Sylvia Holmes, born in Winters, Texas, began her radio career by entering and winning first place at the regional finals of a nation-wide contest in Dallas. The contest was sponsored by a movie magazine with the winners receiving scholarships to Pasadena Playhouse in California. Sylvia would then relocate from San Angelo, Texas to Pasadena attending and graduating with a major in Television. From here she would join TV/Radio station KDUB in Lubbock. After getting some experience on late night radio in Lubbock she accepted a job in Abilene on KNIT. It was during this time that another radio personality on KNIT, Slim Willet, was enjoying national attention having written recording a #1 Country song “Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes”. From KNIT it was off to New Orleans where radio tycoon, Connie B. Gay, had created a new concept in radio that would feature an all girl line-up. The radio’s call letters would be WYFE in which Sylvia would become “Eve” (evenings) with the other 2 girls “Sunny” (afternoons) and “Dawn” (mornings). With the radio station’s format ranging from country to pop the girls would wear lavish custom-designed costumes ranging from cowgirl to satin rhinestones. Since all of the girls were young and attractive they were soon in great demand hosting concerts, interviewing both country and pop music celebrities, Mardi Gras parades, live remotes, popular night clubs, celebrity balls and special guest, being photographed on stage, with the stars of the Louisiana Hayride. It was during a visit to the WYFE studios by Scotty Moore (Rock & Roll Hall of Fame) in late 1959 that would change the course of Sylvia’s radio future. Scotty, from Memphis, had recently produced a record entitled “Tragedy” #5 Pop featuring Thomas Wayne, and had been visiting the many radio stations across the south when he met “Eve” at WYFE. Since Scotty was Elvis Presley’s original guitar player they not only discussed Elvis but his girl friend Anita Wood, DJ on WHHM, Elvis’ best friend George Klein DJ on WHHM along with Dewey Phillip, DJ, who was the first to play his record in 1954. When rumors began to circulate that radio station WYFE might be changing ownership Sylvia decided to visit Memphis and radio station WHHM. The management, at WHHM, then created a late night show “A Late Date With Sylvia”. Located in downtown Memphis and because of it’s proximity to Sun Studios the station became a favorite, after hours meeting place, for celebrity music performers. When Elvis returned from the service a concert was held at the auditorium in Memphis which included Scotty Moore and Bill Black. When Elvis would return back to Memphis from his now hectic schedule of recordings, TV appearances, concerts and movies in 1960 he would tune in to “A Late Date With Sylvia” being especially fond of her poetry readings. One night Elvis called Sylvia and said he enjoyed her program and would be coming to the station soon in order to meet her. A couple of nights later, true to his word, Elvis shows up wearing a black tux coat, white shirt and a red cumber bun. When Sylvia asked Elvis why he was all decked-out he replied that having to wear Army fatigues for so long that he just wanted to dress up. When Sylvia asked what the special occasion might be? He replied: “He’d been to a movie” (Elvis would rent the theater). After chatting with Sylvia, between spinning records, Elvis invited her to Graceland in which she would meet and become friends with all of his family, close friends, musicians and followers. The one thing that Elvis did not like was being exploited and because Sylvia got off to a good start on their first meeting she became a life-long friend of Elvis Presley. Sylvia’s next surprise was being proclaimed “Miss DJ USA” in which was a special guest at The Grand Ole Opry. From Memphis Sylvia joined Comedian Brother Dave’s organization in Hollywood. After becoming homesick for West Texas (having graduated from Kermit High School) she accepted an offer as Program Director and late night DJ for KWFR radio in San Angelo. In 1972 she moved to Abilene, Texas where she became program director at KTXS TV where she continues in 2008.

Sylvia Holmes is considered to be the first female in Texas to direct local newscast, hosting a live, one hour, morning shows for five years with one of her productions, entitled “Texas Tumbleweeds” winning the top spot being featured on Good Morning America. In 2008 she was a nominee for The Texas Radio Hall of Fame.