Julius Talton

Julius E. Talton (1929-2005) was a visionary broadcaster and telecommunications entrepreneur and an exceedingly generous citizen of his community and state. Gary Fuller Mayor of Opelika, AL said this about his friend and mentor Big JET, “One of the most important lessons I learned from him was the importance of community service. He thought it was something you were supposed to do and he did it better than anyone I've known in the industry. I've always given him the credit for whatever success I had, not only in the radio business, but in life.”

Julius was born in Montgomery, raised in Selma and worked his way through The University of Alabama. After graduating with a degree in broadcasting, he served for five years as a pilot in the Strategic Air Command. He began a successful career in sales for WAPI in Birmingham, becoming Sales Manager in just three years. In 1961, he formed Talton Broadcasting Company and purchased radio stations WHBB and WTUN in Selma. In 1965, WHBB FM was the first fully automated radio station in Alabama. Further expansion came in 1969 with the acquisition of WBIB in Centerville. Talton Communications Corporation was formed in 1973 as a Radio Common Carrier (Radio Telephones and Radio Pagers), General Communication. Talton Outdoor Advertising, specializing in billboard advertising, was formed in 1976. Julius became President of a fifth company in 1979 when Talton Broadcasting Company of Escambia County purchased WATM and WSKR in Atmore, AL.

In addition to this varied and time consuming broadcast and related advertising career, Julius always found the necessary hours for leadership positions that included the civic, business and alumni areas of his life. His leadership roles included serving as President of Selma Dallas County Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Selma City School Board, President of Alabama Broadcasters Association and on the College of Communication and Information Sciences Board of Visitors for the University of Alabama.

The Ted Koppel connection begins with Julius' commitment to the latest and best technology, which in most cases was expensive. He said many times “investing in great equipment was less expensive it the long haul than buying something cheap.” The ABC Radio Network sent a young “rookie reporter” to Selma to cover the march to Montgomery and broadcast live reports back to New York. The big shots in New York had never heard of a Marti Mobile Transmitter and were amazed that Ted Koppel was able to deliver a crystal clear signal of the events in Selma. When Julius would visit with the ABC guys at conventions they all knew him because of the coverage he was able to provide.

Additional Areas of Service
· President of the Selma Rotary Club
· Chairman of the Selma-Dallas County United Appeal
· Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board
· Council Vice Chairman of the Tuckabatchee Area Council, Boy Scouts of America
· Director of the Paul Grist YMCA in Selma
· Director of the Peoples Bank & Trust Company in Selma
· President of the University of Alabama Alumni Association 1979-1980

Special Recognition
· Alabama Broadcasting Association Broadcaster of the Year 1977
· Outstanding Alumnus Award from the School of Communications, University of Alabama in 1975
· Named Sesquicentennial Honorary Professor of the University of Alabama School of Communication in 1981

Julius married his high school sweetheart, Pearle Luckie and their 53 year married produced two children. A daughter Pud Talton Glover and a son, Julius Talton, Jr. Julius and Pearle have seven grandchildren, three grandsons (one named Julius Ellis Talton, III) and four granddaughters.