KBOR's Voice of Brownsville - Hank Hollingsworth

By Javier Garcia 

Hank Hollingsworth in front of former KBOR station on 1934 Central Blvd before it was demolished

Even though the television had already been invented, between the 1960s and early '80s, people could still gather near a radio to listen in on the latest news reports during a hurricane threat or high school football game.  Back then there were few television channels in south Texas and even fewer radio stations that broadcasted in English.  KBOR was a bilingual radio station on and off for the most part which saw many changes since being built in 1948. 

Jose Rangel Cantu with 1952 scenes from his funeral

The station was innovative for its time.  Radio host Jose Rangel Cantu became a sensation with his Sunday two-and-a-half-hour musical production known as “Programa Popular” and soon became a voice for Mexican nationals working in the bracero program long before Caesar Chavez became nationally known but his early demise in 1952 brought all that to a screeching halt.  Most remember his signature trade-mark sign-off code phrase “Me estas oyendo, Chucha?” but very few people living in Brownsville today can truly express the importance of what Jose Cantu stood for.

But there are still many who remember another voice.  A voice that resonated with the sound of sports.  He became affectionately known as The Voice of Brownsville and an article of that title appeared in 1981 Brownsville Herald which looked back at the career of Hank Hollingsworth.  RGV's local sports and cultural historian Rene Torres and I sat with Hank, his wife Nancy and daughter Debbie at the Brownsville Public Library Central Branch to go over his life.

He was just twelve-year old a boy out of Brownsboro, Texas when he went to Ft Worth to watch a Cats baseball game.  KXOL’s Bill Hightower was calling the plays and Hank thought he could do just as well so he asked for a chance to prove himself and Hightower turned the microphone over to him.  That poignant moment eventually led him to Elkins Broadcast School to earn his commercial radio operator license but not before trying a stint in the US Army.  He managed to join the army fresh out of high school at the age of 18 but only lasted four months and nine days.  He was told his fight with polio as a teen released him of his duty to country. 

Hollingworth arrived at KBOR in Brownsville, Texas by June of 1960.  Minor Wilson was the owner and manager at the time.  He and his brother Walton got their start in the late 1920s when KWWG broadcast from twin antenna towers on top of El Jardin Hotel. 

For the time being Hal Roche announced the sports reports.  Hank sat on the other side of the sound-proof glass and played commercial breaks in between announcements and musical programming but eventually he would find himself behind the microphone covering Eagles football games live from Sam’s Stadium in 1962 and soon took over after John Harrison died in 1964.  The following decade three schools were built:  Hanna, Porter and Pace; creating three football teams to follow. 

One time Hank and his wife Nancy (BHS Class of ’63) were at the Bobcat Stadium in Edinburg and something very unusual happened.  It was very cold and rainy that night but the gusty winds wanted to decide the game.  At the moment of kick-off the ball was punted thirty yards downfield but a strong wind thrust it back into the hands of the kicker.  The players all froze in disbelief until he ran with the ball for an instant touchdown!  The Associate Press ran the story.

Hank Hollingsworth reporting on the street with Roger Staubach in Harlingen, Texas

There were other poignant moments and sports highlights in his career but of more interest to the non-sports fan would be Hank’s occasional accessibility to important people and celebrities.  He met Richard Nixon while he was campaigning in Harlingen and got to interview Dallas Cowboy quarterback Roger Staubach when Ronald Reagan and Nancy were campaigning in the RGV in 1980, whom he also met.  Tom Landry literally swept Hank’s daughter Debbie off her feet and created a memory she will always cherish.  Governor Bill Clements, Jr. was also a memorable person of importance after his narrow defeat of John Hill in 1978.  Hank enjoyed politics and was here when Judge Reynaldo Garza became the first Hispanic be named to the federal bench by John F. Kennedy and Judge Filimon Vela, Sr., who he saw rise as a city commissioner to state judge then later appointed as federal judge by President Jimmy Carter.

Hank rated the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy as the biggest story he ever had to report.

