PORTLAND, Ore. — Back in the 1950s, KGW produced much more than just news in their TV studios.
It was the Golden Age of Television and a singing cowboy named Heck Harper, welcomed guests every Saturday night on the Circle 8 Hoedown. The TV show featured square dancers, fiddlers, singers, guest musicians and of course, Heck Harper.
“Heck was probably the most honest, friendly, caring individual that I've ever known,” said Steve Melnichuk, one of the musicians in the Circle 8 Hoedown band.
Melnichuk had a sweet voice, cherubic face and played the double bass with great skill, but he’s not interested in going on about himself. As one of the few remaining living cast members, Melnichuk said he just wants to keep Harper’s memory alive.
“He was a wonderful person, never selfish, always shared,” said Melnichuk. “He was my best friend.”
That friendship goes back to 1958. Melnichuk was a senior at Portland State University. He'd often see Harper on his way to the TV station and say hello. One day while talking with Harper, Melnichuk took a chance.
“I said, ‘By the way, if you ever need a standup bass player, I can do that,’ recalled Melnichuk. “[Harper] said, ‘Well that's interesting, do you have a bass?’ I said, ‘Oh yeah!’ I didn't, but I knew I could rent one!”
Melnichuk and his rented bass showed up at the KGW Studios for an audition. It went well.
“[Harper] says, ‘You know what? Can you sing that song next Saturday on Circle 8 Hoedown?’ Yeah!" recalled Melnichuk with a laugh. “He says, ‘And play your bass, too.’”
Heck Harper was a local celebrity. He and his horse, ‘Jody’ were fixtures in the community. He and the whole Circle 8 Hoedown gang got to hang out with some of the biggest local celebrities of that time —the original KGW News team. There was Tom McCall, Doug LaMear, Richard Ross and Jack Capell.
“They would be around to give us a bad time,” shared Melnichuk. “But I think they liked us.”
Besides the Circle 8 Hoedown, Harper also hosted kids shows, Heck Harper's Cartoon Corral and Heck Harper's Pioneer Club. Young fans got their own Pioneer Club membership cards.
“It was just a good ride and I loved it,” said Melnichuk.
In 1998 Heck Harper passed away at the age of 79. Melnichuk said when his time comes, he doesn't want Harper’s memory to die with him.
“He was too good of a friend to let people forget him," said Melnichuk. "Too good of a person.”
In Melnichuk's heart, the Golden Age of Television remains untarnished, 65 years later.
“Great memories,” he said. “Great people, nice ride.”