Must-reads in Tuesday’s AJC

By Staff

For the AJC

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Charley Humbard began looking for something more meaningful in his life. The result? The Gospel Music Channel -- the fastest-growing cable channel in the U.S. during the past five years. Here's an excerpt from his inspirational story:

As a kid, Charley Humbard hung around music stars such as Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, and gospel greats Mahalia Jackson and Andre Crouch. He met Elvis, a family friend. By 7 years old, Humbard was teaching himself to play guitar.

Later in life, Humbard’s love for production and experience with cutting-edge audio technology eventually landed him a job in secular TV. He worked for Atlanta’s Turner Broadcasting System and Crawford Communications in the late 1980s, meeting his Ohio-born wife, Jennifer, here. By the late 1990s, he was helping run Discovery Channel in Washington.

Shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks, he quit his job and moved his wife and sons to Atlanta to be near his parents and other relatives while he worked on business ideas.

It came to Humbard as a friend helped him move furniture.

A little Tennessee cable channel devoted to gospel music was up for sale.

But one big thing stood between Humbard and the channel – the average $100 million it would take to start and fund a new cable operation with top-notch production.

Also in Tuesday’s AJC:

-- The Technical College System of Georgia broke a record for fall enrollment. What do the figures say about the economy?

-- Do you follow "Top Chef?" Do you like Tom Colicchio? Don’t miss our interview.

-- More on Tim Tebow and the University of Florida as Georgia prepares for Saturday’s matchup.

Where our reporters are today (Tuesday)

* The U.S. Census Bureau releases a new round of data. Are more metro Atlantans living in poverty?

* The Georgia World Congress Center Authority meets. Will the board discuss a new football stadium for the Falcons?

* More quarterly earnings reports are coming today. How will AGCO fare?