You’ve probably seen the 3-minute video I recently posted discussing Richard Byrd, a man from the tiny town of Mayo Florida who went on The Price is Right in 1983. I found this story on a local facebook page, someone from Mayo had mentioned it and a bunch of locals commented on the post. I connected with Richard’s daughter Sonia, who was with him in the audience that day. Richard’s grandson Charles and grandson Bart also shared some memories with me.
How it Started:
Charles: According to what I’ve heard from the family, (Richard) loved watching The Price is Right and a few of his customers believed that the show was rigged. He did not believe it, and wanted to go out there just to prove to everyone that it was a real show.
Bart: He didn’t fly. He drove. That was very much Richard. He refused to fly and had no problem making a road trip out of it. As far as why he went, Richard had the exact personality for The Price Is Right. He was funny, charming, and could talk to anybody. From what he told me, someone from the show pulled him aside under the pretense that he had skipped in line, but by the end of the conversation he had them laughing. It turned out to be a way for staff to interview possible contestants without them realizing it. Clearly, he made an impression.
Sonia: We were in Reno visiting family and decided to detour by the Price is Right on our way home to FL. Dad loved watching the PIR and had wanted to go to the show for a long time before we made it out there.
On Stage at The Price is Right:
Sonia: Daddy, Mama and myself were just happy to finally be there in the audience, and when Johnny called his name me and mama about fainted! Daddy, of course, was like excited and ready to go!! Dad was actually a very good poker player, so that was a hoot that he got to play “The Poker Game” when he was on stage with Bob Barker!
Bart: He was an avid poker player always won. Had the most amazing luck of anybody but just that though he was really brilliant with numbers. The irony wasn’t lost on anyone that knew him that he got to play POKER as his game on The Price is Right!
What About the Prizes?
Charles: Grandpa told me it was one of the coolest things he ever did. He kept all of the prizes. I now own the piano that he won, which is in my home and my daughters both have learned how to play it. He was an excellent piano player, so it was an honor for me to be able to have that.
Sonia: Yes, he/we kept all the prizes and still have them. He gave the scooter to a nephew before I moved back and I never got to ride it!
Richard Byrd in a Nutshell:
Charles: The one thing that I wish folks knew about my grandfather Richard was that he was an incredible man. He was a wonderful businessman and he could build almost anything by hand. He was a wonderful God-fearing person and he loved people. He had a heart, the size of Texas. If I’m ever half a man he is I will be successful.
Sonia: I would like people to know how much Daddy loved the Lord and his fellow man. His whole purpose in moving back to Mayo was to open a business that would give the teenagers a place to go to and to socialize. Daddy genuinely cared for people— and showed it!!!
Bart: He was a real small-town Florida man with a big personality, a huge heart, and a life full of stories. He played piano on the GRAND OLE OPRY for a barbershop quartet when He was still very young maybe 19 or 20. He was every bit as kind, funny, and charming in real life as he seemed on that show.