The Man Behind New Gospel Broadcast

1958

Who is Hosea Humphrey anyway? Where does he live? Married or single?

Almost anyone around here who owns a radio can tell you that he's the fellow with the smooth unaffected voice who sings hymns at 1:05 p.m. every Saturday on WBCH.

But other than that, most people are in need of a briefing.

Hosea Humphrey was born the only child of Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Humphrey of Freeport, Michigan (U.S.A.). He likes sports and played baseball while attending Freeport high.

He spent two years in the army and was stationed most of the time in Texas and at Fort Knox, Ky.

Hosea's interest in music goes 'way back, but his musical has been sketchy. He took a few guitar lessons from the late Jerry Merrill of Hastings; and the only other thing which he plays besides the guitar is, according to his own testimony, the radio.

One thing Hosea does not seem to be a fusser over dates and facts. He knew he started singing on the local radio station some time during last May; he couldn't recall the exact date. Perhaps this was because his debut on his own show was eclipsed by his upcoming marriage which took place over the summer. Mr. and Mrs. Hosea Humphrey now live in Caledonia, and he drives daily to the Hastings Manufacturing Co. where his is employed in the chrome department.

Hosea's show on WBCH consists of the singing of hymns which are usually requested by listeners. His smooth, even singing voice has gone over so well with listeners that officials of the Barry Broadcasting company are considering giving him a 25-minute, instead of a quarter hour, spot.

Even though Hosea is still new in radio, he has already made room on his show for a guest, teenage Dennis Crum of Caledonia.

Hosea was schooled for his own show only by a singing engagement on WVTB, Coldwater, and a speaking bit on WFUR, Grand Rapids. Still he does his own commercials and announces his selections. And as to his future, he's undecided.

A public service feature sponsored, with Holiday Greetings, by BARLOW GARDENS, 1501 S. Jefferson St., Hastings, Phone WI 5-5029

(In 2008 known as BARLOW FLORIST, 109 W State St; Hastings, Michigan U.S.A. (269) 945-5029)

Written by Harold Rowley for the December 30, 1958 edition of "The Reminder" Newspaper, Hastings, Michigan, U.S.A. and adapted for Internet use.