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I offer the following strictly
for informational purposes in describing social influences and
challenges which defined this particular time in our lives. No
other meaning should be attributed to this historical narrative,
especially any meaning relevant to the current (2020) events of
unrest affecting our country. My historical account, documented
here, was written well before the events of May 25, 2020.
Jerry
I don’t know about you, but, at 13 years of age
and living in Madison, TN in June of 1962, I’m afraid I wasn’t
very aware of issues like “segregation/integration” or
“annexation/consolidation.” But these were primary issues facing
Nashville as well as other U.S. cities at this time. Midway
through our “summer break” in July of 1962, we were now 13 or 14
years old. We didn’t quite know what to expect, but we were
ready to try out being high school freshmen. We also had no real
idea of the challenges (i.e., “Cuban Missile Crisis” and “JFK
Assassination”) our world and our lives would face during the
next 18 months or so. We would all be forced to grow up much
faster than we could ever have anticipated.
However, all of that was still in our future. We were just
having fun that summer of 1962. Miniature golf, swimming,
bowling, baseball, monopoly, card games and an increasing
awareness of (and growing interest in) the opposite sex were
some of the ways we spent our time.
The “average” high temperature in July 1962 was 96 degrees and
we had NO RAIN for the entire month! This would be my 4th and
last summer of playing organized baseball (Babe Ruth
League)…Songs such as “Palisades Park” and “The Loco-Motion”
were on the radio…And, I was taking drum lessons, preparing for
my first year of Senior Band.
Speaking of radio, we did almost everything that summer along to
a background of great music broadcast by WKDA and WMAK. These
stations would continue with us throughout high school and, for
some, through college.
Everybody will remember radio station WKDA (1240 AM). In the
sixties the WKDA “Good Guys” dominated the Nashville radio
scene. Among others, the on-air personalities consisted of Doc
Holliday, Dick Buckley, DJ Dan Hoffman, the “Wild Child” Bill
Berlin and the infamous Captain Midnight. WMAK (1300 AM) had
Allen Dennis, Alan Nelson, Mike Donegan, "Our Leader" Scott
Shannon and a little later Coyote McCloud.
Country music in 1962 had WSM (650 AM) and WENO (1430 AM). And,
for the R&B folks, there was WLAC (1510 AM), with John R (Richbourg),
Gene Nobles, and Bill “Hoss” Allen playing songs by Little
Richard, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, The Spaniels, Etta James, Bo
Diddley, Sam Cooke, James Brown, etc. I wasn’t listening to much
of WLAC back in 1962, but I kind of wish I’d been.
Madison High News:
“Bobby Sloan and Coach Davidson To Attend National Conference”
July 3—It was announced today that Madison’s football
captain-elect Bobby Sloan and assistant coach Louie Davidson
would attend the national Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Conference in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on Aug. 6-10. Many of the
nation's leading sports figures will speak. –The Tennessean,
03 Jul 1962, Page 18
“Madison Teachers Get Pay Increases”
July 20—Approximately 3,200 teachers and administrative
personnel in the Nashville and Davidson County school systems
were given raises yesterday. The starting salary in the
Nashville system was boosted from $3,735 to $4,000 the highest
starting rate in Tennessee, according to Elmer Pettit, board
chairman. The maximum for a bachelor's degree, for persons with
15 years or more of experience, was lifted from $5,554 to
$5,960.
In the county, the starting salary was increased from $3,635 to
$3,785 for teachers holding a bachelor's degree, while the
maximum for persons with 15 years or more experience was pushed
upward from $5,469 to $5,819.
Principals were given raises too. The least a principal may now
earn in the city system under the new plan is $7,268, and the
most is $9,512. In the county, the range will be from $7,428 to
$9,030 for senior high principals. –Eugene Dietz, The
Tennessean, 20 Jul 1962, Page 1
To put our teachers’ salaries in perspective…
*Cost of Living 1962:
- Yearly Inflation Rate USA: 1.20%
- Average Cost Of A New House: $12,500.00
- Average Income Per Year: $5,556.00
- Average Monthly Rent: $110.00 per month
- Average Cost Of A New Car: $3,125.00
- Eggs Per Dozen: 32 cents
- Gas Per Gallon: 28 cents
- Factory Workers Average Take Home Pay:
$94.87/week
--The People History/1962
“Madison’s Rams Set to Kick Off Football Camp in Mid-August”
July 27—All members of the Nashville Interscholastic
League will start football practice in the middle of August.
