The Western Express
| Genre | Country music |
|---|---|
| Running time | 180 minutes (1947-1956) 60 minutes (1956) 240 minutes (1956-57) |
| Home station | KCNC, KVAN |
| Hosted by | Charlie Williams (1947-1956) Willie Nelson (1956-57) |
| Original release | 1947 – 1957 |
The Western Express was a country-music radio show transmitted by KCNC in Fort Worth, Texas. The show started in 1947, hosted by disk jockey Charlie Williams. In 1956, the station later hired Willie Nelson, a then struggling singer-songwriter who previously worked on different radio stations. Nelson hosted the three-hour-long show singing his original songs, taking calls and playing records.
After moving to Portland, Oregon, Nelson hosted the show for KVAN, in Vancouver, Washington. Initially on a morning one-hour slot, Nelson limited the format to only play records. Through public appearances, he became a popular DJ, eventually moving to a four-hour-long slot. The show was cancelled in 1957, after KVAN switched the programming format from country music to rock and roll.
The Western Express started in 1947, being aired by KCNC in Fort Worth, Texas and hosted by disk jockey Charlie Williams. Upon Williams' sudden move to California in 1956, the station hired Willie Nelson, who previously worked short stints in local stations. Besides of sign-on shift, Nelson took the The Western Express, the three-hour afternoon show that ran from 12:00 to 15:00.
During the first half-hour, he performed his original songs with the accompainment of his guitar, while he played records for the remaining of the show. Nelson was also joined on the show by his gutarrist, Oliver English; drummer Tony Roznozky; and Nelson's later to-be drummer and Oliver's brother, Paul English. The program also featured Nelson taking calls from his listeners on the area.
Later the same year, Nelson moved to Portland, Oregon. He was hired by KVAN in Vancouver, Washington, where he hosted the show from 13:30 to 14:30. Nelson removed his singing from the format, and limited himself to only play records. While he was off-the-air, Nelson sold airtime for publicity on his show. Dubbed, "Wee Willie Nelson" and "Texas Willie Nelson", he started to make public appearances. Due to his high popularity, Nelson's time slot was changed to 10:00 - 14:00, becoming the most listened radio personality on the Portland-Vancouver area.
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