Bill Race
Brian SmithJames Howard, known both as the longtime co-host of legendary broadcaster Luther Masingill and maybe the nicest guy in local media or elsewhere, has become the host of "This N That" on WTVC-TV NewsChannel 9. He will continue to host his weekday morning radio show on WDEF-FM Sunny 92.3.
In making the announcement, WTVC General Manager Mike Costa added that senior meteorologist Bill Race is moving to weekend weather coverage to allow him to do more feature reporting and that former "This N That" host Brian Smith will join the "Good Morning, Chattanooga" team Monday through Friday.
"This N That," which airs at noon weekdays, was created by now-retired WTVC personality Don Welch. It's a features-style show showcasing local people and events.
According to a release from WTVC, the moves were made after Race said last summer that he'd like to move to weekends.
"I was looking for a new challenge and an opportunity to do more feature reporting," Race said. "This move allows me to do that and helped make possible my new feature series, 'The Human Race.'
Smith said weather has always been his first love.
Howard said, "I'm so excited to have this opportunity. I've always enjoyed filling in on 'This N That' and always wanted to do more. But I also love working with Kim [Carson] in the mornings [at Sunny] and wasn't ready to give that up. Now, I don't have to. I have the best of both worlds."
His first day on the show as host was Wednesday.
Howard has been at WDEF since 1993 and was partnered with Masingill from 2001 until the death of the radio icon in 2014. Howard co-wrote a book called "My Life With Luther: A Glimpse of a Legendary American Broadcaster" with Holly Abernathy in 2013.
* We've seen a little bit more activity at UTC's McKenzie Arena of late regarding concerts. It's always good to see more live music in town. Elton John is scheduled there March 12, and James Taylor will be there on April 23. That's two big acts certainly big enough to fill it up.
What's funny to me is the way some people remember the "glory" days, as if there was a big show there every week or so. While we did get Aerosmith, Motley Crue, ZZ Top, Tina Turner and other big acts of the day in the '80s and '90s, it was three to five a year. It just seemed like more.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.