Born in Ashe County, North Carolina, died in Raleigh. Attorney and philanthropist. Son of James and Louisa Fletcher, pioneer Baptist missionaries in North Carolina and Virginia. In January 1910 Fletcher married Elizabeth Hardy Utley. They had four children. His second marriage was to Margaret Harrington of Raleigh in Sep 1967. ...Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists
A.J. Fletcher (1887-1979)
In the integrity and independence of the enlightened individual lies in the hope of the nation – to inform the public without bias or favor, is the station’s highest duty. – A.J. Fletcher
Born to a Baptist minister in Ashe County, NC, Alfred Johnson “A.J.” Fletcher grew up working a variety of odd jobs. He did not grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth, but by learning the value of hard work young, a principle that he passed on to his children and grandchildren. In his youth, Fletcher worked as a stable boy, a bank clerk, a bellhop, a delivery boy for a grocery store and an attendant at a fruit stand. He discovered the world of news when a law student at Wake Forest College; he had run out of money for school and began running the small weekly paper in Apex. For the paper he served as news reporter, editor, ad solicitor and publisher, working every angle as a one man show.
In 1910 Fletcher married Elizabeth Utley and took the $900 he had saved working at the paper to return to school. He never graduated from college but learned enough law to join the bar and run his own practice as an attorney. He founded the Fuquay Springs Gold Leaf weekly newspaper and invested the money he earned at law and the paper in a variety of interests. Radio Corporation of America was one such company that caught his attention.
Fletcher moved his young family to Raleigh in 1919; he and Elizabeth had three sons at the time and added a daughter, Betty Lou, three years later. He looked for new pursuits in the Capitol City, continuing the practice of law and foray into news.
By the late 1930’s Fletcher’s son Frank had followed his father into the practice of law and was among the first group of lawyers hired by the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, DC. Because of A.J. Fletcher’s interest in music and business and Frank’s reports on the new medium of radio, Fletcher applied for his own license. On July 28, 1938, the FCC granted Fletcher’s request to operate station WRAL on 1240 kilohertz with a power of 250 watts. WRAL-AM signed on the air on March 29, 1939, with NC Governor Clyde Hoey and Raleigh Mayor George Isley issuing welcome addresses. At the time A.J. Fletcher was 52 years old.
Fletcher’s interest in television had already been piqued shortly before WRAL-AM went on the air. He and his eldest son, Fred, saw a demonstration of television at the RCA demo booth at the 1939 World’s Fair. At the customary retirement age of 65, A.J. Fletcher began his battle in Washington, DC, along with Fred, to win the first VHF television license for Raleigh.
Fletcher had a wide variety of other interests but remained particularly devoted to opera. Himself a bass singer and avid performer, he formed the National Grass Roots Opera Foundation in 1948. He wanted to make opera available and accessible to public and provide young artists with professional careers. Through Grass Roots Opera, which later became the National Opera Company, he fulfilled that goal throughout his life.
Even in the years close to his death, A.J. Fletcher maintained an office at 2619 Western Blvd, the home of his beloved WRAL-TV. He drove his black Cadillac up to the door and signed the myriad of papers that needed his approval and was an active participant in Capitol Broadcasting Company’s business until the end.
--Capitol Broadcasting Company
Alfred Johnston Fletcher (1887-1979)
Alfred Johnson Fletcher, the seventh of fourteen children, was born in 1887 in the mountains of North Carolina. After studying law at Wake Forest College, he opened a practice in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. In 1919 he moved his family to Raleigh to pursue other business opportunities. Fletcher had great success with his many ventures including a legal practice, the Dixie Life Insurance Company, Hayes Barton Laundry and Dry Cleaners, and a whole sale grocery business. His greatest achievement was the Capitol Broadcasting Company, which he created when he applied for a 250 watt AM station in 1937. When he went on the air in 1939, he was only the second radio station in Raleigh.
