Carl Lamm turned 90 today (Tuesday). He was born in 1927 in Spring Hope, a small town in Nash County. Carl is the father of three children, Travis, Lynda, and Mickey. He is the proud grandfather of eight, and the great-grandfather of three. He was married to Marjorie Barbour Lamm for 63 years until her death in 2015.
Carl started his broadcast career in Rocky Mount at WEED and WCEC Radio, and he later moved to WCKB in Dunn, where he spent 10 years. Since 1959 he has been owner/operator of WMPM Radio in Smithfield, and in 2007 he purchased WTSB.
He has 70 continuous years in radio broadcasting, making him the oldest broadcaster in NC and possibly in the nation. In 2004, Carl was inducted in the NC Broadcasters Hall of Fame. In 1971, he was named the N.C. Sports Broadcaster of the Year.
Carl was also sales supervisor of the Smithfield Tobacco Market for 7 years. Carl was inducted into the Johnston County Agriculture Hall of Fame. He has been profiled in many publications including The News & Observer, Dunn Daily Record, Smithfield Herald, The Johnston County News, and Our State Magazine which profiled him as one of the legends of broadcasting in the State of North Carolina. His legendary career has also been highlighted on several local TV stations.
He is also a past President of the Smithfield Rotary Club. He established Rotary Radio Day in 1972 which raised more than $300,000 for local charities. In 2003, the Smithfield Rotary Club established the Carl and Margie Lamm Scholarship which is awarded annually.
Carl was the second person ever to receive the Paul Harris Fellow Award by the Smithfield Rotary Club. Gov. Jim Hunt also presented him with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
He has appeared as an invited guest on the Grand Ole Opry, and in 1953 hosted a Mr. D.J. USA Show, which originated in the studios of WSM in Nashville, Tennessee. Among numerous civic awards through his legendary career, Carl received the Distinguished Citizen Award by the Greater Smithfield-Selma Chamber of Commerce in January 2003.
Carl Lamm has centered his life on the Lord Jesus Christ. He taught aSunday School class for more than 50 years at Beulah Hill Christian Church in Four Oaks. Currently he is a member at First Baptist Church in Smithfield. He wants to thank all of his listeners who have supported him through a very blessed career. Listen to him weekdays on 1090 AM and 105.5 FM WTSB from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
