Inductees – Radio
Bob Ausfeld
Bob graduated from Bishop Gibbons in 1967 and continued his education at Hudson Valley Community College and St. Rose. Bob was also a member of the National Guard for seven years. At the age of 23, Bob began his illustrious radio career at WPTR-1540. Through the next 41 years, Bob Ausfeld was a staple in Read more
Ernie Anastos
Ernie Anastos (born July 12, 1943) is a veteran New York City television news anchor. He has worked for several television stations in New York City over his twenty-five-year career. He served as an anchor at WABC-TV from 1978 to 1989, when he joined WCBS-TV as the 5 and 11PM anchor. He worked at WCBS-TV Read more
Al Anscombe
Al Anscombe has more than 50 years experience as a groundbreaking pioneer in the radio, television and cable industry. He became Vice President and Station Manager of WKBW Radio and in the late 50′s transformed it into one of America’s great rock and roll stations. In 1959 Mr. Anscombe put WKBW-TV on the air. In Read more
Martin F. Beck
As a boy Marty Beck “fell in love with the media” and was a partner in Beck-Ross Communications which owned several radio stations. His first station, WGLI, became the first rock station in Long Island and “the rest was history” as Marty likes to say. Marty was President of the New York State Broadcasters Association Read more
Bob Bruno
Bob Bruno began his broadcasting career as an on-air personality in 1965 working at several suburban stations including WCMC in Wildwood, NJ and WKIP in Poughkeepsie, NY. In 1966 he moved to WVIP, Mount Kisco, NY where, in addition to his on air work, he assumed the position of Program Director. Bob joined WNEW AM, Read more
Richard D. Buckley
Rick Buckley’s career in broadcasting began in 1960 as a Page at the National Broadcasting Company. In the 50 plus years since, Buckley has guided the company that bears his name and serves as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Buckley Radio is one of America’s remaining privately owned and operated radio companies. Buckley’s portfolio Read more
Mark Chernoff
Mark Chernoff is a legendary radio executive in New York sports radio. He has helped guide WFAN in New York City for nearly 30 years. His passion for radio is unsurpassed. While known for his sports programming, Mark started his career at music stations Read more
Frankie Crocker
Frankie Crocker “the Chief Rocker” was one of the greatest personality D.J.’s who helped to break stereotypes throughout the radio broadcasting industry. His artistic vision made a deep mark in the world of radio. Crocker¹s genius as Program Director at WBLS-FM and WLIB-AM in the early 70′s, led him to shape an innovative and influential Read more
Chuck Custer
News Director and Morning Show Host – WGY Radio, Albany – Capital Region Listeners have tuned in to Chuck Custer for more than 36 years. Now retired, the Western Massachusetts native was a legendary broadcaster on News Radio 810 & 103.1 WGY. He was the co-host of the top-rated morning show with Kelly Lynch beginning in 2011. Before that, he served as a morning News Anchor and the on-air partner for 25 Read more
James J. Delmonico
Jim Delmonico joined General Electric because he “loved automobiles” but quickly moved to become a part of the company’s radio and television expansion. He was elected Vice President of both GE Broadcasting and GE Cablevision Corporation and transferred to Schenectady where, in 1974, took on the added responsibility of being the Vice President and General Read more
Boomer Esaison
The former NFL star has “Quarterbacked” WFAN’s morning show for 12 years. He is currently the co-host of “Boomer and Gio.” After his outstanding football career, he served as a color commentator for ABC Monday Night Football. He was Westwood One’s lead analyst for its football broadcasts for eighteen years and set an industry record for broadcasting 19 consecutive Super Bowls. Read more
Funk Flex
Funk Flex is Hip Hop’s most prominent trendsetter. His name is knownaround the world and for well over a decade he has reigned as America’s number one Hip Hop personality. He reaches nearly three million listeners weekly. In addition to radio, Flex has been dubbed the “evangelist of Hip Hop car culture” by the New York Times. Read More
The Gamblings: John B., John A., John R.