In addition to being a wise businessman, Fletcher was a firm believer in the arts. An early life experience attending an opera made a life-long impression on the entrepreneur. In the late 1940s, Fletcher and friends created the Grass Roots Opera Company, now known as the National Opera Company, exposing many young people to this classic art form. With a strong interest in music, Fletcher also started the Fletcher School of the Performing Arts, creating music scholarships for college bound students. Despite his death in 1979, his generous spirit continues on today in the work of the A.J. Fletcher Foundation, which supports the arts, anti-poverty programs, public education and emerging non-profits.
information from Free Enterprise Heroes by The Jesse Helms Center
A.J. Fletcher founded the Capitol Broadcasting Company in 1937, when he founded Raleigh radio station WRAL (1240 AM, now WPJL). WRAL radio began transmission two years later in 1939, using a 250 watt transmitter, becoming Raleigh's second radio station (after WPTF). In 1942, Capitol created the Tobacco Radio Network, a farm news radio service which was discontinued in 2002 On December 15, 1956, Capitol Broadcasting's flagship television station WRAL-TV went on the air in Raleigh
Author of The Story of a mountain missionary: Rev. James Floyd Fletcher, 1858-1946
A.J. Fletcher (1887-1979)
In the integrity and independence of the enlightened individual lies in the hope of the nation – to inform the public without bias or favor, is the station’s highest duty. – A.J. Fletcher
Born to a Baptist minister in Ashe County, NC, Alfred Johnson “A.J.” Fletcher grew up working a variety of odd jobs. He did not grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth, but by learning the value of hard work young, a principle that he passed on to his children and grandchildren. In his youth, Fletcher worked as a stable boy, a bank clerk, a bellhop, a delivery boy for a grocery store and an attendant at a fruit stand. He discovered the world of news when a law student at Wake Forest College; he had run out of money for school and began running the small weekly paper in Apex. For the paper he served as news reporter, editor, ad solicitor and publisher, working every angle as a one man show.
In 1910 Fletcher married Elizabeth Utley and took the $900 he had saved working at the paper to return to school. He never graduated from college but learned enough law to join the bar and run his own practice as an attorney. He founded the Fuquay Springs Gold Leaf weekly newspaper and invested the money he earned at law and the paper in a variety of interests. Radio Corporation of America was one such company that caught his attention.
Fletcher moved his young family to Raleigh in 1919; he and Elizabeth had three sons at the time and added a daughter, Betty Lou, three years later. He looked for new pursuits in the Capitol City, continuing the practice of law and foray into news.
By the late 1930’s Fletcher’s son Frank had followed his father into the practice of law and was among the first group of lawyers hired by the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, DC. Because of A.J. Fletcher’s interest in music and business and Frank’s reports on the new medium of radio, Fletcher applied for his own license. On July 28, 1938, the FCC granted Fletcher’s request to operate station WRAL on 1240 kilohertz with a power of 250 watts. WRAL-AM signed on the air on March 29, 1939, with NC Governor Clyde Hoey and Raleigh Mayor George Isley issuing welcome addresses. At the time A.J. Fletcher was 52 years old.
Fletcher’s interest in television had already been piqued shortly before WRAL-AM went on the air. He and his eldest son, Fred, saw a demonstration of television at the RCA demo booth at the 1939 World’s Fair. At the customary retirement age of 65, A.J. Fletcher began his battle in Washington, DC, along with Fred, to win the first VHF television license for Raleigh.
Fletcher had a wide variety of other interests but remained particularly devoted to opera. Himself a bass singer and avid performer, he formed the National Grass Roots Opera Foundation in 1948. He wanted to make opera available and accessible to public and provide young artists with professional careers. Through Grass Roots Opera, which later became the National Opera Company, he fulfilled that goal throughout his life.
Even in the years close to his death, A.J. Fletcher maintained an office at 2619 Western Blvd, the home of his beloved WRAL-TV. He drove his black Cadillac up to the door and signed the myriad of papers that needed his approval and was an active participant in Capitol Broadcasting Company’s business until the end.
