RHODE ISLAND RADIO LEGENDS HONORED
RI Radio Hall Of Fame,
presented by Navigant Credit Union, announces inaugural class
Warwick, RI – Radio is back in Rhode Island.
Not that
it ever left. But an industry that began in the Ocean State in 1922 has had its share of notable
broadcasters leave an indelible mark on the local landscape over time, and in the lives of Rhode Islanders everywhere. Thus, the Rhode Island Radio Hall of Fame
has been established as an idea among local radio professionals with a goal to celebrate the storied history of the industry
in Rhode Island, and honor the men and women who have played
a part in its growth.
The RIRHOF
Board of Directors is pleased to announce the inaugural induction Class of 2008:
Walter “Salty” Brine – legendary
morning-drive personality from 1942-1993 on WPRO; inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame in 1979; Galilee State Beach
re-named “Salty Brine
State Beach” in 1990
Listen
- "No School, Foster-Gloucester!"
Sherm Strickhouser – originally a radio “disc-jockey”
and booth announcer in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s, Sherm would become the “dean” of Rhode Island
talk radio; his career included stints at WBRU, WJAR, WICE, WHJJ, WPRO
Charlie Jefferds – in his 16th year
as afternoon-drive personality on Lite Rock 105 (WWLI-FM); more than five decades in radio including stops at WHIM, WICE,
WPRO, WJAR as well as stints in Philly and New York City
Paul Fuller & Al Matthews – outrageous and
funny morning-drive duo on 94 WHJY-FM for the past 18 years; their ratings dominance includes ranking #1 in adults age 25-54
during a stretch of 36 out of 40 books
Chris Clark – RI sportscaster whose career spanned
four decades; the original “Voice of the Providence Friars,” credited with the first radio play-by-play broadcasts
of PC basketball in 1959; WPRO-AM/TV, WJAR-AM/TV
Arlene Violet – the one-time Roman Catholic
nun and Rhode Island Attorney General enjoyed a 17-year stint as afternoon
drive talk show host on WHJJ; named “best talk show host” by the Readers Poll of RI Monthly for 16 straight years
Gene DeGraide – popular “disc-jockey”
and host whose Rhode Island radio career spanned five decades--1947-1983--at WWON, WJAR and WKRI; Gentleman Gene also hosted
several TV shows on Channels 10 and 12
Chuck Stevens – pioneer “disc-jockey”
and popular personality on radio stations WRIB, WICE, WPAW, WXTR, and WGNG during the “rock ‘n roll” era
of the ‘50’s and ‘60’s; also spent time in sales and promotions during a four-decade career
The official
induction banquet for the Class of 2008 took place at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet in Cranston
on Thursday, May 22nd, 2008 at 7:00 pm. All proceeds from the event
benefit the children of A Wish Come True, Rhode Island’s oldest wish granting organization.
As an added
attraction to the Rhode Island Radio Hall of Fame, local radio fans are encouraged to participate as Associate Members, by contributing a one-time fee of $25. For their
donation, associate members will earn the right to nominate local radio industry professionals for future consideration in
the Hall of Fame, receive a discount on induction ceremony dinner tickets, and receive a certificate of membership. The $25 lifetime membership fee is tax deductible, and should be made payable to A Wish Come True, Inc.
As a work-in-progress,
the website already features information on the formation of the Hall, links to Rhode
Island radio stations and websites, and will continue to feature photos and audio clips from the inductees,
memorabilia and more! Everyone is encouraged to interact and contribute
to the Hall website!
