It was the biggest and best, Most attended and most comfortable. Held in a historic place, Tin Hall, there was no better venue to showcase legendary talent, than a legendary landmark, which has hosted concerts and special events since 1889.
About 350 were in attendance and the faces that belonged to the voices were a 'who's who' of Texas Radio royalty including Award for "best preserved personality" had to go to Dr. Bruce Nelson, who is as witty as ever, and is in better shape today than he was during his days here at KENR. Dr. Bruce is the General Manager of KFTX in Corpus Christi, and is recognized for breaking an unknown artist named John Conlee and his tune "Rose Colored Glasses." John placed 27 hits in the country top 40, including 7 number 1's. Houston made him a star.
Most touching moment came when Cathy Forsythe of KACC was inducted and honored. Her award was accepted by her children. Cathy passed away from cancer a few years ago, and contributed more than her own good work to Texas radio. Running KACC in Alvin, she built and developed that college radio program into the most recognized in the country (this is a Junior College mind you) that has produced numerous radio industry pros including Wendy Miller, Tom Fontaine, Bobby "Slam" Duncan and TV personalities that now work for KPRC, Telemundo and ESPN.
Paul Ray works on the radio in Austin-he is only the second 'public' radio personality to be inducted. He can be heard on KUT-FM hosting a show dedicated to soul and blues from the 40's through the 70's. What made me laugh the most was his story of realizing the impact that music had on everyone-be it good or bad. He recalls his older sister being punished for playing a sacrilegious and sinful b-side when she was young. Her father smashed to pieces a vinyl 45 straight from Satan's studio. It was a Christmas standard "White Christmas" recorded by The Drifters.
JP Pritchard and Lana Hughes from KTRH could have kept us entertained for hours. To see the big framed, big voiced 'gold standard' for morning news in Houston show a softer side was enough to make a few of us tear up, and her story of how she got her job at KTRH will make most of us giggle for the next few days.
Standing ovations came for Houston TV and radio star Larry Kane (who is no longer with us) KQUE's Scott Arthur and legendary rocker Colonel St. James who helped make top stations out of 97 Rock and KLOL, and has contributed to the success of KLDE, KILT and KKRW.
From the business side of things, I'd like to say that Bill Bailey is still a draw. He has not been on the radio for some time, but his involvement with the Houston rodeo, and his work as a Harris County Constable has done much to keep him in the public eye. On the day he should have taken center stage, and soaked in every bit of the spotlight he deserved for his good work, he shared the stage with two compadres from his days at KIKK, which proved to be tasteful and quite classy. * I will point out, this is the only time I have used those terms to describe him, Joe and Arch!
As for the music heard on radio then and today, there were numerous people in attendance who spun the platters from unknowns who would became giants. B.J. Thomas, ZZ Top and Kenny Rogers were called "Houston Crud" but they became rock, pop and country music legends -they owe Texas (and primarily Houston) deejays for taking a chance on them.
Behind the scenes you might never know the name Tom Merriman. But the short songs you hear in between the records you all know, and have sung along with since the 50's. His "TM Productions" recorded more snappy and snazzy jingles for more Texas radio stations than any other. He is also credited for creating sixty second sing alongs we all grew up with for Nestle and others, and was also the man credited for creating "Otto the Orkin Man" bringing prestige and personality to pest control.
Scott Arthur was the first person to receive an award at the ceremony, and he set the tone for not only radio's past, but it's future. After 40 years he knows the formula: "personality, creativity, freedom and fun" -that is what works, that is what wins.
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2009 inductees for the Texas Radio Hall of Fame
