WHEELING - The opening of Interstate 70 was still a few years away when country music legend Doc Williams came to Wheeling in 1937. But everyone traveling the highway now will know that he and his late wife, Chickie, helped put the Friendly City on the map.
"I was very honored and very humbled to have that done for us," Williams said in reaction to the West Virginia Division of Highways' recent naming of a section of highway between Washington Avenue and Elm Grove as the "Doc and Chickie Williams Highway; Country Music Royal Couple."
One of the sponsors of the legislation to name the roadway was Williams' grandson, current state Sen. and Wheeling Mayor-elect Andy McKenzie.
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Photos by Casey Junkins
Wheeling country music legend Doc Williams shows off a portrait of his late wife, Chickie, and one of his favorite guitars.
"I am very, very proud of Andy and everything that he has done. He has always been very devoted to the city of Wheeling, and I know he will do everything he can to help the city in the years to come," Williams said of McKenzie.
As for the highway sign, Williams said he appreciates the recognition for the many years that he and Chickie entertained fans as the headlining act of Jamboree USA.
"When I first came to Wheeling in 1937, the Jamboree was, really, not much. But it grew and grew and grew over the years," he said.
Williams was an active participant in Jamboree shows from 1937 to 2003, but he began his career playing acoustic guitar at square dances in small Pennsylvania towns.
"My grandmother bought me my first professional guitar in 1933. When President (Franklin D.) Roosevelt lifted the prohibition laws, I was able to play guitar at beer gardens for $1 a night," he said.
Williams and Chickie married in 1939. Chickie later gave birth to three daughters, Barbara, Madeline and Karen.
Over the next several years, Williams and Chickie headlined the Saturday night Jamboree that could be heard from Canada to Florida on AM radio, which helped draw loads of tourists to Wheeling for many decades.
"When Wheeling businessmen would go to Canada, they would always get discounts because the people knew our show," he said.
After playing at different venues throughout the city, Williams and the Jamboree made the Capitol Music Hall their permanent home in the late 1960s.
"The Capitol Music Hall is such a beautiful theater. And we have so many great memories from there that I really hope they can do something to save it," he said.
The Capitol was closed by current owner Live Nation in May 2007 when the Wheeling Fire Department announced 23 fire code violations at the theater.
Currently, the city of Wheeling, the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corp., the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Regional Economic Development Partnership are working to acquire and rehabilitate the Capitol.
Williams supports the efforts to reopen the theater.
"I hope they will do everything they can to get the theater open again," he said.
Williams also supports the efforts of the new Wheeling Jamboree to bring live, country music back to the Friendly City.
"Things are a lot different now than they used to be, but I wish them the best of luck with it. No one loves the Jamboree any more than I do," he said.
Though arthritis now prevents his from playing guitar for lengthy periods of time, Williams still likes to play at home once in a while.
"I still like to play a little now and then, but I can't do it for very long," he said.
One thing Williams does quite a bit of at home is answer fan mail, particularly the electronic variety.
"We have fans all of the country and all over the world. So when this whole Internet thing got going, I knew I wanted to be on the Internet," he said.
Fans can check out his Web site at www.docwilliams.com.
"I appreciate all the interest I get. I even got a message from a 16-year-old German boy who loves the classic country music," he said.
Williams said the major difference between the music he and Chickie played for many years and modern country music is that the new music incorporates electric guitars, keyboards, amplifiers and drums.
"Using these instruments creates a totally different sound. Modern country is much more like rock 'n' roll than classic country," he said.
Williams also said most of the new music lacks distinction.
"In my day, everyone had their own sound and style. Now it seems like everyone wants to sound the same," he said.
One modern country artist Williams admires greatly is Glen Dale native Brad Paisley.
"Brad Paisley is a credit to our profession. He has great drive and has worked very hard to accomplish what he has," Williams said.
Overall, Williams said life has given him much more than he ever expected in his 94 years.
"It has been a very interesting life ... much more than I ever thought it would be," he said.