Ed Craney

Edmund Blodgette "E.B." "Ed" Craney (February 19, 1905 – April 6, 1991) was an American radio and television executive. He brought the first radio station to Butte, Montana, in 1929, KGIR, which eventually became a part of his chain of unparalleled radio stations dubbed "The Z-Bar Network." Craney also had a hand in beginning Montana's first local television station in 1953 that was also located in Butte. Craney founded the Montana Broadcasters Association, while KGIR was the first station to join the National Broadcasters Association.

Early life

Craney was born in Spokane, Washington to Lucy Blodgette, a schoolteacher, and James Craney, a Superintendent of the Great Northern Railway. The elder Craney's job eventually brought him to Swan Lake, Montana to work with the Somers Lumber Company, while his mother remained a teacher. Craney was raised at the family house at Swan Lake, as were his sisters Emily, Martha, and Cora, and brother Oliver. The Craney family lived at Swan Lake on an island that was only accessible by steam boat.