Anderson Independent-Mail from Anderson, South Carolina • 55

WAXA Mat Is Beta BkH From pegs 3 cwemonies at a concert at Graenvia Memorial Auditorium "I thought it wasa joke" he remembers when he heard the name of the show An admirer of Caaey Caaem and Dick dark becauae "they make you feel part of the show "Bald Eagle need a number of music magazine and receives biographies of music stars from their promoters He has always loved music though his mother used to throw out his rhythm and blues records in an attempt to gat him to listen only to gospel music The son of a black mother and a Sioux Indnn father Bald Eagle identifies himself as an American Indian His name which is not a stage affectation was for long time the target of mockery He remembers dass after class in school when he was made to stand up and repeat his name only to hear students and teachers sice make cruel jokes Today that name is a source of pride and he has added the title "Sir" before it (originally to distinguish himself from a disc jockey who shared his nickname "Chicken" which was given to Bald Eagle for being shy around women) Bom in PhXadelphia Bald Eagle spent time working in Charlotte NC before moving to GraenvMe three years apo He has worked as a radio announcer and as a nightclub disc jockey Right now he is the manager of Popinjay a GrsenvMe ratal store and soon plans to open a nightclub The Odyssey 2000 in GieanvBe By catering to the crossover crowd he hopes to lure "everybody to party together" His show on WAXA has made him a local celebrity among not only youngsters seeking his autograph but even once when he was stopped by a pokes officer during a license check He was waved on the officer's chMren were big fans Another local series planned for the spring is caked "Salute to the Cities" Each week feature historical vignettes on a particular local city including Anderson Greenwood Easley Greenville and Spartanburg A half-hour program extolling the virtues of Anderson is also in the works The station's facilities are impressive Outside is a 300-foot tower and three sateite dishes Inside is high-tech equipment with unKkely names: chest scope microwaves sequencers character generators There ate a number of departments filing such needs as advertising programming even one for traffic an appropriate enough term for logging the many shows that air Probably the most popular item on WAXA's schedule is "Dallas" Along with movies and other dramatic series it's also one of the moat expansive Other favorites are "Talas from the Dark Side" "Matt Houston" "Knots Landing" wresting and Merv Griffin Viewers are quki to make their preferences known "People seem to feel a rapport" said programming director Doan Martin "They can call in and tel us what they ike and what they don't ike" And that she emphases does make a difference in what goes on the air WAXA employs about 50 people and aspects to hire approximately 30 more by the time the station is fuky staffed Of the 10 managerial slots six are filed by women OvaraN 95 percent of Channel 40's jobs are hafd by local people "We didn't know what kind of talent we'd find here" said Kupris who is from Atlanta but has ived in so many places that he's lost his Southern accent 1Ve ware very fortunate" He looks for people who are experienced intekigent loyal and who are movers "I don't need meetings" he said "I need to get things done" Kupris also owns television stations in Taleheaaee and Panama City Fla and he has made appkeations for three others His work keeps him so busy that he rarely Pas4 Anderson tndspsndsm Mai WsefcoUtar lMtar 15 Sir Cyril Bald Eagle rehearsal before topitp ba-ihts on WAXA's video show has time to indulge his passion tor saeng With a 1000-foot transmitter positioned neer Ft Shoals WAXA teaches a city-grade signal the moat powerful signal that can be transmitted It goes not only to Anderson Gresnvile Spartanburg and Greenwooa but also as for as Athene Ga and Ashavie NC The location of the station's viewers was gleaned from a promotion in which the audwnce was invited to write in and reveal their favorite programs In return they each got a free breakfast from Hardee's And WAXA found out where it has fans WAXA can also boast of being the first station in South Cardirwto broadcast in stereo an accompkshmant advertised on buketin boards throughout the station's headquarters on the hkghway 29 Bypass An independent station WAXA has no network affliction though it doss receive some network shows And though the station has no news program of its own there is a Kkskhood that one wM be developed in the future For now news updates are broadcast and te-cantly when the space shuttle Chakengar exploded those updates ware accompanied by a voice-over performed by WAXA promotions dksetor Anne Wtco a former anchotperson at the company's Panama City station Community service is important to the station On the air promotional spots alert the pufakc about safety such as how to protset them salves against a tornado And WAXA has offered use of its facilities to Anderson Collage Ctamson University Furman University and the University of South Carolina at Spartanburg On the cover Talir host Dam Crockett Whs to Soutfwm Bril smpfoyeas Kathy Hritoy a Witoms dasigwr cantor and Jaoat Hoopar an account amciriv abort toapoasfeiRtr of adding a 911 systom in Anderson County Triir is a prmtodfon of WAXA-1V which is located on High-aay 29 Bypass in Anderson Also shown is an outside shot of too station's pounds Tho cover shots ware photographed bv Patilck WririH.