Fred Fletcher
(1910 - Jan. 8, 2000)
"One of the things I am thankful for is all of the people who
have been important to me. It is true that time flies. Especially
when you are having fun."
Fred Fletcher, A. J. Fletcher's oldest son, joined WRAL-AM as
an announcer in 1939. In 1940 he was named program director,
and in 1942 he became general manager. In later years, he would
be named vice-president and general manager of WRAL-TV and eventually,
became president of the company until his retirement in 1975.
Fred Fletcher will be remembered most fondly as a broadcaster
on WRAL. Audiences knew Fred as the Fairy Tale Man, a Raleigh
City Council Member, and a long time chairman of the Raleigh
Parks and Recreation Commission. Tempus Fugit (Time Flies),
Fred's early morning talk show, was always up-to-date and in
the center of Raleigh life. It included such segments as his
famous fairy tales (with Fred providing all of the sound effects
and voices), news, birth announcements, birthdays, lost and
found items, fishing reports, and even speed trap locations
for area drivers (which created a lot of controversy at the
time). |
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