The Country Radio Hall Of Fame Inducts Class Of 2017

CRHOF's "Class Of 2017"

The COUNTRY RADIO HALL OF FAME (CRHOF) held its induction ceremony last NIGHT (6/21) at the VANDERBILT MARRIOTT in NASHVILLE, where former WUBE/CINCINNATI PD TIM CLOSSON; OCHS MEDIA and BEASLEY MEDIA/TAMPA's CHARLIE OCHS; and BUCK OWENS PRODUCTION COMPANY President/Owner MEL OWENS were inducted in the Radio category and the late JOE WADE FORMICOLA; the late WYCD/DETROIT afternoon host LINDA LEE; WRNS/GREENVILLE, NC personality JIM MANTEL; and BRIAN GARY, TODD HARDING, and SUSAN MOORE KUAD/FT. COLLINS, CO morning team "THE GOOD MORNING GUYS" were inducted in the On-Air category for 2017 (NET NEWS 2/22). Additionally, COUNTRY RADIO SEMINAR (CRS) presented MARTINA MCBRIDE with its 2017 Artist Career Achievement Award and UMG NASHVILLE Chairman/CEO MIKE DUNGAN with the President's Award (NET NEWS 5/19). 

CRB Board with President's Award recipient MIKE DUNGAN shared his passion for the CRB and CRS, stating, that "CRS is the single greatest thing that all of us have going for us." Former SONY MUSIC NASHVILLE Chairman JOE GALANTE presented Artist Career Achievement Award winner MARTINA MCBRIDE, acknowledging her as "one of the greatest female voices of all time," followed by a video montage of MCBRIDE's many career accomplishments. MCBRIDE touched upon the importance of authenticity throughout her career, and the willingness of GALANTE and others at SONY to allow her to take chances and use her voice as an advocate for causes and music in which she believed strongly. As for her relationship with radio, MCBRIDE acknowledged that it never came easy for her. "You didn't always make it easy," said MCBRIDE. "But you made me strong. This is an unexpected but amazing honor, and I want to thank Country radio."

The night's first inductee, TIM CLOSSON touched upon each of his career stops and highlights, with the common theme of how Country band ALABAMA played in to his journey. CLOSSON shared sentiments about each of his stops, stating, "I truly landed with a dream team every step of the way."  

Former WWW/DETROIT PD BARRY MARDIT honored the recently-deceased JOE WADE FORMICOLA, sharing stories of FORMICOLA's legendary run in DETROIT. "If you knew JOE, you had a friend in FORMICOLA," shared MARDIT. FORMICOLA's son, JOSEPH, accepted his father's plaque, sharing his memories of his father as a local celebrity. "He wasn't ELVIS," said FORMICOLA, "but he wasn't my friends' parents, either."

MEL OWENS discussed how much BUCK OWENS and sister DOROTHY aided his career, saying, "I'm very humbled, and I thank you very much for this honor. I love Country music, and GOD bless Country radio!"

JIM MANTEL's daughter, LIZ, expressed the goodness of her father's heart before handing over the stage. MANTEL then explained how his father used to tell him he needed to watch his mouth when he were younger, and concluded his speech with, "If only he lived to see what this mouth has accomplished."

CRHOF "CLASS OF 2016" member, and CBS RADIO VP/Country TIM ROBERTS honored the late LINDA LEE, explaining that although LEE was competitive with radio, she was "a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day." KID ROCK made a surorise appearance to induct LEE, saying, "I know she said she was a fan of me, but I'm a fan of hers." LEE's daughter chimed in as well, telling the audience she is certain that her mother is looking down, beaming with pride and joy.

CHARLIE OCHS thanked his loved ones, described his favorite memories, and the beauty of radio. "I love radio - always have," OCHS stated. "Radio paints pictures, and Country music radio paints masterpieces." OCHS topped his speech off by quoting lyrics of TIM MCGRAW's "Live Like You Were Dying" and GARTH BROOKS' "The Dance."

To close the night, BRIAN GARY, TODD HARDING, and SUSAN MOORE of KUAD/FT. COLLINS' "THE GOOD MORNING GUYS." took the stage, with MOORE speaking first. "I'm enjoying every moment of this. It's the thrill of my life to be here TONIGHT. Radio has more than exceeded every dream I've ever had." Finally, GARY took the mic, ending the evening with spirited, inspirational comments about remaining positive, changing the world, and emphasizing how important the team's listeners are to each of the co-hosts.

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