after graduating, follmer worked for kase-fm in austin, texas. in 1961, he moved to kxyz in houston. in 1963, he began hosting the "after hours show", a 2 to 3 am jazz program on ktok in oklahoma city. he then worked for wsva am, wsva-fm, and wsva-tv. in 1965, he left harrisonburg to become sports director at wtvm-tv in columbus, georgia. he then moved to wlex-tv in lexington, kentucky where he was the sports director and play-by-play announcer for kentucky wildcats men's basketball. in 1970, he joined wsmw-tv in worcester, massachusetts as sports director and play-by-play announcer for boston celtics and new england patriots games. he left wsmw in 1971.