User:Scsmiff/Biff Collie

Hiram Abiff "Biff" Collie born November 25, 1926, Little Rock, AR. Died February 19, 1992, Brentwood, TN. He began his radio career at KMAC radio in San Antonio as a teenager. After stints at Browning and Alice, Texas, he went on to KNUZ radio in Houston and later to KPRC. The first country dj in that city, which remains one of the premiere markets for country music radio. While in Houston, he also promoted and booked shows, becoming one of the first to ever book Hank Williams, Sr., Tennessee Ernie Ford and a young kid from Memphis named Elvis Presley. During this time, he also recorded for Columbia Records and Starday Records. In 1957, he became manager and emcee for the Philip Morris Country Music Show, which were broadcast nationally on Mutual and CBS Radio. The 1960s were spent in Los Angeles where he remained for the decade, gaining huge popularity over KFOX Radio. He was consistently in the top ten radio personalities in Billboard and Music Reporter magazines, and was also named "Best Radio Personality" by the Academy of Country Music, an organization which he served on the Board of Directors and produced the annual awards show in 1967. He moved to Nashville in 1969 and produced the first syndicated radio show, "Inside Nashville" that ran on stations across the country for many years. He died of Prostate Cancer on February 19, 1992.

Personal Life-married to Marge Tillman, former wife of Floyd Tillman, whom he recorded with on Columbia Records. 2nd marriage to Shirley Caddell Collie Nelson; 3rd marriage Barbara Sullivan Collie. Daughters Sandra and Sharon; son in law Terry Smith of The Grascals; great-niece Julie Hanson