Madison’s head football coach, Bill Brimm, announced today that
the Rams will work a week of football camp at Valley View Bible
Camp. Among the players deemed likely to contribute greatly to
the team this year were: QB Chuck Boyd, FB Butch Cartwright, G
Danny Fisher, C “Baby” Graves, E Bobby Sloan, and HB Dale Brady.
–The Tennessean, 27 Jul 1962, Page 19
“David Layhew (MHS Freshman) Selected for Part In ‘The King and
I’”
July 29—Peabody College announced that David Layhew, a
Madison High School Freshman) will portray a prince (Heir to The
Throne) in its summer production of “The King and I.” The summer
presentation at Peabody College always provides a focus of
interest for the entire community, and the performances of "The
King and I" on the outdoor stage Aug. 2-3-4 will undoubtedly be
seen by capacity audiences.
The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical opened on Broadway in 1951
for a highly successful run with Yul Brynner appearing as the
King, and Gertrude Lawrence as Anna, the widowed teacher from
England who went to Siam to teach the King's children. The
equally successful movie starred Brynner and Deborah Kerr. The
musical includes such popular song favorites as "Getting to Know
You," "Whistle a Happy Tune," "Hello, Young Lovers," "We Kiss in
a Shadow," and "Something Wonderful." –The Tennessean, 29
July 1962, Page 63
Madison High Alumni News
MHS ’57: “Carl Bailey’s 3 Hits Lead Mayo Sausage to
Tri-State Win”
July 15—Carl Bailey (MHS ’57) went three for three to
pace Mayo Sausage to its victory over Neely's Bend 8-5 in
Tri-State League action. Carl was a 3-sport letterman (football,
baseball and track) for Madison High. He was also president of
his class (2, 3, 4) and Most Popular (4). --The Tennessean,
16 July 1962, Page 16
MHS ’61: “Jo Ann Wright (MHS ’61) Hosts Sorority Meeting”
July 19— Miss Jo Ann Wright (MHS ’61) hosted Gamma Kappa
Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi on Wednesday (July 18) at her home on
Marthona Road in Madison. A buffet supper preceded the business
meeting. --The Nashville Tennessean, 01 Jul 1962
MHS ’61: “Chuck Lewis Ready to Play Football for
Tennessee Tech”
July 26—Chuck Lewis (MHS ’61) had a great spring practice
and Tennessee Tech’s head football coach Wilburn Tucker said
today the former Madison star should be ready for a lot of play
this year. As a Madison Ram from 1957-61, Chuck Lewis earned
Tennessean All-Nashville honors as a running back twice, was
Nashville's Most Valuable Player, and was All-State and
Honorable Mention All-South. He earned a scholarship to
Tennessee Tech and would wind up his playing career at
UT-Martin. –The Nashville Tennessean, 27 Jul 1962, Page 19
MHS ’62: “Bill ‘Bull’ Cartwright Accepts Memphis State
Scholarship”
July 1—Madison’s All-City tackle, Bill “Bull” Cartwright,
accepted a scholarship with Memphis State University. Bill would
now be in the same MSU freshman class with Fayetteville fullback
Ray Barnes, who played against Madison in last year's scoreless
Butter Bowl game at Pulaski. “Bull” earlier had intentions of
attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. –The
Nashville Tennessean, 01 Jul 1962, Page 57
MHS ’62: “Shirley Faye Apple Awarded 1962-63 ‘Sprouse Art
Scholarship’ at Austin Peay State College”
July 31—Recent MHS ’62 graduate Shirley Faye Apple has
been awarded the 1962-63 Sprouse Art Scholarship at Austin Peay
State College. This is the second scholarship award for Shirley
this summer. She recently was awarded a $500.00 course to the
Famous Arts School, given by the Nashville Art Directors Club.
