MSS 422 Eddie Saunders Papers

              MSS 422
Eddie Saunders Papers
Page 1
OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Manuscripts/Audiovisual Collections
MSS 422
Eddie Saunders Papers
1940-1983
OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION
Number:
MSS 422, MSS 422 AV
Title:
Eddie Saunders Papers
Creator:
Eddie Saunders
Dates:
1940-1983
Media:
Papers, photographs, audio recordings
Quantity:
8 cubic feet
Location:
Ohio Historical Center
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE COLLECTION
James Edward "Eddie" Saunders was born in Covington, Kentucky in 1909. He graduated from Garnett in Charleston, West Virginia and attended West Virginia State University and Wanzer Vocal School. After graduation he toured the country as a gospel singer with the Kings of Harmony. In 1937 Saunders moved to Columbus, Ohio where he formed his own group, the Gospel Trumpets. He joined radio station WHKC (later WTVN) in 1944 and inaugurated programs titled "Helping Hand" and "Swanee Hour." Saunders became central Ohio's first African American disc jockey when he hosted "Chatter Platter" on WRFD in 1947. He joined WVKO, the first African American radio station in Columbus, in 1948. Saunders continued to play gospel music, but also programmed rhythm and blues, the first disc jockey to do so in the area. He worked at WVKO until 1979 when he became semi-retired, hosting only one radio program on Sunday mornings. Active within the Columbus community, Saunders received honors from the National Urban League, the Ohio General Assembly and the Columbus City Council. He passed away in 1999.
Source:
Interview with Eddie Saunders, November 1983; Columbus Citizen-Journal, October 26, 1978.
SCOPE AND CONTENTS OF THE COLLECTION
The Eddie Saunders papers date from 1949 to 1983. They consist of certificates and award received by Saunders for his achievements in the field of broadcasting and for community