That voice. That long time distinctive, professional, local radio voice that most all of us have heard over the years in Shelby, Cleveland County, and surrounding area. The voice belongs to Andy Foster, who was honored during a special celebration for his fiftieth year in broadcasting, August 20th, 2017 at Double Springs Baptist Church. Andy is a long-time member of the church.
The event for Andy was attended by friends, radio fans, and both his immediate and church family. Visitors at the event included past WOHS and WXIK-FM deejays from the late 60's-80's and beyond, like EB- Eddie Bridges, Jeffery Owens, Charlie Cabiness, Kent Dorsey, Robbie Ruppe and present day WOHS (AM-FM) owner Calvin Hastings.
There were big smiles and memories all around when Andy was approached by the next person in line and that individual was a former coach or athletic director that he dealt with when preparing for the next game. Successful local high school names in football, basketball, and baseball, including Ed Peeler and George Litton, retired from Crest, Chris Norman, former championship coach with the Shelby Golden Lions and Guy Suttle, still coaching.
So many of us for decades have listened to Foster call the big play during a Friday night Cleveland County High School Football rivalry game, such as Crest vs. Shelby or Burns vs. Kings Mountain. Or perhaps, a Tuesday evening basketball game, when a player hit a last second winning shot. Spring and summer months on the air, meant Andy was calling high school baseball followed by American Legion Baseball games. More recently that long lists of sports broadcast involves American Legion World Series contests in August at Veterans Field. Let's not begin to try and add up, how many games he's called over all.
Many of us are old enough to remember the days when Shelby's WXIK 96.1 FM was a lightning bolt from Asheville to Charlotte and beyond. Andy was the midday announcer for the popular Top-40 pop station most of those years. He played your favorite tunes by cueing up records on the turntable in the late 60's, 70's and in to the 80's, before he switched over to compact discs. Playing favorites by artists like Chicago, Stevie Wonder, and Hall and Oates in the 70's to Bon Jovi, Kool and the Gang, and Madonna in the 80's, and then introducing Hootie and the Blowfish and Mariah Carey in to the 90's.
Andy is known as somewhat of a quiet guy off the microphone, but when that live on-air switch comes on, that deep voice and descriptive personality paints a vivid picture for the audience like no one else. His blood line no doubt carried on to his two sons, who have been in either radio or television. Oldest son Paul, has worked mainly in radio from Upstate S.C. to Charlotte, Gardner-Webb, and today for Public Radio WNCW at Isothermal Community College. While, his younger son, Tim, has provided behind and in front of the camera cable TV work from Rutherford County to Hickory to present day at Cleveland Community College's C19. In recent years, Tim also helps his father call some radio sportscasts.
Harold Watson, one time owner of the radio scene in Shelby and Andy's former boss, once said, "Andy could have broadcast anywhere in the nation." Meaning a job in a much bigger market. While there were offers, Andy was content on using his talents at home, while raising a family and keeping what is now been a 50-year marriage with his wife, Brenda, top priorities. Another priority for him was to tell the story of your son, and on occasion, your daughter's, sports performance during a local radio broadcast. Teenagers at that time, including star players like David Thompson, Herbert Harbison, Tony Scott, Alan Burris, Robert Williams, Kevin Mack, Norris Hopper, Scottie Montgomery, Manteo Mitchell, and Jonathan Bullard. Anyone who took the field or court, regardless of in a small or big role, got some airtime thanks to Andy.
Congrats on fifty-years Andy Foster (Dad), and to think you're not done. He's calling a football game this Friday night. Thanks for a job well done. That voice!

Pictured: Andy, foreground, broadcasting with his long-time broadcast partner and friend, the late Dan Greer.
By Paul Foster