1976

His work was a community service.  If you turned on the radio to 1600 KBOR AM and heard his voice you knew it was sports/news.  But other times it might be an announcement asking the community to be on look out for a little boy’s lost dog or lawn ornament.  Too be more specific, a lawn jockey which was the target of several pranks against Brownsville’s Mayor Stokely.   Every time someone stole it from his lawn he would call the station to report it and ask that it be returned; which it would be until the next time.   

1981 Brownsville Herald photo by Joe Hermosa

When Hurricane Allen threatened the coast in 1980 Hank had to be at the station.  Wife Nancy and daughter Debbie stayed with their father while he intercepted reports and broadcast them over the airways.  The small KBOR building was constructed of heavy slabs of concrete not only to be soundproof but also to withstand hurricanes.   The building stood so solid that his daughter Debbie noted how quiet it was inside during the storm.

1981 Brownsville Herald photo by Joe Hermosa

KBOR had been broadcasting from Sam’s Stadium since 1957.  By 1981 music trends overtook interest of AM radio sports broadcasts.  Listeners preferred music and periodic news reports so the station changed with the times and Hollingsworth was named news director.  It was then that he began attending city, county and school meetings for news stories to report.  Sports coverage wasn’t completely dropped, but KGBT in Harlingen, KQXX in McAllen and KSOX in Raymondville had begun broadcasting Friday night games.   The station format had made a shift from Big Band music when he arrived in 1960 to what was called middle-of-the-road (MOR).

1978 Hank would often be accompanied by his daughter Debbie for City Hall meetings

After twenty-four years in radio Hank felt it was time for a change.  He had completed enough college credits to become certified as a teacher so he began teaching World History and American History at Porter High School.  He obtained his credentials by minoring in business and attending Pan American University in Edinburg (UTRGV-Edinburg today).  He fondly credits Texas Southmost College  president Arnulfo Oliveira as being instrumental in making it possible for him to earn a degree in Edinburg while working in Brownsville. 

1984 teaching at at Porter High School - photo by Brad Doherty

Besides teaching history, he used much of his personal experience to help prepare students for the world they would embark upon after high school.  Eventually he put thirty-one years of teaching behind him to retire.  He continued to cover football games until KBOR went off the air permanently in 2000.

Looking back he recalls how much more intensive it was working as a teacher than it was as a broadcaster.  After all, “...dealing with 150 personalities is definitely enough to keep me busy,” he said in a 1984 interview with Brownsville Herald staff writer Brenda Alvarado. 

1995 Hollingworth and Zamora broadcasted live from Corpus Christi

As a sports writer Ronnie Zamora was eager to try sports broadcasting on the radio so he teamed up with Hank. The duo was also joined by David Dierlam to make a team that lasted nearly fifteen years.  For baseball and football games played in Corpus Christi a special telephone lined was used to connect microphones to equipment for remote broadcasting. 

In 2004 Hank Hollingsworth was inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame.  He was honored by the gesture and proud to have been named among his own heroes such as Tom Landry and Bobby Morrow.  Other names recognizable to Brownsvillites might be coach Tony Barbosa, Margaret M Clark, Rene Torres, Charles Vaughn, Gus Zavaletta and later, his personal friend and color analyst at the games, Ronnie Zamora, to name a few.

His service to the community extended beyond the airwaves by his involvement with the West Brownsville Lion’s Club, membership on the board of directors for the Esperanza Home for Boys (today Southwest Key Programs), Villa Bethany Homes, First Baptist Church and United Way.  He was also a founding member of the Boys & Girls Club in Brownsville.   

Hank at the KBOR exibit at Brownsville Heritage Complex 2011.  (Photo by Debbie Hollingsworth Robertson)

When I first met Hank briefly at the Brownsville Historical Association event hosted by KMBH’s Lupe Saenz honoring KBOR’s Jose Cantu back in 2011, he had been introduced to me as “The Voice of Brownsville,” but the iconic label was only familiar to those who were raised here during the ‘60s and ‘80’s.  Now that we are in the year 2017 and social media has made accessibility and connectivity of people much easier, I can understand why many people still appreciate and remember Hank for being the trusted voice over the radio for local news and sports. We included a few comments below for a few readers who shared them.

