Roanoke Radio Loses a Legend

To his WKBA Listeners he was "Cousin Zeke". Therl Leonard passed away on May 19, 2008. Cousin Zeke's radio career started in 1945. He was stationed with the Air Force in Burma, in Southeast Asia, and was invited to host a show. Zeke started his Stateside musical career in Bristol, Virginia in 1947 on WCYB radio's "Farm and Fun Time" and the "Thrift Supply Company Show". He was the bass player in a band with Curly King and the Tennessee Hilltoppers. In 1948 he began his broadcasting career at WMEV in Marion and in 1954 "Cousin Zeke" was named Disk Jockey U.S.A. In 1964 Zeke came to Roanoke to work at "Country Music Radio" - WHYE and at WPXI as it's interim manager. Zeke's heart was always in Country, Bluegrass and Gospel music and in 1968 made the move to WKBA. His musical friends sounded like a "Who's - Who" of country music which included Loretta Lynn, Jim & Jesse McReynolds, Buck Owens, Conway Twitty, The Wilburn Brothers, Tom T. Hall, Merle Haggard, Stanley Brothers, and the Clinch Mountain Boys, just to mention a few. Pictured below "Cousin Zeke" with then Mayor Ralph Smith, helping celebrate his 57th year in broadcasting.

For 63 years, Cousin Zeke filled the airwaves with country and bluegrass gospel, along with a folksy charm that won listeners up and down the spine of Southwest Virginia. His was an old-time radio voice with a soft twang and an easy chuckle. And it was only in failing health that Cousin Zeke retired from his 4 p.m. slot on May 7th. He was 83.