Shirley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. T. Apple Jr., 803 Saunders
Dr., Madison, was named "most talented" girl in her senior class
this year. –The Tennessean, 31 July 1962, Page 13
“In the House of My Friends”
I now offer this poem, written by Tim Watrous (MHS ’57), who has
given me permission to share it here.
MHS ’57: You may remember that Tim is an older brother of
Glen Watrous who was a member of our class of ’66 until
transferring to Maplewood following our freshman year.
Their mother, Mrs. Watrous, was our esteemed Stratton Elementary
Patrol Lady (patrol mom #7 in Davidson County for many years—I
know she was there from my 1st through 6th grades). She was
depended on by all the students who would arrive at school each
day by crossing Gallatin Road from the Neely’s Bend side.
Yes, Mrs. Watrous helped us cross Gallatin Road, but she did
more than that. I can still see her smiling as she would see me
and the others approaching her crossing each morning. She would
always tell us to have a good day at school. And, somehow, we
believed we would, because we knew Mrs. Watrous loved us. She
would also be there to help us back home after a long day. I’m
guessing that many former Stratton students remember their
interactions with Mrs. Watrous at least as well as they do with
any other person during their time there.
Anyway, this poem speaks to me…Hopefully it will speak to you as
well!
“In the House of My Friends”
In the House of My Friends
There are such treasures.
Here,
Once we sat and
Took each others’ measures.
Over there,
We played childhood’s
Games,
And right here
We earned our adult
Names.
Touching each others’
Hearts,
We learned that
Real friends never
Part.
In the house of my friends
There are such treasures.
Timothy Bennett Watrous
Copyright 2004 Timothy Bennett Watrous
In/Around Madison In July 1962
July 1—Teamster boss Jimmy Hoffa arrived in Nashville to
help settle a rebellion in Nashville Local 327. After a loud,
argumentative session of 400 local Teamsters at War Memorial
Auditorium, Hoffa reported that "we had a very satisfactory
meeting. We came to an understanding and everything has been
cleared up." He asked for and received a vote of confidence for
local President Ewing King, despite protests from the splinter
group. Hoffa was in Nashville just last month and federally
indicted for conspiracy to violate the Taft-Hartley Act. He did
not mention the indictments in the meeting. –The Tennessean,
01 Jul 1962, Page 1
July 8—There is a new group of Red Cross Volunteers in
the Old Hickory and Madison area under the guidance of Mrs.
Clifton Ladd. Additions are being made every day and the
expanding dimensions of these services depend on an increasing
number of volunteers. Please consider volunteering! --The
Tennessean, 08 July 1962, Page 42
July 8—The finest water skiers from the Mississippi River
to the Smoky Mountains will gather on Old Hickory Lake next
weekend (14th & 15th) to vie for Tennessee championships in the
second annual State Closed Ski Tournament. The meet again will
be sponsored by the Tennessean Water Ski Club and the Jaycees of
Donelson, Old Hickory and Madison, with The Nashville Tennessean
presenting the trophies. Site of the competition will be the
cove just above Old Hickory Dam on the Old Hickory side of the
lake. By Tom Briley, The Tennessean, 08 Jul, 1962, Page 58.
July 12—The Walgreens in Madison Square Shopping Center
advertised: ½ gallon ice cream for 59 cents, Alka-Seltzer for 37
cents, 1 pint of iso-propyl alcohol for 7 cents, 1 roll of
Kodacolor film for 89 cents, 4 oz. Coppertone Suntan Lotion for
99 cents, 4 oz. Pepto Bismol for 43 cents, 1 pound of Petroleum
Jelly for 39 cents, and 3 oz. Caladryl Lotion for 78 cents.
The Tennessean, 12 Jul 1962.
