WBIG's Legendary Morning Man Bob Poole : Poole's Paradise

Bob Poole was the morning voice on WBIG 1470 AM in Greensboro, NC for 25 years. He got his start at WBIG in the 1930s. After the war he became a broadcast sensation with Poole's Paradise on WWL in New Orleans where he could be heard coast to coast if you knew where to tune your crystal set on the AM dial.

Bob was the first to mix records, comedy and sound effects and became a template for the radio DJs that followed. After 4 years in New York Bob returned to Greensboro in 1952 where 'The Duke of Stoneville' reigned supreme, no other station could get near his ratings.

Gloria & Bob Poole on a mid-fifties cruise

These clips are from his stint on the Mutual Broadcasting System from 1948-1952. Poole's Paradise was a hit around the country at 2:00-3:00 weekday afternoons from 1948-1952 but did not air in New York City.



Poole's Parlor aired on WOR in New York, not a part of Mutual. This was an evening variety show that I think lasted one season. They made Bob out to be a ladies man - news to his wife Gloria and daughter Ashley who were listening at home!



Charmer in the Dell was a Sunday morning music program that aired in the summer of '49. A bit like The Lawrence Welk Show.



More from Poole's Paradise, including a mash-up with different versions of 'Jingle Bells.'



More Poole's Parlor, a half-hour program.




Here's my tribute to the great Bob Poole in O.Henry magazine.

More about Bob Poole at TVparty!