Texas Radio Hall of Fame Celebrates 20 Years with 22 New Inductees

posted on 11.07.2022

- At Home with the Texas Broadcast Museum, aka “The Palace”

The Texas Radio Hall of Fame celebrated its 20th Anniversary Nov. 5 with the induction of 22 Radio broadcasters hailing from stations across the state as hundreds of admirers, colleagues, and other friends joined them at the Texas Broadcast Museum in Kilgore to celebrate their achievements.

Relishing the cool, crisp air and clear, blue sky after torrential downpours and multiple tornadoes swept through East Texas the night before, Hall of Fame Executive Director Doug Harris worked the room and tamed the crowd as folks seemed more eager to recall fond memories with friends than to step onstage for applause.

With just a little urging, though, the honorees took turns following rousing video tributes showcasing their career highlights to honor mentors and share insights gleaned from lifetimes making Radio magic and changing lives of untold numbers of listeners.

2022 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Inductees

Chuck Conrad, owner/operator of KZQX/KDOK Tyler Longview and founder of the Texas Broadcast Museum, played host as guests marveled at the exhibits of classic production gear – much of it still operating – that brought Texans the sights and sounds of some of the state’s most important events of the 20th Century.

From the “Lee Harvey Oswald” camera present at his assassination and the restored 1949 Dumont Telecruiser, to a fully functional TV news studio and one of Thomas Edison’s recording inventions, the museum – dubbed “The Palace” by Harris – houses an astonishingly expansive collection of Texas broadcast memorabilia and vintage – even antique – studio equipment.

Hall of Fame on a Roll

The organization has been celebrating its 20th anniversary all year, launching a month-long salute last February to the pioneers of Black Radio in Texas.

Airing on KTSU-FM Houston and voiced by “Famers” Johnny Goyen and Da Madd Hatta, the series of audio vignettes spotlighted ground-breaking and barrier-breaking Black broadcasters.

In the spring, TRHOF launched its inaugural scholarship program, awarding eight $1,000 scholarships to students pursuing degree plans related to broadcasting or broadcast journalism.

Harris issued an open invitation to Radio veterans to join them in ensuring the quality and integrity of broadcast communications for generations to come.

“If Radio is to be redefined, then let us be a part of that effort,” he said. “Let us seek out Radio’s future hall of famers, serving by example and offering counsel and training when appropriate.”

Questions? Contact TAB’s Oscar Rodriguez or call (512) 322-9944.

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