July 13-- Congressional candidate Richard Fulton
campaigned in Old Hickory and the Madison business district
today. He is pledging an all-out fight for aid to education if
he is elected. "The shortage of qualified teachers will grow
more acute unless their pay scale is raised to the national
level," he said. Fulton also stressed the responsibility for
providing medical care for elderly citizens. "The sky-rocketing
cost of hospital care, nursing homes, medicine and doctors’
bills is more than the average citizen can meet on small
retirement incomes,” he said. –The Tennessean, 13 Jul 1962,
Page 37
July 25—Bert Ferguson of Madison announced yesterday as a
candidate for Democratic committeeman chairman from the 11th
Civil District in the Aug. 2nd Democratic primary. A B-17 bomber
flight engineer in World War II, Ferguson is a director of the
Madison Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Neely's Bend Men's
Club, the Blue Grass Country Club, the Madison Rotary Club and
the Madison Post of the American Legion. Bert is owner of
Ferguson Lumber Company in Madison; and, he is a member of the
Madison Church of Christ. Ferguson is married and has two
children (Leanne and Roger). –The Tennessean, 25 July 1962
July 28—Joe E. Maynard, 27, of 809 Nesbltt Lane, Madison,
a public relations man for the Webster Publishing Co. of St.
Louis, yesterday announced his candidacy for vice-chairman of
the Democratic Executive Committee for the 11th District.
Maynard holds the B.S. and M.A. degrees from Middle Tennessee
State College and is working toward the Ph.D. degree. He is the
teacher of the college age Sunday School class at City Road
Chapel United Methodist Church in Madison. The candidate is
married to the former Joann McPherson, and they have two sons.
--The Tennessean, 29 July 1962, Page 5
"1962 Davidson County Primary Elections”
There would be both Republican & Democratic primaries in
Tennessee in August 1962. Yes, there really was a Republican
party in Nashville at that time; and, my father, Robert L.
Armour, was one of the few Republicans of which I was aware. I
remember that he was Officer of the 11th District, 1st
Precinct—Stratton School during that Republican primary.
As most of us will remember, a local, state or national election
in most parts of Tennessee was pretty much just a formality back
then. Middle Tennessee definitely voted Democrat.
Hubert David Patty was the Republican gubernatorial candidate on
the ballot in 1962. Among the Democratic gubernatorial
candidates were: Former Governor Frank G. Clement, Memphis City
Commissioner William W. Farris and Chattanooga Mayor Rudy
Olgiati. William Anderson and E. B. Bowles ran as Independents
in 1962. One of the more interesting issues in this campaign
centered on the accusations by Clement and Farris that Olgiati
had ties to Jimmy Hoffa and the Teamsters Union, who supported
his campaign.
July 30—"Davidson County Republican Primary Election Notice”
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ELECTION will
be opened and held in each and all of the voting places in all
of the Districts of Davidson County, State of Tennessee on:
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1962. The names of the election officials
appointed to hold said election and the places where the polls
will be held in the several wards and districts are as follows:
ELEVENTH DISTRICT: MADISON
1st Precinct—Stratton School
Officer: Robert L. Armour; Clerks: Mrs. Etta Brown, Mrs. Nevel
Brown
2nd Precinct—Madison High School
Officer: C. G. Caldwell; Clerks: Mrs. John E. Kelley, Mrs. C. G.
Caldwell
3rd Precinct—New Neely's Bend School
Officer: R. T. Whitehead; Clerks: Mrs. A. J. Allen, Jr., Mrs.
William Sendhora
July 30—“Davidson County Democratic Primary Election Notice”
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY ELECTION WILL
be opened and held in each and all of the voting places in all
of the Districts in Davidson County, State of Tennessee on:
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1962.
ELEVENTH DISTRICT: MADISON
First Precinct—Stratton School
Officer: W. T. Buchanan;
Operators: W. F. Barnes, W. E. Blanton, A. E. Truin
Clerks: Mrs. E. E. Tomlinson, Mrs. Joe Doochin
Magistrate: Homer E. Chance
Second Precinct—Madison High School
Officer: A. D. Perry
Operators: J. E. Campbell, Buford Batter, Howard R. Read
Clerks: Mrs. John T. Desirey, Mrs. Jene Ligon, Mrs. T. W.
Johnson
Magistrate: Homer E. Chance
Third Precinct—Neely’s Bend School
Officer: Doug Odom, Jr.
