DID HANK SING TO ME?

BY DAN MILLER
(originally posted April 28, 2005)

Somebody bought an authentic piece of TV history last week for a mere $50,787.

You probably read about Johnny Carson's microphone from his Tonight Show desk (top photo) selling at auction for $50,787.

Carson started using that mic (Shure model SM33) in the late 1960s, and it remained there on his desk, every show, until the 1980s.
Two decades ago, it was rescued from the trash bin by an audio operator at the NBC studios in Burbank.

Did I mention it was purchased by an anonymous bidder for $50,787?

That got my attention, and started me thinking about an old WSM Radio microphone (2nd photo) that was given to me years ago by Lee Whitehurst, the then-chief engineer at WSM.

The engineers were clearing out old equipment, since WSM-TV had just been sold, and WSM Radio was preparing to move to its new location near Opryland.

The microphone is an Altec model 639A, first introduced in 1938, and used by countless radio stations and networks through the 1940s, 50s, and 60s.

WSM used these microphones on many of its radio shows, including the Grand Ole Opry.

The way I see it...... that means it's "possible" that my microphone was used by legends of country music like Hank Williams (3rd photo), who sang regularly on the Opry and other WSM shows.

Look closely at the microphone in that photo of Hank.
I have no way of knowing whether it's the one I own...... but it sure looks the same to my untrained eye! Hey..... it could be!

Now don't get me wrong..... my old Altec is not for sale.
But if you think it's worth..... say.... $50,787..... my email address is posted on the side over there.

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