University of Wyoming
KFBC Radio was located in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It was started by Tracy McCracken in 1940. Early broadcasters included Curt Gowdy, Larry Birleffi, Neil Ross, Jim Mortensen, and Larry Bloom. KFBC aired programs of local interest, including Cheyenne high school sports, University of Wyoming basketball and football games, and nationally syndicated programs.
Collection contains 15 electrical transcription phonograph recordings of programs that were broadcast on KFBC Radio in Cheyenne, Wyoming between 1941-1949. Programs include local events such as High School and University sports, music performances, interviews regarding the Blizzard of 1949, and syndicated radio shows.
Cheyenne Indians vs. Norfolk Yankees professional Minor League baseball games. Two games are included – August 24, 1941 and August 25, 1941. The games are played in Norfolk, Nebraska. Larry Bloom is the radio broadcaster for KFBC.
Wyoming Cowboys Basketball versus Oregon State on March 22, 1947. This was an NCAA tournament game, and the radio broadcaster is Larry Birleffi. Wyoming players mentioned include Jimmy Collins, Jimmy Reese, and Floyd Volker. The game was played in Kansas City, MO.
Wyoming Cowboys Basketball versus Utah on February 14, 1949. The game was played in Half Acre Gym and the radio broadcaster is Larry Birleffi. Wyoming players mentioned include Max Peyton, Keith Bloom, John Pilch, Ron Livingston, and Loy Doty. A half-time interview was conducted with “Deseret News” journalist Harold Hack Miller. The UW fight song, “Ragtime Cowboy Joe” also is part of the broadcast.
Laramie Plainsmen high school basketball versus St. Mary’s Cheyenne. This game is a Class A district tournament game that was played in Wheatland on March 5, 1947. Laramie defeated St. Mary’s 41-40. St. Mary’s player Bob Wallace was selected as an all-state tournament player. Laramie was coached by Willis Bill Osman, and the Gaels were coached by Fred “Fritz” Schmoker. The radio broadcaster is Larry Birleffi.
Cheyenne Indians high school basketball versus Casper Natrona Mustangs. This game was played in Cheyenne on January 29, 1949. Cheyenne defeated Casper 48-45. Cheyenne was coached by Okie Blanchard, and Casper was coached by Earl “Shadow” Ray, who was part of the 1943 Wyoming Cowboys national championship team.
Frontier Night Sports Edition. Radio announcer Larry Birleffi delivered local, state, and national sports news during this evening program. The Night Sports Edition was sponsored by Frontier Oil Refinery of Cheyenne. This program aired on September 30, 1947. Sports topics include Game 1 of the 1947 World Series – New York Yankees versus Brooklyn Dodgers; the pending suspension of Boxer Rocky Graziano; Wyoming high school football previews; and the Big 7 Conference weekend football preview, including the Wyoming-BYU game preview, which includes the news of BYU player Larry Reed not being able to play because of injuries suffered in a crash. (Reed passed away several days later.)
Interviews conducted with travelers and railroad passengers who were stranded during the Blizzard of 1949. The interviews occur in the lobby of the Plains Hotel in downtown Cheyenne on or about January 5, 1949. Among those interviewed are the Northwestern University Band and fans who were returning home to Illinois after cheering on the football team in the Rose Bowl. Other emergency bulletins also are aired during this special broadcast. The broadcaster is Neil Ross.
Merci Friendship Train Ceremony. This is the official ceremony of the Merci Friendship Train that was presented to the state of Wyoming from the people of France in appreciation of the support provided by the United States to France during World War II and the post war years. The box car, filled with more than 100 artifacts from France, was officially received during this ceremony at the Wyoming State Capitol on February 15, 1949. The radio broadcaster and event emcee is Larry Birleffi from KFBC Radio. Speakers include Pierre Maurice Artiguenave, who was the French National Divisional Superintendent and the Treasurer of the French Gratitude Train Committee. Wyoming Governor Arthur G. Crane also speaks to the audience. The Wyoming State Senate President George Burke, of Cody, speaks, as does the State House Speaker Charles Hanner, of Worland. The French military boxcar, with a small military museum within, later was placed on display in the parking lot of the American Legion in Cheyenne. Other original artifacts were placed at the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne.
Tyrell Chevrolet event in Cheyenne to promote the new 1949 Chevrolet automobiles at the dealership in January 1949.
4th Regiment of the Quartermaster Corps music group stationed at Fort Warren. The choir performed before a studio audience on August 25, 1941, in Cheyenne.
Several nationally syndicated shows also are included. The partial programs include entertainer Sammy Kaye and his band performing. The show aired on September 12, 1947. Another program is the VOX Pop radio show that aired on August 22, 1941. The host interviews Navy personnel at the Staten Island Naval Station in New York.
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Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
This material was received from David H. Nutter in 2022.
The collection was processed by John R. Waggener in March 2022 and updated by Jamie J. Greene in October 2022.
There are no known other archival collections created by KFBC Radio Station at the date of processing.