 1948 Brownsville Historical Association archival photo of KBOR as it was being built and collage made from various sources

Thanks to Debbie Hollingsworth Robertson, Nancy Hollingsworth, Rene Torres and Marilyn De Walt for their assistance.

[Comments carried over from Facebook]

Tom MillerI worked for KBOR in 1980-81 with Hank Hollingsworth. Gordon Marcy did mornings. Irene did Middays. Chris Eric Michael did afternoons and I did nights. Bill Sadler was the GM and it was owned by Steve and Jim DeWalt. I'm still in the biz working for Cumulus Media. It was Adult Contemporary then.

Joey HernandezI remember going there and picking up prizes i would win by listening n playing their games! would also record Their music into my cassettes..memories

Mario Bejarano Jr.My family and I lived behind it for 27 years @ 1944 N. Coria. Lots of memories.

Dottie Irwin MelkoConnie Green was the Winter Texan connection for the entire Valley when she was on the air. We performed there several times!! She was always so nice & kind to us. I went to school with her son, Larry for most of my school life. He was as quiet as she was outgoing!!!

Lupe SaenzI have a copy of that booklet sent to my dad in 1952 when Jose Cantu died. The booklet even had a piece of the tree bark where he was killed. In fact, I produced a 30 minute documentary on this in 2003. I have it and will upload for you, if you like.

Joanna Besteiro BarnettDoes anyone remember 'Radio Gallito' and the trademark theme? I think it started with a rooster, "R-R-R-RRRR, ay ay ay....' and pistolas?

Ray RiosDoes anyone remember, radio juventud? I remember the rooster!

Elena Resendez ZorolaOH, yes, it does seem like yesterday, both Jose Cantu in the afternoons, Connie Green in the mornings. "Every day is Mother's Day to me" and "Me estas oyendo, Cucha?"

Mario DavilaI think I remember Roy Zepeda and Hal Roche,being DJ's at KBOR-AM, Hal in the morning and Roy in the afternoon playin Spanish music, I hope I got Hal's name correct.

David Saldivar I grew up in Brownsville born here in 1951 .I would wake up to the radio playing as my parents love music and they love soft jazz . the station was 1600 KBOR .Every morning around 6am they played a cute little jingle that went like this. A little birdie with a yellow bill prop a pond my window seal and said get up get up you sleepyhead. After that Bobby Reader I think would give the national and local new. Ms Greene would have a talk show and sometimes would have a local elementary school class come out and everyone in that class would performed a poem or what ever. I got to go in the 3rd and 5th grade. Life was simple but promising.

Comments from Diego Garcia’s Yesteryear’s Brownsville after Debbie Hollingsworth Robertson posted photo of demolition.

Cheryl Fowler My dad, Bob Fowler, came to Brownsville in 1946 to be sales manager and early morning host until he switched to real estate. Lots of memories.

Karen Copenhaver Pattillo Didn't know that!

Priscilla Abbott Bob Fowler was my Sunday School teacher when I was in 8th grade. I can still hear his voice.

Sunny O'Shea Visited station during a school field trip. Connie Green let us do short commercials. Great memory.

Elena Resendez Zorola My daughter drove me by Saturday afternoon after having early dinner and I saw that. It did bring back many memories of those great radio years: Connie Green, Jose Cantu, the Teen Hour with high school students commentating, etc. My father had taken me to the station back in the late 40's-early 50's, not sure the year. He needed to inform Jose Cantu about something or other due investigating.

Dottie Irwin Melko My family was friends with the Wilson family. My brother spent lots of time there. My fiancée at the time spent time there recording songs, sang on the Connie Green Show& oh so many more memories. I know both your mom & dad as well. Oh if the walls could talk!!!

Debbie Hollingsworth Robertson I remember the Wilson's well and Connie

Andi Duncan Meyners Sad time for those of us that remember it. Was there several times for the teen hour back in the mid 60s. Plus my mom was close friend of June Wilson.

Cynthia Hamilton Great memories of being on the air for "Teen Hour" on Saturday mornings, especially during The Eagles football season!!