Operator: Waldo Willie
Clerks: Mrs. J. N. Peeler, Mrs. Herbert Shelby, Jr., Mrs. Ben
Porch
Magistrate: J. R. Coarsey
--The Tennessean, 30 Jul 1962, Page 13
Elsewhere in The World in July 1962
July 1—Bruce McLaren, driving a Cooper-Climax T60, won the 1962
Reims Grand Prix. McClaren of New Zealand finished the 250-mile
course in 2 hours, 2 seconds.
July 2—The first Walmart store, at this time known as Wal-Mart,
opened for business in Rogers, Arkansas.
July 6—Died: William Faulkner, 64, American novelist and 1950
Nobel laureate.
July 8—The 1962 French Grand Prix was held at Rouen-Les-Essarts
and won by Dan Gurney of the United States. He drove a Porsche.
July 9 – American artist Andy Warhol premiered his “Campbell's
Soup Cans” exhibit at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles.
July 10—AT&T's Telstar, world's first commercial communications
satellite, was launched into orbit from Cape Canaveral and
activated the next day. Two weeks later (July 23) it would relay
the first live trans-Atlantic television signal.
July 10—The “All-Channel Television Receiver Bill” was signed
into law, requiring that all televisions made in the United
States to be able to receive both VHF signals (channels 2 to 13
on 30 to 300 MHz) and UHF (channels 14 to 83, on frequencies
between 470 and 896 MHz). The result was to open hundreds of new
television channels.
July 12 – “The Rolling Stones” made their debut at London's
Marquee Club, opening for Long John Baldry.
July 25—"Aid to Families with Dependent Children" (AFDC) was
created with the passage of the Public Welfare Amendments of
1962 to the U.S. Social Security Act, increasing the number of
persons receiving federal public assistance.
July 25—The United States Army formed its first armed helicopter
company, using UH-1 Hueys.
July 26—The first Soviet nuclear missiles were unloaded in Cuba
at the port of Mariel; their discovery would precipitate the
“Cuban Missile Crisis”.
July 26—"The French Chef,” starring Julia Child, appeared on
television for the first time, as a program on the Boston public
television station WGBH.
July 27—Jess Oliver (Oliver Jsesperson) applied for the patent
for the Ampeg B-15 Portaflex portable bass amplifier, which
would become the most popular bass amplifier in the world for
bands; the patent would be granted on May 11, 1965.
July 28—Kosmos 7 was launched by the U.S.S.R., on the first
successful Soviet mission to conduct surveillance photography of
the entire United States.
July 30—President Kennedy agreed to halt reconnaissance flights
over Soviet ships in the Caribbean Sea, after U.S.S.R. Premier
Khrushchev proposed the idea "for the sake of better relations."
In the two months that followed, the ships delivered missiles to
Cuba. On that same day, President Kennedy began tape recording
conversations in the White House. –Wikipedia-World Happenings
(By the Month): July 1962
Top Songs Heading into August 1962:
- “Roses Are Red (My Love)” Bobby Vinton
- “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” Neil Sedaka
- “Sealed with A Kiss” Brian Hyland
- “The Wah Watusi” The Orlons
- “I Can't Stop Loving You” Ray Charles
- “The Loco-Motion” Little Eva
- “You'll Lose A Good Thing” Barbara Lynn
- “Johnny Get Angry” Joanie Sommers
- “Twist and Shout” The Isley Brothers
- “Party Lights” Claudine Clark
- “Palisades Park” Freddy Cannon
- “You Don't Know Me” Ray Charles
- “It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'” Johnny
Tillotson
- “Stranger on The Shore” Mr. Acker Bilk
[Still on the charts after 21 weeks]
***BONUS***
- “I’ll See You in September” The Tempos
“Counting the days 'til I'll be with you
Counting the hours and the minutes, too
Have a good time, but remember
There is danger in the summer moon above
Will I see you in September
Or lose you to a summer love”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRGLjzFHa40
Where were you in July ’62?
Submitted: Jerry Armour (MHS ’66) on July 7,
2020 |
