U.S. Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC) on Monday honored recently retired radio legend Carl Lamm.
Rouzer presented Mr. Lamm with a flag that was flown over the United States Capitol on March 29, 2019. The date is significant in that it was the last day on the radio for Carl, who ended a 72 year career in the broadcast industry.
Additionally, Carl was presented with a copy of a speech made by Congressman Rouzer in the US House of Representatives on April 10, 2019 thanking him for his contributions to Johnston County and the State of North Carolina.
“In more than seven decades on air, he brought some of the greatest musicians, top athletes, professionals of all stripes, and national political figures and commentators into the homes and businesses of his listeners to discuss current events and politics, to preach the Word of God, and much more,” Rouzer said in the remarks on the US House Floor. “He has witnessed the evolution of radio from the glory days of the Grand Ole Opry to the digital age of the 21st century.”
“Suffice it to say, we will all miss listening to Mr. Carl on the air at WTSB Radio. It is not often that you get to know a legend in their own time. Mr. Carl is just that and a very dear friend to many as well. As he enters this new chapter of life known as retirement, may God always continue to bless his path,” Rouzer added.
The US Flag and copy of the US House speech was presented to Carl at Congressman Rouzer’s Johnston County office in Four Oaks.
Carl, 92, officially retired on March 31, 2019. In April 2019, he received the Ronald Wilson Reagan Legacy Award from the Johnston County Republican Party. He also received recognitions from the Towns of Smithfield and Four Oaks and the County of Johnston immediately after his retirement.
Throughout his career he received many recognitions including the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, Smithfield-Selma Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award, Johnston County Living Legend Award and was inducted into the NC Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Carl was also the Sales Supervisor of the Smithfield Tobacco Market for seven years and was inducted into the Johnston County Agriculture Hall of Fame. He is a past recipient of the NC Sports Broadcaster of the Year Award.
Carl began his broadcasting career at WCEC in Rocky Mount, NC in 1947. He worked at WCKB in Dunn for almost 10 years before becoming part-owner and operator of WMPM in Smithfield in 1958. He and son, Mickey, purchased WTSB 1090 AM in 2007 until it was sold in July 2019.
Carl is a veteran of the United States Naval Reserves. He was married to Marjorie for 63 years before her death in 2015. He is the father of three children, a grandfather of eight, and great-grandfather of seven. He resides in Four Oaks. In 2009 he authored a book about his life and long career with the help of Doris Cannon. It is entitled “Sixty-Three Years on the Air, My Life and Times.”
