I began my television career in 1974, while still a humble disc jockey in Jefferson City Missouri. It was back in the days of film so I had to learn to shoot a camera in addition to writing and editing. Needless to say there was a lot of material left on the cutting room floor before I was finally decent.

After stints in Tampa and West Palm, I was offered a job in Memphis. Actually, the guy who was instrumental in my tape reaching Memphis was my old News Director, now Access Hollywood exec. George Larrimore.

Over the last 25 years in Memphis, my 8-year tenure at FOX13 News has been the most challenging and enjoyable professionally and personally. 
From the journalistic side I've had the opportunities to cover the tragedy of 9-11 both in Washington and a year later in New York. The Tyson-Lewis fight combined my sports background with news.

All the while it's been fun to learn about the people and the stories that make up the Mid-south area while authoring stories on the "Road Les Traveled."

From the personal side it's also made me proud there's a second generation journalist in the family in my son Jason, who has written some great pieces as a prep sportswriter for the Commercial Appeal. And my son Jeff has created his own longevity by supervising the building of many stores, banks and shops in the Mid-South for Construction Solutions.....add to that the beauty of two granddaughters in Kristen and Kirsten...and you realize life's been good to me in the Bluff City.

But, I still look forward to meeting more people and finding more stories now that maybe...I'm finally a decent journalist.

You can contact Les at les.smith@myfoxmemphis.com.