Lon Helton To Receive the 2020 CRB Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award

Lon Helton

COUNTRY RADIO BROADCASTERS (CRB) has selected COUNTRY AIRCHECK CEO and WESTWOOD ONE’s syndicated “Country Countdown USA” host LON HELTON to receive the TOM RIVERS Humanitarian Award at COUNTRY RADIO SEMINAR (CRS) on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2020. The award, chosen by the CRB Board Of Directors, recognizes an individual in the Country radio industry who has given back to their community. HELTON is one of the founders and advocates of the Country radiothon program, "Country Cares For St. Jude Kids," which has raised almost $1 billion for ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL.

CRB/CRS Executive Dir. RJ CURTIS said, "The CRB Board Of Directors has made a terrific choice in selecting LON HELTON as our TOM RIVERS Humanitarian Award recipient. LON's work in helping to establish, and then advance the ST. JUDE Country Cares radiothon program stands alone, but there are many other, quieter efforts he’s championed as well. Recognizing unselfish, unheralded examples of benevolence is the original spirit of this award, and a fitting tribute to the character of [the late Country broadcaster] TOM RIVERS.”

HELTON added, “I’m fortunate to have been entrusted with a very large megaphone for the last 36 years. Whether at RADIO & RECORDS, COUNTRY AIRCHECK or ‘Country Countdown USA,’ it has been a privilege to champion and chronicle the charitable efforts of Country radio, NASHVILLE labels and Country artists. It is immensely gratifying to be even a tiny part of ‘Country Cares For St. Jude Kids,’ which began as RANDY OWEN's challenge to Country radio at CRS 1989, and is now closing in on $1 billion in donations. It is an honor and privilege to serve on industry boards that do so much for so many. Receiving this award is especially humbling, because it is named after [my] longtime friend TOM RIVERS, who set such a high bar for public service.”

Find more information on CRS here.

« see more Net News