--Capitol Broadcasting Company
Alfred Johnston Fletcher (1887-1979)
Alfred Johnson Fletcher, the seventh of fourteen children, was born in 1887 in the mountains of North Carolina. After studying law at Wake Forest College, he opened a practice in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. In 1919 he moved his family to Raleigh to pursue other business opportunities. Fletcher had great success with his many ventures including a legal practice, the Dixie Life Insurance Company, Hayes Barton Laundry and Dry Cleaners, and a whole sale grocery business. His greatest achievement was the Capitol Broadcasting Company, which he created when he applied for a 250 watt AM station in 1937. When he went on the air in 1939, he was only the second radio station in Raleigh.
In addition to being a wise businessman, Fletcher was a firm believer in the arts. An early life experience attending an opera made a life-long impression on the entrepreneur. In the late 1940s, Fletcher and friends created the Grass Roots Opera Company, now known as the National Opera Company, exposing many young people to this classic art form. With a strong interest in music, Fletcher also started the Fletcher School of the Performing Arts, creating music scholarships for college bound students. Despite his death in 1979, his generous spirit continues on today in the work of the A.J. Fletcher Foundation, which supports the arts, anti-poverty programs, public education and emerging non-profits.
information from Free Enterprise Heroes by The Jesse Helms Center
A.J. Fletcher founded the Capitol Broadcasting Company in 1937, when he founded Raleigh radio station WRAL (1240 AM, now WPJL). WRAL radio began transmission two years later in 1939, using a 250 watt transmitter, becoming Raleigh's second radio station (after WPTF). In 1942, Capitol created the Tobacco Radio Network, a farm news radio service which was discontinued in 2002 On December 15, 1956, Capitol Broadcasting's flagship television station WRAL-TV went on the air in Raleigh
Author of The Story of a mountain missionary: Rev. James Floyd Fletcher, 1858-1946
Born in Ashe County, North Carolina, died in Raleigh. Attorney and philanthropist. Son of James and Louisa Fletcher, pioneer Baptist missionaries in North Carolina and Virginia. In January 1910 Fletcher married Elizabeth Hardy Utley. They had four children. His second marriage was to Margaret Harrington of Raleigh in Sep 1967. ...Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists
A.J. Fletcher (1887-1979)
In the integrity and independence of the enlightened individual lies in the hope of the nation – to inform the public without bias or favor, is the station’s highest duty. – A.J. Fletcher
Born to a Baptist minister in Ashe County, NC, Alfred Johnson “A.J.” Fletcher grew up working a variety of odd jobs. He did not grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth, but by learning the value of hard work young, a principle that he passed on to his children and grandchildren. In his youth, Fletcher worked as a stable boy, a bank clerk, a bellhop, a delivery boy for a grocery store and an attendant at a fruit stand. He discovered the world of news when a law student at Wake Forest College; he had run out of money for school and began running the small weekly paper in Apex. For the paper he served as news reporter, editor, ad solicitor and publisher, working every angle as a one man show.
In 1910 Fletcher married Elizabeth Utley and took the $900 he had saved working at the paper to return to school. He never graduated from college but learned enough law to join the bar and run his own practice as an attorney. He founded the Fuquay Springs Gold Leaf weekly newspaper and invested the money he earned at law and the paper in a variety of interests. Radio Corporation of America was one such company that caught his attention.
Fletcher moved his young family to Raleigh in 1919; he and Elizabeth had three sons at the time and added a daughter, Betty Lou, three years later. He looked for new pursuits in the Capitol City, continuing the practice of law and foray into news.
