Inductee's Respond

Thank you so much for this honor.

As a boy growing up in Omaha, I was fascinated by KOIL and WOW radio and decided then and there I had to be a part of the excitement that was broadcasting!

I will never forget the day I was hired by Eric Foxx at WOW. It was a dream come true for me then. I got to work with Rod Meyer, David Wingert, Bruce Vidal, and Chuck Wolfe to name a few.

I had the privilege of working with an old friend, Terry Mason at KOIL in the late 80's as well while waiting for a no compete to run out before returning to Chicago. That was pure fun, and part of a goal I had to work at the "Mighty 1290".

Although the majority of my career was spent in Chicago, and programming in New England and Texas, it was my time in Omaha, doing real radio, with fans in the parking lot, remotes at Peony Park, and meeting the listener while on station softball teams that were the best memories.

Although I have left broadcasting for a real job in the world of Sports marketing, I want to thank you once again, the NEBRASKA HALL OF FAME and everyone in it has humbled me with this honor, and taken me back to my roots!

JOE DAWSON

Radio people are a special breed and no matter who we work for we are part of a family doing a job that some people can only dream about. Even though radio has changed greatly since I got in it 23 years ago, I still consider it a unique industry that will continue to change and evolve and exist in some form or another for the rest of time.
Many thanks to those who have helped me along the way and helped me when I was on the beach with no where to go..you know who you are. Thanks for being a part of my time in radio. It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of the Nebraska Radio Hall of Fame.
Chuck Denver, Waitt Radio Networks

I was quite surprised to find my name listed among those who were to be brought into the Hall of Fame. It has been so many years since I worked in Omaha, and yet those were some of the most important years in my career.
KOIL was not just a radio station in the mid-1960's. It was a place where broadcasters were tested. You had to work harder, and smarter than your peers. You were called on to invent concepts and develop formats or step aside.
What was life like at KOIL? I generally worked 12 hours a day, six days a weeks, and spent most of the rest of the time talking radio (and drinking beer at "The Brothers Lounge") with the other members of the staff.
At one time, KOIL was able to say that-- even though we were a rock and roll radio station-- we provided the Omaha community with the most news provided by the largest radio-only news staff in the market.
Bob Benson, KOIL 1965-1968

So much of radio is a matter of teamwork, and I was blessed to be partnered with the best... including three other members of the Hall, Roger W. Morgan, Steve Lundy and Jack Swanda. To learn from them and all the other great pros I've had the pleasure to work with has been an incredible experience. And to be counted among these talents is a true honor. Thanks to you all!
Tony Wike

I know he would be more than honored to be one of Nebraska Radio's Inductee. He was in radio long before my time. He would do nothing but talk about radio, I guess you can say I was brainwashed to be in radio. 14 years ago was around the time radio was no longer apart of his life. Before then, I was just knee high and have met a lot of Radio Personalities who are some what noticeable today (Bob Dean, Lyle Nelson, Kent Pavelka, Rod Meyer, etc). If he were here today, I know he would thank many people who have helped him and who he has helped as well. The Problems he had with people, in the past, that still stand today, he wished they were resolved. My family and I are proud of him very much, and thank you for choosing him as one of Nebraska Radio's Inductee.

Since I once worked at WOW and since it seems to be the popular reaction, I suppose I, too, should say "WOW!" But of course most people would remember me from my time on the air at KFAB, much of which was in the form of the afternoon
traffic reporter, 10PM news anchor, and "evening weather alert program interruptor." I can't count how many times I had to barge in on Bruce Williams! Most of all the unique experience of getting the blowtorch back up after generator failure during the aftermath of the '97 blizzard will be one of my most memorable moments.
I thank everyone who nominated and voted for me and hope you all get professional help soon. I thank the HOF for NOT having the black-tie banquet, because as most of you know I don't do ties, and I hope that Bob Wilson's 1/2 a grandchild is whole by now. Seriously, thank you all again so much for this wonderfulhonor.
Mike Shane

WOW! Thanks for the honor!!! It really means a lot to me in this year of personal transition!! I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart.
I find it ironic that a guy that I met at KRNO, Campus Radio at UNO in 1971, worked with at KEZO in 1972, was KOIL's news director for many years; who used to get me drunk at Purcello's, held each other's babies, a damn good bass player, family man and one of my best friends and confidants for over 30 years is also inducted. Congrats to Johnny Bobcat, er I mean Norm Gates, er I mean Norm Roberts!
Terry Mason

I wanted to say a giant Thank You for the inclusion into the Nebraska Radio Hall of Fame. It is an extreme honor in light of those who were nominated and those who won. I am in lofty company. I'm indeed grateful for this honor. Thank You all so very, very much.
Charlie Stone

Wow! I cannot believe this.
It has been such a privilege to work with Nebraska's best radio broadcasters since I first arrived at KODY-North Platte in 1972. In the years since, I've come to know so many of the people who have made Nebraska radio great. It has truly been an honor. And now, I still get to work every day with five other inductees here at Waitt Radio.
It's never been more true: "Find what you love to do, and do it with people you love to be with".
Neil Nelkin

