Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1953)

IN THE Upper Midwest^ KSTP-TV now reaches nearly Two Million people regularly with its 100,000 watts on channel 5 JAMES MURRAY, who met the microphone when both he and the device were youngsters, is a Pittsburgh product: He was born, bred and educated in the Steel City and has lived there nearly all his life. At 47, Mr. Murray, whose birthday is this month, is a young veteran of an industry that has few gray hairs. After a quick introduction in 1932, the microphone and the broadcaster got along fine. In 21 years, both have undergone some changes. The mike has progressed from carbon to brush, from brush to the streamlien, handy model in use today. Mr. Murray has advanced from the green sportscaster at WJAS Pittsburgh to the general manager of KQV Pittsburgh. In retrospect, although the microphone has played an important role in the Pittsburgh career of Jim Murray, the general manager equally has left his imprint on the history of the microphone — more specifically on the broadcasting industry. Broadcasters know Mr. Murray for the drive he has given Pittsburgh radio, both in public service and business phases. Mr. Murray bases much of his station operation philosophy on service. It's a chief function of successful radio station operation, he claims, and he ought to know. He proved it during a post-war power strike in his home town. The strike was covered in such detail by KQV that its settlement actually took place in the KQV studios, a dramatic public relations aftermath to a public service coup. 'Double' Defiance James Francis Murray was born in Pittsburgh, Oct. 29, 1905. His neighborhood pals found he was no shrinking violet. Teased about his middle name — his mother called him Francis to the rollicking joy of the kids on the street — James Murray proceeded to defy the mimics in their mirth and added another Francis to his name when he was confirmed. Young James Francis Francis Murray was headed for a law career. He attended the local public schools and started pre-law at Duquesne U. United States v. John Doe never got far in his future. He switched to newspaper reporting and worked on Pittsburgh newspapers from 1921 to 1932. His enterprise shined even then. He became part-owner of the Tri-State News Service which services such leading client papers as the New York Times. He entered radio with WJAS, then the CBS outlet in Pittsburgh. He was publicity director. Three weeks after he was hired, an announcer scheduled to give the play-by-play of a baseball game was speechless, a victim of laryngitis. The station borrowed Jim Murray's voice and a life-long friendship between the microphone our respects to JAMES FRANCIS FRANCIS MURRAY and Mr. Murray was off to a healthy beginning. Mr. Murray, who developed into one of the city's best known sportscasters, was the man on whom the assignments were dumped. In an evening he interviewed Bill Tilden of tennis fame, broadcast a poultry show an hour later, and the next hour described a lacrosse match although he had never seen one before. Before he joined KQV, Mr. Murray spent seven years wandering in the field, rounding out his experience with business background. In 1937 he was publicity and promotion director for WCAE in Pittsburgh, then at KDKA he was publicity director and in 1943 he switched to the sales staff. He was promotion director at WJZ New York in 1944 and spent some of that year broadcasting Cornell U. football. That same year, Jim Murray was back in Pittsburgh and at KQV, as sales manager for two years after which (in 1946) he became general manager. The microphone was just about grown up then, and Mr. Murray had been around too. His achievements were highlighted by development of KQV as a major Mutual affiliate. In 1952, CBS purchased 45% of the station, and June 15, 1953, was the date marking the Allegheny Broadcasting Corp.'s transmitter as the Pittsburgh outlet of CBS. It is represented nationally by Weed & Co. Spearheads KQV Projects Mr. Murray's hand in KQV affairs has been an active one. He helped bring Pie Traynor back to Pittsburgh and to the station as sports director in 1945. He aided in public service for the Negro. In cooperation with the Pittsburgh Courier, the station for the first time broadcast a negro news program. KQV also led a nationwide radio drive to focus attention on the late Negro scientist and humanitarian, George Washington Carver. Mr. Murray's efforts did not go unrecognized; he was cited twice by the National Achievement Clubs. When he's not making holes-in-one in the broadcast business, Mr. Murray can be found attempting that feat on the golf course where he engages in his top hobby. Not that business people, including broadcasters, are unaware of his existence after office hours. Mr. Murray is treasurer of the Pennsylvania Assn. of Broadcasters — it's his second straight year in that office; a director of the Allegheny County Fair and the Catholic Theatre Guild; a member of the Pittsburgh Variety Club; the Citizens Committee for Educational Television, and an associate of the Radio & Television Executives of New York. He's pretty much of a family man, too. Mr. and Mrs. Murray live in the city's Mount Lebanon section with their four children: Jim, 19; Bill, 16; Eileen, 8, and Jane, 4. Page 20 • October 12, 1953 Broadcasting • Telecasting