I'm currently at the inaugural Georgia Radio of Fame dinner at the Marietta Conference Center Among the attendees: Kent Burkhart, Jerry Blum, Gary McKee, Tony "The Tiger" Taylor, the organizer John Long, Kelly McCoy, Red Jones, Ludlow Porch, Sam Hale, Leslie Fram, Scott Slade, Herb Emory, Jim Vann, Red Neckerson and Rhubarb Jones. The emcee is the wonderful, mellifluous Joel Godard, formerly of WLTA-FM, and now part of Conan O'Brien's crew. The inductees haven't been announced yet. I'll post them as soon as I get'em.
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Ga. Radio Hall of Fame dinner
- Thread starter rho01
- Start date
Cheers for Clark and Boortz. Scott will just have to go complain to his Marconis. I vote Slade next year!
I was expecting a quiet little ceremony, but it was great. John and the crew must have spent months putting together the multimedia montages of those inducted posthumously, including radio pioneers from the first licensed stations in 1922. It was great to meet Hugh Jarrett, Don Kennedy, and other legends. For me, the most interesting comments of the evening came from Gary McKee, whose boss at QXI told him to be less egotistical and more of a team player with Yetta, et al, and gave them credit for making him look good, which of course all good ensemble actors know. And the chicken wasn't bad either.
OgOgglby said:I was expecting a quiet little ceremony, but it was great. John and the crew must have spent months putting together the multimedia montages of those inducted posthumously, including radio pioneers from the first licensed stations in 1922. It was great to meet Hugh Jarrett, Don Kennedy, and other legends. For me, the most interesting comments of the evening came from Gary McKee, whose boss at QXI told him to be less egotistical and more of a team player with Yetta, et al, and gave them credit for making him look good, which of course all good ensemble actors know. And the chicken wasn't bad either.
The Comments from McKee are priceless. We all know that a support staff always make one look really bright. I wish that I could have been there as well. McKee was one of my Radio
Heroes as a kid, and He's one of the deciding factors of me even trying to be in the biz. I entered and left, but its great to know that his Radio Career will live on with great airchecks, and such from all the websites.
Years ago Gary wouldn't have been this honest. He was always a good guy but many radio guys get so busy playing a role that it takes events like this to see the "real" person. One of the great things about this event was nobody was trying to upstage anyone and we've seen up close and personal that great radio people can age with grace and maturity. What we see is a generation of people who cared more about the listener than their own image and PR. They knew they were part of our lives and created something bigger than life. Kind of puts today's 10 second talk breaks that "relate" before going to long music sweep on the sidelines of something memorable.
A
amitherightcaller
Guest
Gerogia Radio Hall of Fame Awards - the thing that I find disturbing regarding these type of events are all the countless radio people who won't get their few minutes in the spotlight. The men/women who worked the overnight shifts - the weekends - the holidays - vacation/sick relief - those who worked the Sunday morning religious blocks - those who who did "on-air/engineering/sales/janitorial work" at the many small daytimers scattered across Georgia, keeping the overhead down so their operations could keep a signal on the air.
These people were the BACKBONE of Georgia Broadcasting yet they'll never get as much as a pat on the back or "job well done" spoken to them. While I congratule ALL the people who received awards last night, many
of whom were my idols, its all the little people that I take my hat off too and pass along a heartfelt word of
gratitude for their endurance, because without you people we wouldn't have had Friday night football down
in Cairo Georgia....the trading post in Dublin.....coverage of that 4th of July parade in Commerce. I think these men and women know who they are, probably most now in other occupations, but without their effort over the years, Georgia Broadcasting wouldn't be what it is today! THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS!
These people were the BACKBONE of Georgia Broadcasting yet they'll never get as much as a pat on the back or "job well done" spoken to them. While I congratule ALL the people who received awards last night, many
of whom were my idols, its all the little people that I take my hat off too and pass along a heartfelt word of
gratitude for their endurance, because without you people we wouldn't have had Friday night football down
in Cairo Georgia....the trading post in Dublin.....coverage of that 4th of July parade in Commerce. I think these men and women know who they are, probably most now in other occupations, but without their effort over the years, Georgia Broadcasting wouldn't be what it is today! THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS!
amitherightcaller said:Gerogia Radio Hall of Fame Awards - the thing that I find disturbing regarding these type of events are all the countless radio people who won't get their few minutes in the spotlight. The men/women who worked the overnight shifts - the weekends - the holidays - vacation/sick relief - those who worked the Sunday morning religious blocks - those who who did "on-air/engineering/sales/janitorial work" at the many small daytimers scattered across Georgia, keeping the overhead down so their operations could keep a signal on the air.
These people were the BACKBONE of Georgia Broadcasting yet they'll never get as much as a pat on the back or "job well done" spoken to them. While I congratule ALL the people who received awards last night, many
of whom were my idols, its all the little people that I take my hat off too and pass along a heartfelt word of
gratitude for their endurance, because without you people we wouldn't have had Friday night football down
in Cairo Georgia....the trading post in Dublin.....coverage of that 4th of July parade in Commerce. I think these men and women know who they are, probably most now in other occupations, but without their effort over the years, Georgia Broadcasting wouldn't be what it is today! THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS!
