Ramblin’ Lou Schriver, musician and radio broadcaster, Died at 86

Ramblin’ Lou” Schriver was born in 1929 and died on January 17, 2016.

He was an American country musician and radio broadcaster.

Mr. Schriver started his radio career in 1947, performing live music at WJJL in Niagara Falls.

Ramblin was the first person to broadcast country music over the Western New York airwaves.

Lou moved to Buffalo’s WWOL in 1964 as the station flipped to a country music format.

Mr. Schriver bought WMMJ and renamed it WXRL; the “RL” in reference to his initials, in 1970.

Ramblin played in Western New York, Southern Ontario, and beyond.

The band, the Twin Pine Mountaineers, recorded and released an album for Sparton Records, in 1951.

Ramblin featured on the Grand Ole Opry and the WWVA Jamboree and was an annual performer at the Erie County Fair for 51 years until 2015.

A predominant country music promoter, Mr.Schriver brought numerous acts to Buffalo and Niagara Falls, including Elvis Presley, Buck Owens, Johnny Cash, and Hank Williams.

Ramblin was inducted in 1985, into the Country Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame, was a charter member of the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and was a 1996 inductee of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.

Ramblin’ Lou” Schrive was a native of Tonawanda, New York, Schriver was a resident of Grand Island since the 1960’s.

His wife, Joanie Marshall, they wedded on May 20, 1961.

Collectively with their children, they performed locally and internationally as the “Ramblin’ Lou Family Band.”

Ramblin’ Lou broadcast his radio show on WXRL up until his death.

He left behind his wife, four children, and numerous grandchildren.

Ramblin’ Lou” Schrive passed away at 86 yrs old.