It was a bittersweet moment for the Yazoo community with last week’s retirement of local servants Colon and Brenda Johnston. The couple have spent several years giving back to the community through their business endeavors, civic volunteerism and optimistic outlook.
They were often behind the scenes, unknown to many enjoying the fruits of their labors.
They were unsung heroes, dedicated servants of Yazoo. Never looking for recognition or fame, they simply cared about the community.
They believed in Yazoo.
“There are a lot of good things and good people in Yazoo,” Colon said, in a 2014 interview with The Herald. “There are opportunities here.”
“It’s just full of good people,” Brenda added.
The couple were extremely active in a variety of civic affairs and community events. Their voices were heard across the airwaves with their local radio station Power 107, which they built from the ground up.
And their proudest achievement was the annual Jerry Clower Festival.
“It’s all for the community and seeing these events that draw people together,” Colon said.
Colon grew up in Yazoo City, graduating from Benton High School.
It was in high school that his love for radio and broadcasting began for him. It was a career that he would follow for the rest of his life.
“I have been in the radio business all of my life,” he said. “It all started in high school, and I kept at it through the years.”
Colon’s first broadcasting job came in 1953 while he was a junior in high school.
“I was interested in broadcasting and being a disc jockey, playing records,” he said. “A job became available at WAZF, an AM station in Yazoo. I auditioned for it and got the job.”
Colon spent his last two years of high school spinning records over the airwaves.
“I was working full time at the radio station while I was still in school,” Colon said.
It was the early 1950s. Music was everything on a young person’s mind. Radios were found in every home. And Colon was one of those voices, bringing the music to the masses.
“For people in that era, radio was the big thing,” he said. “You were looked at like a celebrity almost if you were on the radio.”
The station Colon worked at played a variety of music from big band to country to easy listening.
And then there came a country boy from Mississippi named Elvis Presley. Rock and roll music took it up a notch.
“When Elvis first came out, he and I were the same age,” Colon said, with a smile. “So, yes...I liked him a lot.”
After high school, Colon made his way to Holmes County for college, but he continued working the evening shift at the radio station.
It was the beginning of a long career that took him around the country. From Louisville to Memphis to Louisiana to Tennessee, Colon either worked, managed or owned radio stations.
At one time, he owned and operated three stations.
“It felt great being able to do the things I always wanted to do,” Colon said. “I didn’t have to ask for permission from owners. I was able to do it myself.”
After selling a station in Pine Bluff, Ark., Colon returned to his hometown of Yazoo City.
“In my travels, working with people in the business in different areas...there is no place like home,” he said.
At the same location it stands today, Power 107 was born.
“We built this station from scratch,” he said. “We built it from the ground up.”
Brenda, who was raised in the French Camp area, married Colon in 1979. It wasn’t long before she jumped into the radio world with her husband.
“It was all new to me,” she said, with a smile. “It was a new way of life. But we worked great together from the beginning.”
Not only does Power 107 air music, but there is also a strong community presence with coverage of local sports, business events and government meetings.
“There is never a dull moment,” Colon said, with a laugh.
They often traveled to broadcast local sports ranging from little league state tournaments to high school sporting events.
Aside from the radio station, the Johnstons were very active in community events and civic groups. Colon served as chairman and board member of the Yazoo Chamber of Commerce. He was a longtime member of the Yazoo Rotary Club.
Colon was also chairman of the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters.
The couple were involved with the Main Street Association, the Yazoo County Fair, the Yazoo Christmas Parade and the Jerry Clower Festival.
“We love the community,” Colon said. “We want to see it progress. Yazoo has lot of potential.”
“There are a lot of friendships, being involved with the community,” Brenda added.
The Johnstons remained optimistic about the future of Yazoo. Through their work within the radio business and community endeavors, they saw the positive things happening within the city. They see good people.
They know there is a future here. And they believe it.
“It’s about being community-minded to help promote all the good things going on in the community,” Colon said. “And there are plenty of good things out there.”