That was sweet but this event wasn't about the ones who weren't good enough. This about the GREAT ones. Yes, those people are important but so were the many that played along side of Mantle, Ruth, and countless others. Lets don't diminish the accomplishments of these great broadcasters. There are MANY talented people but only few can say they are in the Hall of fame.
amitherightcaller said:The men/women who worked the overnight shifts - the weekends - the holidays - vacation/sick relief - those who worked the Sunday morning religious blocks - those who who did "on-air/engineering/sales/janitorial work" at the many small daytimers scattered across Georgia, keeping the overhead down so their operations could keep a signal on the air.
These people were the BACKBONE of Georgia Broadcasting yet they'll never get as much as a pat on the back or "job well done" spoken to them.
Ummmmmm...and that's where most of the people who were honored last night started. The difference between last night's honorees and the "unsung heroes" discussed above is that some persevered/had more talent/had more ambition, while the "unsung heroes" were happy to just have a job, but they didn't have a vision. Congrats to all the honorees...and if radio still has any positions like the ones described by Amitherightcaller, then here's hoping that the cream of the current crop will be recognized someday, too!
G
gravelgertie
Guest
A dozen inducted into the hall of fame, half of whom were QXI employees, and all from Atlanta!
I posted some pictures and more info about the dinner at
http://www.accessatlanta.com/blogs/...iotalk/entries/2007/09/23/923_radio_hall.html
http://www.accessatlanta.com/blogs/...iotalk/entries/2007/09/23/923_radio_hall.html
Rodney, you're correct that the consensus seems to be that Jerry Blum was the inspiration for the Arthur Carlson character on WKRP. Yet I used to work on the Pfaltzgraff account when I worked at a Baltimore ad agency. Susquehanna owned Pfaltzgraff, and the people at Susquehanna claimed the Arthur Carlson character was based on former Susquehanna GM and later President, whose name really is Arthur Carlson; and is apparently quite a colorful figure.
amitherightcaller said:Gerogia Radio Hall of Fame Awards - the thing that I find disturbing regarding these type of events are all the countless radio people who won't get their few minutes in the spotlight. The men/women who worked the overnight shifts - the weekends - the holidays - vacation/sick relief - those who worked the Sunday morning religious blocks - those who who did "on-air/engineering/sales/janitorial work" at the many small daytimers scattered across Georgia, keeping the overhead down so their operations could keep a signal on the air.
These people were the BACKBONE of Georgia Broadcasting yet they'll never get as much as a pat on the back or "job well done" spoken to them. While I congratule ALL the people who received awards last night, many
of whom were my idols, its all the little people that I take my hat off too and pass along a heartfelt word of
gratitude for their endurance, because without you people we wouldn't have had Friday night football down
in Cairo Georgia....the trading post in Dublin.....coverage of that 4th of July parade in Commerce. I think these men and women know who they are, probably most now in other occupations, but without their effort over the years, Georgia Broadcasting wouldn't be what it is today! THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS!
Speaking as one of the nameless daytimers, I like to think I was honored by a paycheck, thanks to people like those that were inducted.
Within every station that mattered were people who cared deeply and at times strains of jealousy exist because "the morning guy" got all the glory. Frequent comments on this board are always talking about changes stations are making trying to find success. What we saw honored were stations and people who had their act together and their game plan right on. Z93 in the top 40 days had legendary status and ratings and focusing on their legacy next year should have some high light moments.
Behind each person that was voted in was someone on a station that had all day success we should point out. Atlanta has had stations led by nationally watched programmers and managers who created and supported a product the d-js could slide in and make better with their talent. I loved Gary McKee but note the brillant consistant image building of that station helped him succeed in a way he couldn't at the changed Z93 and B98.
No one person can carry a station. And no one person should win without us remembering owners and programmers with a clue created the magic. Years ago we would never have had running posts about a station adjusting its playlist still trying to get a 2 share. The event had some reflection: is the business creating stations this good and people this big to an audience like it used to. There are bright spots certainly but some of the prestige is slightly exaggerated in the minds of some who never experience listening to radio in these decades. Maybe they will be inspired.
Behind each person that was voted in was someone on a station that had all day success we should point out. Atlanta has had stations led by nationally watched programmers and managers who created and supported a product the d-js could slide in and make better with their talent. I loved Gary McKee but note the brillant consistant image building of that station helped him succeed in a way he couldn't at the changed Z93 and B98.
No one person can carry a station. And no one person should win without us remembering owners and programmers with a clue created the magic. Years ago we would never have had running posts about a station adjusting its playlist still trying to get a 2 share. The event had some reflection: is the business creating stations this good and people this big to an audience like it used to. There are bright spots certainly but some of the prestige is slightly exaggerated in the minds of some who never experience listening to radio in these decades. Maybe they will be inspired.
K
knozall
Guest
Friends, who were in attendance, told me that the event was fabulous. They said the multi-media, alone, was worth the price of admission. Hope they will have pictures and a DVD available.
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