly created “Sounds of Texas” program.
KNEL in Brady was one of those first stations airing the program. And, KNEL continued to share Tumbleweed’s stories about Texas and the people who live here with the listeners across the Heart of Texas until the program ended in June.
On Saturday, Sept. 19th, KNEL hosted a Celebration Commemorating the 57 years of the Program and the remarkable contribution Tumbelweed Smith had made broadcasting in the State.
In addition to commendations from a group of listeners and fans of Smith who gathered at the Heart of Texas Country Music Museum, the City of Brady presented a proclamation naming September 19th as Tumbleweed Smith Day in Brady. The proclamation was presented by Brady City Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem, Terry Phillips. Lewis and Phillips have a relationship dating back to when both were residents of Big Spring. A replay of the presentation of the Proclamation by Phillips will be included in the KNEL Morning Program Monday.
The Commemoration Ceremony was broadcast on KNEL-TV and can be seen by going to KNEL’s You Tube channel.
(Tumbleweed Smith visited the recreation of KNEL’s early studio that is a part of the Heart of Texas Country Music Museum.)