Who hasn’t heard of “Rambling with Gambling”? The Gambling’s have been radio’s longest dynasty spanning three generations of radio personalities. Since 1925 the voice of a Gambling has been on the air in New York bringing news, information and more in the early morning. John B.Gambling began the legacy at WOR-AM with his program Read more
Mimi Griswold
Once an avid Red Sox fan, this Boston native found her broadcasting home in “Yankee” country. After graduating from Syracuse University in 1979, she began her career with the Cortland Standard, a newspaper in Cortland, New York. But broadcasting was her goal and Mimi began her 35-year broadcast career in 1985, in sales and promotion and as program director for Read more
Joan Hamburg
New York Radio’s “First Lady” has been a legendary personality on WOR-710 AM since the early 1970s. The Long Island native began her radio career broadcasting consumer segments on the long-running “Rambling with Gambling” morning show. She eventually earned her own show. Today, her show covers Read more
Craig Stevens Harris
Craig’s career defines small-market radio. His commitment to the local communities that WCDO serves is a true testament to the way radio was meant to be. Originally from Nyack, NY, Craig began his radio journey Read more
Harry Harrison
Harrison is one of the most popular American radio personalities of the past 50 years. Born and raised in Chicago, he got his start in radio at the age of 14 after being confined to his bed for a year with rheumatic fever. Read more
Don Imus
Don Imus is the acerbic, witty and controversial host of “Imus in the Morning” on WFAN all-sports radio which began being simulcast on cable television’s MSNBC in 1996. He started his career when he was 28 at a small radio station in Palmdale, California. In 1971 Imus moved to WNBC in New York City where Read more
Hal Jackson
Who is Hal Jackson? Mr. Jackson is a popular radio and television personality and one of the most respected men in the communications industry. As a radio pioneer, Jackson has experienced many “firsts” that have assisted in opening doors for other aspiring Black broadcasters, musicians and performers. What has Hal Jackson accomplished in his 64 Read more
Tom Jolls – “The Commander”
When you think of Tom Jolls, many names come to mind, weatherman, “Commander Tom,” “The Commander” and Tom. Tom is an institution in Western New York, starting his career in 1951 in Lockport at WUSJ, then to WBEN radio and TV. He made the move to WKBW in 1965 where he became part of “Irv, Rick and Tom” for a 24 year run on Eyewitness News. Tom was the “weather outside” with a multitude of winter coats, the weather stick, weather guests and the weather word. Read more
John Kelly
When New York State Broadcasters Association (NYSBA) Hall of Famer Bill O’Shaughnessy first met John Kelly during their Army days nearly 50 years ago, “John had the three best jobs on the post.” O’Shaughnessy recognized something special about the man “loaded with Irish charm and goodness.” He nudged Kelly into the radio business and the Read more
Jim Kerr
Morning Host WAXQ (Q-104) FM, New York City –Mornings in New York City would not be the same without the top-rated team of Jim Kerr and Shelli Sonstein on iHeart’s WAXQ, Q104.3. Beginning 45 years ago when Shelli first walked into Jim’s studio, they have worked together to wake up the Big Apple. Jim and Shelli have been on the air longer than most marriages and longer than many of their listeners have been alive! Read more
Andrew A. Langston
Andrew Langston, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Monroe County Broadcasting Company and WDKX-FM, doesn’t know the meaning of giving up. A born optimist, Andrew spent six years working with the FCC trying to secure FM frequency 103.9 for his radio station. WDKX-FM in Rochester, New York, finally went on the air on April Read more
Ted Long
Ted and Amy in the Morning have been waking up Central New Yorkers on 93Q for 30 years. Ted Long and Amy Robbins were both born and raised in the Central New York area. Simply stated, they are an institution in Syracuse and Central New York. They have been recognized for eighteen years by the Syracuse News Times Readers Poll as Best Local Radio DJs. Read more
George “Hound Dog” Lorenz
George “Hound Dog” Lorenz was a true original and Buffalo, New York, will never be the same again. In the mid 50s he was being hailed throughout 27 states and parts of Canada as the granddaddy of rock’n roll. In 1964 he founded WBLK-FM in Buffalo, New York. Although he passed away in May of Read more
Angie Martinez
Angie Martinez’s name has become synonymous with the word New York by turning a misspent youth into being crowned “The Voice of New York.” This multi-hyphenated powerhouse proudly managed to Read More
