Mass. Broadcasters Hall of Fame To Honor Laquidara, Rooney, Maynard, Cusick & many others Sept 16

BOSTON, MA — The Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame will proudly present a Gala Awards Ceremony and Luncheon hosted by WBZ 1030’s Jordan Rich, inducting twenty of Massachusetts’ most popular and respected radio and television broadcasters into the Hall of Fame on Wednesday, September 16 at 12:00 p.m. at the Dedham Hilton [25 Allied Drive, Dedham, MA; exit 14 off Route 95/128]. Tickets at $40.00 each go on sale TODAY, August 13 by calling:  617-969-5678 or 617-763-0109. Tickets may also be purchased on line at the MBHOF new website: www.massbroadcastershof.org or a check for the full amount of tickets can be mailed to Mass. Broadcasters Hall of Fame, ℅ Joan Greenberg, 20 Truman Road, Newton Centre, MA 02459. All tickets will be held at will call immediately before the event. For more information, call:  617-969-5678 or 617-763-0109.

This year’s event honorees include: The Voice of Boston Bruins Hockey, Fred Cusick; TV pioneer, host, interviewer and innovator Bill Hahn; the nation’s first nightly news cultural reporter and women’s movement trailblazer Sonya Hamlin; one of the most respected and distinguished television news journalists in New England, John Henning; legendary rock radio deejay and activist Charles Laquidara; prominent public affairs director, news director and host Don Latulippe; 48-year WBZ personality Dave Maynard; radio manager and multi-station CEO Allan Roberts; host, newswoman and executive editor of WGBH TV’s Greater Boston, Emily Rooney; esteemed radio voice of the New England Patriots and morning sports anchor on WBZ radio Gil Santos; renowned broadcast consultant and radio station owner Al Tanger and revered classical, jazz and elevator music host Len Zola.

Deceased honorees will legendary sportscasters Don Gillis and Curt Gowdy, TV personality Connie Jameson, WBZ-TV's first news anchor, respected newsman Arch MacDonald, the hilarious Major Mudd Show host Ed McDonnell [Major Mudd], radio personality, Boston Herald columnist and socialite Marjorie Mills, one of the great personalties of Boston radio for more than 50 years, Norm Nathan, and former General Manager and Executive Vice President of radio station WHDH AM William [Bill] McGrath.

In addition, a Special Recognition Award will be given to Al Sprague in honor of his long service as President of the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association.

“Massachusetts has a long and distinguished history in the development of electronic communication,” said Arthur J. Singer, President of the Hall of Fame. Through these annual inductions, the permanent exhibit at Massasoit Community College in Brockton, our archives and an active website now being launched with this announcement, the work of the people who have provided all of us with so much information and entertainment will be honored and made available to the public.”

Please note that this event is being held in Dedham at the Dedham Hilton Hotel. Massasoit Community College is the location of the permanent Mass. Broadcasters Hall of Fame exhibit.

Sixteen broadcasting legends inducted into hall of fame

Sixteen of Massachusetts’ most popular and respected radio and television broadcasters were recently inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame at an awards luncheon at the Dedham Hilton on September 24th. A total of 220 awardees, family members, and broadcasting professionals were on hand for the event including inductees Jack Hynes, newscaster; Arnie Ginsburg, pioneering rock and roll DJ; longtime WBZ overnight announcer Larry Glick; TV reporter Shelby Scott; station executive and former head of the National Association of Broadcasting Donald Thurston; news reporter and community leader Sarah-Ann Shaw; and sports anchor Bob Lobel. Family members accepted awards for journalist and media critic Bill Buchanan and station owner and philanthropist Norman Knight. 

The event also honored seven deceased broadcasters: the Yankee Network's Louise Morgan; WBZ morning show host Carl DeSuze; WHDH DJ and host of "Boston Ballroom" Bob Clayton; DJ and film executive Norm Prescott; and talk radio legends Jerry Williams and David Brudnoy.

Event highlights included a prolonged standing ovation for the mother and brother of the late top-40 announcer Sunny Joe White, both of whom traveled from North Carolina to accept the award, a memorable acceptance speech by long-time executive Don Thurston, and a hilarious one from Larry Glick up from Florida to celebrate his induction. WBZ’s Jordan Rich was master of ceremonies.

”Massachusetts has a long and distinguished history in the development of electronic communication,” said Arthur J. Singer, President of the Hall of Fame. Through these annual inductions, the permanent exhibit at Massasoit Community College in Brockton, our archives, and an active website now being planned, the work of the people who have provided all of us with so much information and entertainment will be honored and made available to the public.”