Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 14, 1995 TAG: 9509140009
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FRANCES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The character's name became his own, recalls Leonard, who rarely gives his real name.
"I reckon I was a natural-born comedian from my childhood," he said, noting that he always had the ability to make people laugh. He could make them sing too, and he still does by accompanying himself on a big bass viol.
For a half century, Cousin Zeke - it took a call to radio WKBA (1550) to find out his real name from his wife - has been playing country and gospel music over the radio. An August celebration of his 50 years as a disc jockey brought out about 500 people from around Southwest Virginia to the independent, fundamentalist Fellowship Baptist Church in Southeast Roanoke, where he worships.
He's become a household word in many Roanoke homes and shops where gospel music and talk helps pass the hours of work.
Cousin Zeke started his music career on a pre-World War II Farm and Fun show on Bristol's WCYB (690), playing in a band with Curley King and the Tennessee Hilltoppers, becoming a disc jockey and becoming friends with such stars as Mac Wiseman, the Standley Brothers and Lester Flatt. His own account of his broadcasting days, though, goes back to 1945 when he was invited to have a show on a military radio station while he was stationed with the Air Force in Rangoon, Burma.
Back at home, he took a two-week job helping to raise money for the Marion Fire Department at WMEV(1010) in Marion and ended up staying 33 years. He returns every Christmas for the company party at the H.S. Williams steel plant there.
He started Cousin Zeke and the Virginia Valley Boys band about 1948, and they played until about 16 years ago when Cousin Zeke's son was born. "I guess anybody 100 years old with a son ought to stay home!" he jokes.
In 1954, he was voted "D.J. U.S.A."
While still at WMEV in 1964, Cousin Zeke joined WHYE and Pixie Radio (910) in Roanoke. Two years later, he met the late Rev. Harry R. Peyton, who was then general manager at WKBA in Roanoke. Cousin Zeke became sales manager and had a two-hour program in the afternoon.
He stayed busy on the road from Roanoke to Marion until 1981 when he gave up the Marion job. A year later he started a Sunday night program of old-time country and bluegrass gospel music on WJLM (J93). In 1985 that program moved to WRIS where Cousin Zeke stayed for five years until he returned to WKBA. His show is still on the air from 4 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
He is joined by his wife, Drema, as they carry on a kind of dialogue on the air - a mixture of song and testimony, between catching the phone calls of faithful listeners.
Cousin Zeke seems to make a joke of everything - everything, that is, except the Bible. His natural tendency to hug and glad-hand puts him in a league with the best of politicians.
Cousin Zeke likes to recall memories such as the time Joan Crawford, the late movie queen, came to Marion to help dedicate a Pepsi-Cola plant. Her husband was an executive in the company.
During the August celebration, when he wasn't hugging people, he was sampling the bountiful food and praising the ladies who prepared it. But along with the compliments there was a touch of sadness. After all, 50 years is half a century.
David Moran, who owns WKBA and has known Leonard a long time, referred to Cousin Zeke in a tribute as the "wild and crazy man" who, like a wise father, always comes through when needed.
Although he was raised a Baptist and "was brought up right," Cousin Zeke says he tries harder now "to live for the Lord and not the devil."
He won't dwell on his "devil" days but said he now gives his time to gospel rather than secular country lyrics.
Retirement? "Not even thinking of it," Cousin Zeke said.
"I reckon I'll sing gospel and make people laugh over the radio till I die."
Keywords:
PROFILE
Memo: ***CORRECTION***