By the late 1930’s Fletcher’s son Frank had followed his father into the practice of law and was among the first group of lawyers hired by the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, DC. Because of A.J. Fletcher’s interest in music and business and Frank’s reports on the new medium of radio, Fletcher applied for his own license. On July 28, 1938, the FCC granted Fletcher’s request to operate station WRAL on 1240 kilohertz with a power of 250 watts. WRAL-AM signed on the air on March 29, 1939, with NC Governor Clyde Hoey and Raleigh Mayor George Isley issuing welcome addresses. At the time A.J. Fletcher was 52 years old.
Fletcher’s interest in television had already been piqued shortly before WRAL-AM went on the air. He and his eldest son, Fred, saw a demonstration of television at the RCA demo booth at the 1939 World’s Fair. At the customary retirement age of 65, A.J. Fletcher began his battle in Washington, DC, along with Fred, to win the first VHF television license for Raleigh.
Fletcher had a wide variety of other interests but remained particularly devoted to opera. Himself a bass singer and avid performer, he formed the National Grass Roots Opera Foundation in 1948. He wanted to make opera available and accessible to public and provide young artists with professional careers. Through Grass Roots Opera, which later became the National Opera Company, he fulfilled that goal throughout his life.
Even in the years close to his death, A.J. Fletcher maintained an office at 2619 Western Blvd, the home of his beloved WRAL-TV. He drove his black Cadillac up to the door and signed the myriad of papers that needed his approval and was an active participant in Capitol Broadcasting Company’s business until the end.
--Capitol Broadcasting Company
Alfred Johnston Fletcher (1887-1979)
Alfred Johnson Fletcher, the seventh of fourteen children, was born in 1887 in the mountains of North Carolina. After studying law at Wake Forest College, he opened a practice in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. In 1919 he moved his family to Raleigh to pursue other business opportunities. Fletcher had great success with his many ventures including a legal practice, the Dixie Life Insurance Company, Hayes Barton Laundry and Dry Cleaners, and a whole sale grocery business. His greatest achievement was the Capitol Broadcasting Company, which he created when he applied for a 250 watt AM station in 1937. When he went on the air in 1939, he was only the second radio station in Raleigh.
In addition to being a wise businessman, Fletcher was a firm believer in the arts. An early life experience attending an opera made a life-long impression on the entrepreneur. In the late 1940s, Fletcher and friends created the Grass Roots Opera Company, now known as the National Opera Company, exposing many young people to this classic art form. With a strong interest in music, Fletcher also started the Fletcher School of the Performing Arts, creating music scholarships for college bound students. Despite his death in 1979, his generous spirit continues on today in the work of the A.J. Fletcher Foundation, which supports the arts, anti-poverty programs, public education and emerging non-profits.
information from Free Enterprise Heroes by The Jesse Helms Center
A.J. Fletcher founded the Capitol Broadcasting Company in 1937, when he founded Raleigh radio station WRAL (1240 AM, now WPJL). WRAL radio began transmission two years later in 1939, using a 250 watt transmitter, becoming Raleigh's second radio station (after WPTF). In 1942, Capitol created the Tobacco Radio Network, a farm news radio service which was discontinued in 2002 On December 15, 1956, Capitol Broadcasting's flagship television station WRAL-TV went on the air in Raleigh
Author of The Story of a mountain missionary: Rev. James Floyd Fletcher, 1858-1946
A.J. Fletcher (1887-1979)
In the integrity and independence of the enlightened individual lies in the hope of the nation – to inform the public without bias or favor, is the station’s highest duty. – A.J. Fletcher
Born to a Baptist minister in Ashe County, NC, Alfred Johnson “A.J.” Fletcher grew up working a variety of odd jobs. He did not grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth, but by learning the value of hard work young, a principle that he passed on to his children and grandchildren. In his youth, Fletcher worked as a stable boy, a bank clerk, a bellhop, a delivery boy for a grocery store and an attendant at a fruit stand. He discovered the world of news when a law student at Wake Forest College; he had run out of money for school and began running the small weekly paper in Apex. For the paper he served as news reporter, editor, ad solicitor and publisher, working every angle as a one man show.