Very nice surprise!
John Ivey

What a sweet surprise! Although rarely humbled....you got to me on this one! I'm truly touched and honored to be inducted into the Nebraska Radio Personalities Hall of Fame. KOIL was my first introduction into real rock and roll radio, emphasizing and showcasing highly entertaining Air Personalities. When I arrived in Omaha, the station already had a pre-cut jock jingle, ....so the Johnny Mitchell character was born, complete with Pool School, loads of lifegirls, and lots of hot fun in the summertime. Omaha radio taught me a lot, and it became a springboard for my Kris Erik Stevens career, and I am forever grateful. Thank you for including me with such an elite array of Super Talents.
Kris Erik Stevens

A very sincere response to thank those whose memories extended back to the 50’s and 60’s and submitted my name for inclusion in the NRPHOF. I shudder to think that we’re talking about the years extending to almost a half-century ago!
As you mention, I worked only one station in Nebraska but what a station it was. If only I had understood -what we were doing to the world of entertainment at the time I would have saved everything! Other than low pay, the atrocious hours and constant disparaging remarks from those who wouldn’t say “I listen to Rock ‘n Roll” to save their lives...we had fun. And it showed in the ratings and the response obtained from mail contests and telephone promotions. It was only after leaving for a major market after twelve years, did I realize that KOIL was years ahead of what was happening in the top ten markets of America. And why not? We originated much of format radio and what we didn’t originate, we improved upon. (Actually that was a quote from our leader who acknowledged taking ideas and making them really work).
I still retain fond memories of Omaha. Six of my children were born there and they return every few years with their children. I retired from the business in 1987 and manage to enjoy my home in Florida during the winter and returning each summer to Pennsylvania where my children and 16 1/2 grandchildren reside!
Bob Wilson

It is an honor and a delight to be chosen as a charter inductee into the
NEBRASKA RADIO PERSONALITIES HALL OF FAME. I will check out the website, and
if you should want any tapes or Top-40 hit lists etc. that I may be able to
dredge up from my days at KFOR in Lincoln and KOIL in Omaha, let me know. I
still think KOIL was one of the best radio stations in the nation in the 50s
and 60s. I sure learned a lot working there.
Again, thanks guys. Keep me up to date on your activities.
Dave Diamond

I logged on to your website and found a very old photo of me IN BETWEEN Johnny Carson and Roger W. Morgan! I almost wet my pants--although at my age that's getting to be more of an issue. Then I saw the others you have honored and it brought back so many fond memories of Omaha radio and Walt Kavanaugh, Lyell Bremser, Steve Brown, Frank Allen, Joe Light, Fred Winston, Gary Gears, Sandy Jackson, Steve Lundy, Frank Scott, Bob Wilson and Chuck Stevens of Lincoln (with whom I started in radio). The others on the list, I can only wish I had worked in the market at the same time. Thank you for wonderful memories and a great honor!
Lyle Dean

You certainly made my day to find that I have been elected to the Nebraska Radio Broadcaster's Hall of Fame. Especially considering that in my last job in Nebraska I was fired at KRNY by Smilin' Jack Lewis (who wasn't smilin' at the time). I guess the best revenge is being elected to the Hall of Fame!
Thanks again from this old Husker!
Dr. Don Rose

Thank you so much for this honor, what a pleasant surprise! Wow!
Mary O'Keefe

Thanks very much for letting me know about this. It in an honor for which I am extremely grateful. It seems to me that perhaps we should hold a $100 a plate black tie dinner in Cyber space. I have a feeling that with a little imagination some fairly interesting "banquets" could be written and or produced.
As you may know, I recently concluded a 28 year career in broadcasting, 20 if which I spent at KFOR in Lincoln. I also did stints in Laramie Wyo, Casa Grande AZ, at KOOO in Omaha, and KOIL in Omaha. I had the interesting experience of working with Joe Light, Frank Coffeehead Allen, and Carl Mann. (I let Frank go once only to have him suffer a heart attack about three days later.) I was on the air during the tornado in the 70's in Omaha, and the October blizzard of a few years ago in Lincoln. Those two events were the most rewarding of my career.
I was also lucky to work with such a great group in Lincoln...Cathy Blythe, Chuck Stevens, Ward Jacobson, Coby Mack, Dick Janda, John Cutler and on and on. Working for Roger Larson was nothing short of a privilege.
I am proud to have been a broadcaster. It is a noble profession for those who take it seriously. I have been fortunate to have been treated respectfully through out most of my career (There were exceptions of course.) If there is anything I can do to support this effort, please let me know.. It is a fine idea.
Best regards and continued best of luck.
SCOTT YOUNG

WOW! I just got off the air and found this lovely little message in my e-mail. Jeepers! I'm honored! That's some kinda good company on that list of inductees. :) And while I'm at it, may I say how much I enjoy checking out the Nebraska radio web site.
Thanks again!
Cathy Blythe

You could have blown me over when I opened your e-mail this morning. Thanks for letting me know. I haven't been to the site in a 2 or 3 weeks, so I have been out of touch. I really don't know how to feel, but I sure have a glow about me right now.
Thanks again,
J Marshall

Hi guys...I'm extremely proud to have been honored by this recognition!
Meantime, you've made an old guy very happy. Many thanks for creating the award!
Roger W. Morgan

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