Honsberger Dead

Pittsburgh radio and television broadcasting legend Fred Honsberger passed away due to complications of various ailments. He was 58 years old.

Honsberger was the established conservative voice in the city of Pittsburgh broadcasting on KDKA during late afternoons. He would also be the first local radio broadcaster celebrity to venture out into television suplimenting his radio broadcasts with a TV show on PCNC called "Fred Honsberger Live!"

He also got his start in State College, PA broadcasting at WRSC-AM as well as being in Harrisburg's WKBO-AM.

Paul Harvey's "Rest Of the Story" Reaches Final Chapter

For just about everyone who has ever worked and studied radio broadcasting knows the tremendous legacy of Paul Harvey. Paul began working in radio in high school 1933, but he continued in 1944 after the War a time when America really needed a beacon of hope. Now, because of that tenure, Paul leaves the airwaves permanently taking with it a folksy style that American broadcasting may never ever get back.

In my own radio career, Paul was a featured broadcaster during my tenure at WRSC AM and WBLF AM in State College. His broadcasts started at 11:30 AM at that time, leaving few options to fill in the 11 AM first half hour. We then continued the evening with Paul's classic "Rest of the Story" monologue at 5:20 PM before we started the local sports talk shows. One day, I was working as the producer and a technical glitch caused the cutting of the end of the Paul Harvey story broadcast. I got so many calls asking me what had happened. I missed the end of it too and had no answer for the big pay off closing line. So, I know how much Paul's broadcasts can mean to a community.

He was elected to the National Association of Broadcasters Radio Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 from President George W. Bush

In my opinion, listeners to radio today see a vast competition to get people's attention with a perpetual decline in standards. "Shock-Jocking" works to a degree, but at what cost? Paul Harvey, while he was broadcasting, was living proof that broadcasters didn't have to be controversial.

I would hope that production directors everywhere would tribute this great American by playing a minute of "white noise" as an alternative instead of going silent.

Canadian Communications Pioneer Dies

I like to listen to the Toronto media through streaming Internet audio quite often. One name that stands out frequently is Ted Rogers of Rogers Communications. He is known throughout Ontario and Canada for having an empire of broadcasting and sports ownership. Remember the Skydome? In 2003, he bought the naming rights to make it the Rogers Center.

Ted passed away in his Toronto home today reportedly surrounded by his family. An official statement was made by the company to say

It is with great sadness that the Board of Directors of Rogers Communications Inc. announces the death of our colleague, leader and friend, Edward Samuel "Ted" Rogers, the founder of the company, a visionary communications industry pioneer and an icon in Canadian business.

I would like to agree with that. I feel a little bit of loss by the news, but having not known the man personally.

Myron Cope Dies and Pittsburgh Mourns a Legend

The really old guard of radio broadcasting has tragically died. Myron Cope, the long time radio, TV, and print journalist in Pittsburgh succumbed to illnesses, but his legendary style will live on forever.

Fond memories were already begun to be recorded by everyone who knew or came in contact with Myron. His sports legacy will never be surpassed by anyone today. Myron's style changed broadcasting as he discovered how to entertain his audience as well as inform them.\Myron Cope affected sports fandom by first perfecting the balance between "broadcasting homer" and "broadcasting legend". He openly led the cheers with his pattented yellow "Terrible Towel". His personality was blended on a palette of quirky humor and ethnic pop culture. When Myron got out of control, he invented words and sounds to fill in his thoughts so he didn't create dead air.

Perhaps today, up in Heaven, Myron Cope is commentating on a big game with Howard Cosell.

In Memoriam: RKZ (1933-2007)

This week, I lost a hero, a teacher, a mentor, and a friend.

Mr. Zimmerman was a good man. I can't think of any basic way to say it. He was a radio mentor who taught me everything I know about the radio business. He loved his students at Penn State and respected his employees. He encouraged a true work ethic in his students and was able to reach young minds with energetic anecdotes. I will always remember his personality that commanded respect and to his rivals it was formidable intimidation.

He had a long list of broadcasting success stories ranging from radio station ownership, College of Communications Alumni Society Board, founder and co-chairman of the college's Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic, and secured a home for the Pennsylvania Broadcasting Hall of Fame at State College, PA.

My only regret is that he was not able to live long enough to be proud of me and see me ascend to broadcasting success.

On a visit to PSU last December, I had a chance meeting with him outside the new State Theatre on College Ave and told him how much he meant to me. Little did I know, that will be the last time I will ever see him.

The radio broadcasting world is all the poorer for his passing. My sincerest condolences to the family.

[Via: Vineyard Gazette]

Radio Talk Show Host's Wife Dies Suddenly

Art Bell, mostly known for his unique programming on the late night supernatural and conspiracy theory, suddenly lost his wife to an asthma attack.

No word as to who is responsible, the NSA, FCC, FBI, Extra-terrestrials or some other shadow gov't.

In all seriousness... my deepest condolences go out to the Bell family for their tragic and sudden loss.


[Via: Radio and Records]