In 1910 Fletcher married Elizabeth Utley and took the $900 he had saved working at the paper to return to school. He never graduated from college but learned enough law to join the bar and run his own practice as an attorney. He founded the Fuquay Springs Gold Leaf weekly newspaper and invested the money he earned at law and the paper in a variety of interests. Radio Corporation of America was one such company that caught his attention.
Fletcher moved his young family to Raleigh in 1919; he and Elizabeth had three sons at the time and added a daughter, Betty Lou, three years later. He looked for new pursuits in the Capitol City, continuing the practice of law and foray into news.
By the late 1930’s Fletcher’s son Frank had followed his father into the practice of law and was among the first group of lawyers hired by the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, DC. Because of A.J. Fletcher’s interest in music and business and Frank’s reports on the new medium of radio, Fletcher applied for his own license. On July 28, 1938, the FCC granted Fletcher’s request to operate station WRAL on 1240 kilohertz with a power of 250 watts. WRAL-AM signed on the air on March 29, 1939, with NC Governor Clyde Hoey and Raleigh Mayor George Isley issuing welcome addresses. At the time A.J. Fletcher was 52 years old.
Fletcher’s interest in television had already been piqued shortly before WRAL-AM went on the air. He and his eldest son, Fred, saw a demonstration of television at the RCA demo booth at the 1939 World’s Fair. At the customary retirement age of 65, A.J. Fletcher began his battle in Washington, DC, along with Fred, to win the first VHF television license for Raleigh.
Fletcher had a wide variety of other interests but remained particularly devoted to opera. Himself a bass singer and avid performer, he formed the National Grass Roots Opera Foundation in 1948. He wanted to make opera available and accessible to public and provide young artists with professional careers. Through Grass Roots Opera, which later became the National Opera Company, he fulfilled that goal throughout his life.
Even in the years close to his death, A.J. Fletcher maintained an office at 2619 Western Blvd, the home of his beloved WRAL-TV. He drove his black Cadillac up to the door and signed the myriad of papers that needed his approval and was an active participant in Capitol Broadcasting Company’s business until the end.
--Capitol Broadcasting Company
Alfred Johnston Fletcher (1887-1979)
Alfred Johnson Fletcher, the seventh of fourteen children, was born in 1887 in the mountains of North Carolina. After studying law at Wake Forest College, he opened a practice in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. In 1919 he moved his family to Raleigh to pursue other business opportunities. Fletcher had great success with his many ventures including a legal practice, the Dixie Life Insurance Company, Hayes Barton Laundry and Dry Cleaners, and a whole sale grocery business. His greatest achievement was the Capitol Broadcasting Company, which he created when he applied for a 250 watt AM station in 1937. When he went on the air in 1939, he was only the second radio station in Raleigh.
In addition to being a wise businessman, Fletcher was a firm believer in the arts. An early life experience attending an opera made a life-long impression on the entrepreneur. In the late 1940s, Fletcher and friends created the Grass Roots Opera Company, now known as the National Opera Company, exposing many young people to this classic art form. With a strong interest in music, Fletcher also started the Fletcher School of the Performing Arts, creating music scholarships for college bound students. Despite his death in 1979, his generous spirit continues on today in the work of the A.J. Fletcher Foundation, which supports the arts, anti-poverty programs, public education and emerging non-profits.
information from Free Enterprise Heroes by The Jesse Helms Center
A.J. Fletcher founded the Capitol Broadcasting Company in 1937, when he founded Raleigh radio station WRAL (1240 AM, now WPJL). WRAL radio began transmission two years later in 1939, using a 250 watt transmitter, becoming Raleigh's second radio station (after WPTF). In 1942, Capitol created the Tobacco Radio Network, a farm news radio service which was discontinued in 2002 On December 15, 1956, Capitol Broadcasting's flagship television station WRAL-TV went on the air in Raleigh
Author of The Story of a mountain missionary: Rev. James Floyd Fletcher, 1858-1946
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