weekly July 17, 2023, Issue 867
Recap: I’m In The Hall, Bitches!
“The music business comes from radio, and don’t ever forget how important you on-air radio personalities are,” emphasized Artist Achievement Award honoree Barbara Mandrell during last week’s (7/10) Country Radio Hall Of Fame Induction And Dinner in Nashville. “This means so much to me because I hold you at the top of the mountain in such high esteem.” Mandrell and President’s Award recipients Scott and Julie De Vos were celebrated alongside inductees “Dollar Bill” Lawson, Pam Green, the late Wade Jessen, Charlie Morgan, John Willyard and Trish Biondo. Surprise guest Garth Brooks described the collected honorees and attendees as having “more knowledge about country music than if you put anybody together in any room.” Willyard and Green’s inductions marked the first time a voiceover talent and off-air MD, respectively, were taught the mysterious secret handshake discussed by members in a video package. Of the former, WXBQ/Johnson City, TN PD Nikki Thomas said, “He’s not just a voiceover guy, he takes words and brings life to them. He’s a part of your radio station, a part of your team, the 12th man.” Similarly, CRHoFamer Ed Salamon stressed the importance of music directors like Green to the success of a station. “We’ve all heard the saying, ‘Find a job you enjoy doing, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life,’” said Green. “I found mine and it’s been the ride of a lifetime.” Called “the greatest storyteller of all time” by Summit’s Tom Hanrahan, Lawson proved the point with speech that never once matched what was scrolling on the teleprompter. At times sentimental — his dad finally telling him he wasn’t a disappointment for choosing radio over dentistry – and at others hilarious — being knocked out twice while on the air — the candor and magnetism that led Lawson to the HoF was on full display … much like his whole ass was when paramedics found him (for the second time) unconscious after 45 minutes of dead air. (continued on page 6)
Big, Pig Plans: Red Street’s Chris Lane at Chicago’s Windy City Smokeout. Pictured (back, l-r) are WUSN’s Melissa McGurren, Lane and WUSN’s Austin Huff and Marci Braun; (front) the label’s Emily Bermann.
Remembering Jerry Bradley
One of three family members in the Country Music Hall of Fame, Jerry Bradley was a singular force in championing the genre and having a good time doing it. Colleagues and friends share their tales below. Fellow Hall of Famer Joe Galante: He was quite the prankster. I’d be driving – him in the passenger seat – on Interstate 65 coming up from Cool Springs and, in that winding part of the highway, he’d reach up and put his foot on the steering wheel. He’d lean back and I’m shitting my pants trying to steer the car He drove a big, silver Cadillac El Dorado and there were times you’d see him driving where he’d lay down. You couldn’t figure out where he was. Jerry Bradley
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