May 26, 09

Hi Barbara & Bob,

I first have to tell you that this has brought back a lot of good memories for my family. I checked with Mom and my brother and sisters and although we all have great personal memories, we had a hard time coming up with dates until my sister Nonny (Spencer now) came up with an article written by Zoanne McCain that was published in the Anderson Valley Press on 08-01-1968. In the article Zoann wrote that dad's "unique style of announcing" was a result of 10 years of experience, which began in 1958, when he first started as an announcer for KBLF radio in Red Bluff, which was also about the same time he began announcing for the Red Bluff Rodeo and the "Tehama Totem Fair". The article says that dad became a racing announcer at the beginning of the 1967 VARI racing season, but he was a VARI member since 1963 when he tried his hand at racing promotion. Dad announced NARC sprint races and announced races in Carson City, NV. One of the things Zoann wrote in the article was "He has a gift of gab that sparks each performance with colorful and highly descriptive remarks, for example, in a particularly close finish, two highly competitive drivers took the checkered flag almost simultaneously. As the officials announced the winner, the crowd sounded like a beginning for a lynch mob. Charlie rose to the occasion by saying Well folks, we've just seen a close one! The winner took it by a radiator cap! His quick remark brought a round of laughter and turned the crowd's mood to lighter subjects." I have a copy of this article and could provide a copy of it if you would like I'm not sure exactly when dad stopped announcing, I have a copy of the 1971 Auto Racing Yearbook which lists dad as announcer and also lists my sister Nonny as one of the scorers for the Silver Dollar Speedway. (this also has a picture of when dad received a trophy for his announcing, which was something that pleased him more than you will ever know) I think that may have been the last year that he announced, although its possible he also announced in 72.

We all grew up hearing about racing and race car drivers, and we all spent many nights enjoying the races. BJ, Nonny, Tracy & I each spent some time in the announcer stand helping Dad with paperwork so he could make sure all sponsors were acknowledged as many times as possible each night. Nonny helped the most, but BJ ate the most pizza at the pizza place in Anderson. (was it the Hide Away? The Pizza Tree? I can't remember) I was with dad one night when a whole bunch of people went to someone's house after the races and people were getting thrown in to a swimming pool. One of the racers went up to dad, hesitated for just a couple seconds and then threw dad in the pool along with every one else. Dad really got a kick out of that and so did I. I always thought it showed that although dad was "one armed Charlie" to a lot of people, it was a nick name only, not an indication that he had any sort of handicap, dad was just one of the guys in the racing community.

Dad always loved the dirt track racing and enjoyed the "mudding in" of the track. Dad hated to see accidents happen and tried his best to distract people from accidents by going in to one of of his stories or corny jokes if there was any chance a driver was hurt Gary Cressey told me one time several years ago that Dad's long time phrase about lining up the racers "two by two like ducks going to water" made no sense and had othing to do with racing, but that Gary "stole' this phrase and used it himself (he continued to announce after dad stopped) because it had just become so much a part of racing in both Chico and Anderson and he did this as a tribute to dad. I hope this info helps, if you need anything else, let me know. We've all been thinking about this and can tell you personal stories or memories, we can tell you our favorite drivers names, their car numbers and the colors of their cars, I bet Nonny could even still name sponsors (dad really was a stickler on that). Dad really enjoyed announcing the races and we have enjoyed remembering those days.

Thanks!
Lilly (DeFrates) Parker