User:Teblick/Bill Bivens (announcer)

Bill Bivens was an announcer in the era of old-time radio.

Early years
Bivens was the son of Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Bivens.

Local stations
Bivens began his career in radio in 1928, when he was a teenager, working after school and on weekends at WRBU in Gastonia, North Carolina. In 1932, he left that station to join the staff of WFBC in Greenville, South Carolina, when it began broadcasting. At the end of 1934, he moved from WFBC to work at WJSV, the CBS affiliate in Washington, D.C. An article in The Greenville News when he announced his departure from WFBC called the move "a distinct promotion for Bivens, a deserved one ...". He rejoined the staff of WFBC in March 1936, after that station increased its power and became affiliated with NBC.

In 1965, Bivens introduced the live stereo disc jockey programming format to listeners of WBT-FM in Charlotte. He was on the air live for four hours and 45 minutes each evening, Monday - Friday, with another recorded hour thrown in to give himself a break.

In 1968, Bivens was named station manager and sales manager at WSVA radio in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He went to WSVA from WSOC in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Networks
Bivens' first network assignment was announcing for the Vox Pop interview program. In 1942, he became the announcer for The Fred Waring Show.

Personal life
In 1937, Bivens married the former Marjorie Robinson. They had two sons.