It was a once in a lifetime experience turned tragic. On the morning of November 22, 1963, a young John Sparks joined his fellow high school band members to play “Hail to the Chief” for President John F. Kennedy. Hours later, like the rest of the world, Sparks learned of Kennedy’s assassination.
The experience shaped Sparks’ career path as a journalist., and as a native Texan, Sparks began to learn of unique personal connections that he had to the assassination of the president. Years later, he would uncover more associations during his professional career as a journalist. Five decades later, Sparks, who also serves as The Marist Poll’s Senior Website Editor, shares his unique perspective of that day in a 23 minute documentary, “A View from the Band: Coming of Age and the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy.”
Watch “A View from the Band” here.
In just the latest chapter in Sparks’ illustrious career in broadcast journalism, Sparks is currently co-host of The Texas Daily on KTXD-TV in Dallas, Texas. To mark the anniversary of Kennedy’s assassination, Sparks will serve as Executive Producer and co-anchor during 12 hours of coverage tomorrow, Friday, November 22, 2013. The special will air on Channel 47 in Dallas, beginning at 7 A.M. CST. “JFK 50: A Texas Tribute” will also be streamed online at www.ktxdtv.com.