Bob Matthews
For over 35 years, Bob Matthews has held the title of Rochester’s most popular sportswriter/commentator. Bob has also been a newspaper sports columnist and a regular contributor to the Gannett News Service, where he served as two national sports columnists. Read more
Richard McCollough
Meteorologist, WDKX-FM 10-3.9, Rochester – Rochester is known for its tough winter weather. You do not go outside without first listening to meteorologist Richard J. McCollough on number #1 rated WDKX 103.9 FM, where he broadcasts the weather for the last 20 years. A Rochester legend, McCollough has also worked at WHEC-TV 10 NBC and 13 WHAM-TV ABC. He is a true broadcast veteran. Read more
Ed McLaughlin
Edward F. McLaughlin is chairman and chief executive officer of EFM Media Management, Inc., a company that he founded in July 1987. Until April 1997, EFM Media Management produced and distributed The Rush Limbaugh Show, The Rush Limbaugh Morning Update, and the Dr. Dean Edell radio programs. Prior to forming EFM Media, Mr. McLaughlin, recognized Read more
Van Miller
Van Miller is truly a man for all seasons. His career, spanning 55 years, is one of the most remarkable and versatile in the history of radio and television broadcasting. After attending Fredonia State and Syracuse University, he began his play-by-play work in basketball and football at WFCB in Dunkirk and spent the better part Read more
Bruce Morrow
Bruce Morrow (born October 13, 1935 in Brooklyn, NY) is an American radio disc jockey, although he prefers to be called a radio personality, know to generations of New York metropolitan area listeners as Cousin Brucie. A veritable legend in broadcast history, Morrow is the only on-air personality in New York City to have a Read more
Scott Muni
Born Donald Allen Muñoz in Wichita, Kansas, Muni grew up in New Orleans. He joined the United States Marine Corps and began broadcasting there in 1950, reading “Dear John” letters over Radio Guam. After leaving the Corps and having considered acting as a career, he began working as a disc jockey; in 1955 he replaced Read more
Dan Neaverth
After high school, Dan Neaverth went to Curran Studios, a broadcasting school in Syracuse. He graduated in 1957, and his first job in radio was in Coudersport, Pa. Then he went to Dunkirk to station WDOE. While he was working in these towns, his parents would send him the Buffalo papers.”One day I read that Read more
William O’Shaughnessy
Bill O’Shaughnessy is President & CEO of Whitney Radio, parent company of Westchester’s community stations, WVOX and WRTN, major regional stations in the New York tri-state area. The National Association of Broadcasters said that “Bill O’Shaughnessy is able to articulate the hopes and goals and aspirations of broadcasters better then anyone in the country. The Read more
John A. “Jack” Palvino
A native Rochesterian, 80 years young and a member of the Pioneer Graduating class of St. John Fisher College in 1955. A trustee for the past 30 years, he is the first alumnus to be voted chairman of the board of trustees (1992-1995) following graduation he attended the University of Buffalo Law School before the Read more
Joseph A. Reilly
Joseph A. Reilly, is President and CEO of the New York State Broadcasters Association with headquarters in Albany, New York. Reilly represents the interests of more than 750 radio and television stations in the Empire State. Included among his constituency are the major New York City based radio and television networks. In his post as Read more
Amy Robbins
Ted and Amy in the Morning have been waking up Central New Yorkers on 93Q for 30 years. Ted Long and Amy Robbins were both born and raised in the Central New York area. Simply stated, they are an institution in Syracuse and Central New York. They have been recognized for eighteen years by the Syracuse News Times Readers Poll as Best Local Radio DJs. Read More
Jim Roselle
After graduating from Jamestown High School in 1944 Jim Roselle attended St. Lawrence University where he received a bachelor’s degree in business administration, while minoring in radio programming and production. It was his experience as a play-by-play broadcaster for S.L.U. football, basketball, and baseball teams that would be a springboard to a life of success. Read more
Scott Shannon
For the past 20 years, Scott has co-hosted the wildly successful “Scott & Todd in the Morning Show” with his partner Todd Pettengill on 95.5 WPLJ. Besides being the program director at WPLJ, he also runs the phenomenon known as “The True Oldies Read more
Paul Sidney
