In 2002, radio broadcaster, Larry Shannon, and sixteen others who had built remarkable careers for themselves in Texas radio, established the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. On the recommendation of famous DJ Chuck Dunaway of the Gordon McLendon days, I got Premier Member status in 2005, as number 96.
What is usually unknown by the public is how insecure a radio career is, and in general how poorly the on-air personalities are paid. Oft times, for an example, a newsman or DJ goes to work only to find out that it will be his last day. He's fired! The reason? "Just because."
He quickly has to find a new job at a new station, and usually that requires that he and his family move to another city, frequently many miles away.
I began as a radio personality at 14, and I worked in radio, later TV, as an avocation for the next 50 years. And although I loved it, I never had the intestinal fortitude to depend on it for my livelihood. I have a strong need for stability.
There are many more like me out there.
<<---- Bill Cherry, 2006
So the real reason behind the Texas Radio Hall of Fame is that it is a method to celebrate the miracle of those who had the strength of character and conviction to make radio broadcasting their career and by gosh, they survived!
We've just completed voting to pick those who will be the 2010 inductees. Larry told me that about 1,000 casted votes this year.
Of special note is that two of the inductees, Marty Ambrose and Paul Williams, passed away this year. We are especially proud they were elected.
Another friend who will be inducted is true legend, Bud Buschardt (ABC Radio). I've written about Bud and his incredible record collection in another blog post.
Three that I was pulling for -- Bill "Rascal" McCaskill (KREL), Vandy Anderson (KGBC), and Walter Hammock (KQUE) -- didn't make it. But then there's always next year.
So with that prologue, here's this year's "Chosen Few":
Marty Ambrose (KEYH/KLOL/KUHF - Houston)
Brad Barton (KRLD/WBAP - Dallas-Fort Worth)
Rolando Becerra (KLAT/KEYH/KXYZ - Houston)
Tony Bridge (KMHT/KHER/KLUE - Dallas-Fort Worth)
Bud Buschardt (WFAA/KVIL - Dallas-Fort Worth)
Maurice "Crash" Collins (KLOL/KZFX - Houston)
Don Couser (KONO/KDOK/WOAI - San Antonio)
Don "Skinny" Green (George Bason) (KONO - San Antonio)
Jack Hines (Heinritz) (KNUS/KRLD - Dallas-Fort Worth)
Scott Hodges (KLIF/WBAP/KTSA - San Antonio - Dallas-Fort Worth)
Bill Kiley (KONO - San Antonio)
Joe Ladd (KIKK - Houston)
Mary McCoy (KVST/KMCO/KIKR - Houston)
Bill Moffett (KLOL/ KXYZ/KFMK - Houston)
Dayna Steele (KLOL - Houston)
Jim White (KRLD/KNUS - Dallas-Fort Worth)
Paul Williams (KGKB/KNUZ/KDOK - Houston)
Congratulations to all!
BILL CHERRY, REALTORS
DALLAS - PARK CITIES
Our 45th Year
214 503-8563
It is funny to me in an odd way that you choose real estate because radio was not a business you could find security. There are many agents who feel that about real estate. Thank you for sharing your loves and passions. Good people doing good work should always be recognized. Thank you.
Larry, I would have stayed in radio had I been able to own a station in a profitable market. Of course that took at least a million bucks 40 years ago.
While I don't know where it all went, I made a fortune in real estate, and I primed that pump by doing promotions for my company by using radio. The secret of real estate, as you know, is to live on a conservative budget, even when the money is flying in the door.
Thanks for your comments.