Sandy Johnston Hardy It was always a comforting landmark for me. I will miss it. The Wilson boy was in my class.

Ricardo Daniel Cavazos Iconic radio station and broadcaster....

Sandy Johnston Hardy loved Hank doing the football games when I was in highschool

Marilyn DeWalt Debbie, I remember you as a child. I loved your folks. My husband was Jim DeWalt whose parents were Gladys (Wilson) and Herb DeWalt. Jim, his dad (Herb), and Gladys' 4 brothers (Walt, Minor, Vance, and Willis Wilson built the building and managed KBOR.  I remember everyone moving into the station during hurricanes to try to keep it on the air. It was built with cement blocks with poured concrete in each block. The station was on 8 acres belonging to their mother, Kate Wilson who lived nextdoor.

Debbie Hollingsworth Robertson I thought you looked familiar. Now it all makes sense!! And I remember the station well! I spent at least one hurricane in there and never knew anything was going on outside!! I actually spent a lot of time there through the years Dad was working there. I went with him when he did a lot of his interviewsSo many great memories and I'm very sad to see it go!

Carol Lutsinger At the vacant lot where the house was I saw a flock of wild turkeys about 9 AM today. Poor things had a terrible time trying to cross back over Central BLvd towards the old nursery building!

Marilyn DeWalt When the Wilsons built that house it was out of the city limits. They planted 8 acres of citrus on the property.

Raul Gutierrez Loved that station...broadcast the eagles games

Priscilla Abbott I remember being there for Connie Green and also for Teen Hour as well. Once when I was in Junior High I sent in the correct answer to a quiz Connie Green had on her show and my entry was sent special delivery so it beat the other correct entries and I won a bunch of neat prizes.

Carol Lutsinger Always remember Hank and the football games. He was quite the celebrity in those good old days!

Priscilla Abbott I remember the morning programs which we would listen to at breakfast and getting ready for school. Sam Perl had a little segment back in the day.

Carol Lutsinger and he did love everybody....loved to listen to Mr. Sam Perl!

Priscilla Abbott Yes, a really great man!
Mark Aten Aw, that is sad! I have a lot of good memories hanging out with Hank in the control booth when either Mom was working in her programming director's job or Dad for his devotionals and attending Connie Green's show.

Mamerto Perez Went there on a field trip back in 1954, when I was attending Cromack,.

Tony Esparza Loved the Friday night games. Great voice!

Lolly Gomez I can still remember clearly Mr. Hank Hollingsworth's distinct voice. Enjoyed hearing the Friday night game broadcasts! Priceless memories!

Linda Fredrickson Landreth Brought back memories. Thanks.

Benita Longoria Champion So sorry to hear this. I am an OOOOOLLLDDD friend of your mother.

Lane Aten Thank you Hank Hollingsworth, for the many great years of listening to KBOR !!!

Priscilla Abbott So many KBOR memories. When I would come back from Japan for vacation, I would listen to KBOR and there would be really good nostalgic-type music playing. This was in the days when my mother was still around, and she has been gone since 1984.

Roberta Ideus The sleepover we had was probably in the big studio where the baby grand piano was.

Roberta Ideus I remember Hank so well. A very nice guy. It's funny. My son Jonathan worked for La Quinta some years ago when a man and his wife checked in. Jonathan saw that they were from Brownsville and on an off chance asked if they had ever heard of a man named Minor Wilson who was from Brownsville and had been his grandfather. He said the man's jaw dropped and he told him he had worked with him for twenty years. It was Hank. Small world.

Mark Aten Hello Roberta! It sure is nice to "see" you here on FB. How are you doing? I can't remember the last time we saw each other. I'm sure it revolved around a visit with Mom. Regarding the radio station, I seem to recall that you got to have a late-night program that played the newly burgeoning sound of Contemporary Christian music. Mom sure did love you! The Lord's blessings on you!!! 

Luis Louie Gonzales I remember his voice. Especially during the Brownsville football games broadcast on 1600 KBOR

Doug Crowe I started leaving B'ville the year Hank came to town, but I appreciate his contribution to the community's life.