A Native New Yorker, Paul Sidney was born and raised in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn. In the shadows of the NYC radio and television world, Paul fell in love with broadcasting at an early age, a passion that continues to this day. As a child when the other kids were playing stickball, Paul was Read more
Curtis Sliwa
A highly nationally and internationally respected grass-roots leader, community activist, patriot, motivator, and “role model for real life,” Curtis Sliwa is founder and leader of The Guardian Angels and host of AM 970′s The Curtis Sliwa Show, and afternoon drive show, Curtis & the Gov. A charismatic and sought-after communicator, he has addressed Super Bowl crowds, corporate teams, media professionals, senior executives, non-profit associations, and educators. Read More
Shelli Sonstein
Morning Host WAXQ (Q-104) FM, New York City – Shelli Sonstein began her radio career at the age of 18 on WMMR in Philadelphia (50 years ago in January of 2023). After working at two Philadelphia stations, Sonstein moved to Atlanta, as an afternoon anchor and UPI award-winning reporter. Read more
R. Peter Straus
R. Peter Straus, Chairman of Straus Communications, Inc. in New York City joined his father in the family business ownership of WMCA radio in New York City. It was the station known as “the Good Guys”. He became President of the radio station which championed over-the-air editorials which were not allowed by the FCC Read more
Percy Sutton
Personal Information Born Percy Ellis Sutton on November 24, 1920, in San Antonio, TX; son of Samuel J. (a school principal) and Lillian (a teacher; maiden name, Smith) Sutton; married Leatrice O’Farrel, 1943; children: Pierre, Cheryl Lynn Education: Attended Prairie View Agricultural and Mechanical College, Tuskegee Institute, Hampton Institute, and Columbia University School of Law; Read more
E.R. “Curly” Vadeboncoeur
E.R. “Curly” Vadeboncoeur began his career as a newspaper journalist, but soon switched over to broadcasting and joined WSYR Radio in Syracuse. He became the General Manager of the radio and television enterprise. In the early 1950s he became involved in the expansion of Newhouse Broadcasting, which owned WSYR, and helped develop the Newhouse cable Read more
Paul Vandenburgh
Paul is in bed by 7:30 p.m. and in the office no later than 3:45 a.m. every day. His dedication to broadcasting and the citizens of the Capital Region is unsurpassed. The radio legend grew up in Troy and graduated from Siena College. Paul hosts the longest-running morning show host in the Capital District. Read more
Suzyn Waldman
Suzyn Waldman’s 30 year career pioneered the way for women in broadcasting. When Suzyn became part of the Baseball Hall of Fame’s “Women in Baseball” exhibit in 2006 as the first full time female color commentator in the Major Leagues, it was just another “first” for the award winning Journalist and Sports Commentator. Read more
Charles M. Warfield, Jr.
Charles M. Warfield, Jr., a 38 year broadcast veteran, is Sr. Advisor to YMF Media LLC. YMF Media acquired the former assets of ICBC Broadcast Holdings, Inc. through a bankruptcy proceeding in 2012. Mr. Warfield, the former President and COO of ICBC was retained in that position for the new company until assuming his new position in late 2013. Read more
Don Weeks
As host of the “Don Weeks And The WGY Morning News” for almost three decades, Weeks is one of the Capital Region’s most well-known and respected radio personalities. His unique sense of humor, interviewing skills and “guy next door” persona have endeared him to generations of WGY listeners and developed a loyal and devoted following Read more
Bud Wertheimer
Bud Wertheimer came into the broadcasting industry via an unconventional path. He started as an FM broadcaster at a time when FM radio was an almost unheard of media. His father, Al Wertheimer, along with Al’s partner Larry Gordon, were two of the founding members of the National Association of FM Broadcasters (NAFMB). Al and Read more
Nancy Widmann
Nancy Widmann has over twenty five years of experience in broadcasting, advertising and marketing. Ms. Widmann was President of CBS Radio from 1988 to 1996 which became the largest radio broadcasting operation in the country during her tenure. Nancy joined CBS in 1972 as an Account Executive and was named Vice President and General Manager Read more
William B. Williams
William B. Williams Born William Breitbard on 6 August 1923, in Babylon, New York, William B. Williams attended the University of Syracuse and began his radio career on WAAT-AM in Newark, New Jersey. The first job came along, as it did for many, “filling in for a deejay who had failed to show up for Read more