Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. ® Announces DJ Hall of Fame and Radio Hall of Fame Inductees

Oct 24, 2007 Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. ® Announces DJ Hall of Fame and Radio Hall of Fame Inductees

Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. ® Announces DJ Hall of Fame and Radio Hall of Fame Inductees    The Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. ® has announced this year's Country Music DJ Hall of Fame and Country Music Radio Hall of Fame Inductees.  Bill Cody and Bob Robbins will be inducted into the Country Music DJ Hall of Fame. Jaye Albright, Bobby Kraig, and Michael Owens are to be inducted into the Country Music Radio Hall of Fame.  "Part of the criteria for induction to the Country DJ and Radio Hall of Fame is making a significant contribution to the country radio industry. Each of our 2008 inductees not only meet that criteria, but have exceeded it. This year’s class is a who’s who of difference makers. On behalf of the HoF selection committee, and the CRB Board of Directors, I’m honored to not only congratulate each inductee, but welcome them to their rightful place in the Hall of Fame," stated R.J. Curtis of Radio and Records and Chairman of the Country DJ and Radio Hall of Fame Committee.  The honorees are to be inducted into the Country Music DJ Hall of Fame and Country Radio Hall of Fame during a dinner ceremony on Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 at the Nashville Convention Center.     The Country Music DJ Hall of Fame (founded 1974) is dedicated to the recognition of those individuals who have made significant contributions to the country radio industry over a twenty five year period. Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. ® is proud to be the trustee of the institution. Criteria for the Radio Hall of Fame (founded in 2000) is similar to the DJ Hall of Fame in that it requires the nominee's Radio career be over a 25 year span.   Tickets are currently only available to invited guests of inductees, sponsors, and Country Radio Seminar registrants.  Interested parties may contact the CRB office at 615-327-4487 for updated ticket information and availability.   ABOUT THE INDUCTEES:   Country Music DJ Hall of Fame Inductees: Bill Cody, WSM-AM Morning Show host, is recognized as one of the most familiar voices and faces in the industry.  He began his career in Country radio at WLBN (Lebanon, KY) in 1971.   Six years later, he accepted an air personality position at Contemporary formatted WVLK (Lexington, KY). Two years later, he joined WHAS (Louisville, KY).  In 1985, he returned to the Country music format and became morning air personality at Country station WCII (Louisville, KY), but that same year moved to WHOO-FM (Orlando, FL) in a similar capacity. In 1987, he took on a position at KKYX-AM (San Antonio TX).  He joined WSM-AM (Nashville, TN) in 1994, and from 1996-2000 served with WSM-FM (Nashville, TN). He hosted WSM’s 75th Annual birthday coverage from the Ryman Auditorium interviewing President George W. Bush and his father former President George Bush. He emceed the 2001 Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame induction dinner and is known as host of Jones Radio Network's GAC’s Classic Country Weekend With Bill Cody and Great American Country’s daily show GAC's Master Series.   Bob Robbins has been recognized as the number one disc jockey in Little Rock for over 20 years, leading his station to win a number of industry awards.  His career started in Little Rock at Top 40 powerhouse KAAY (Little Rock, AR) in 1967.  He moved to KSSN-FM  (Little Rock, AR) at the station’s inception in 1979 and was named CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year in 1996. KSSN-FM’s awards include: 1990 NAB Marconi Award (Best Medium Market Station), 1990 Arkansas Broadcasters’ Association Most Admired Station, 1991 Billboard Country Radio Station of the Year, 1991 CMA Station of the Year, and 1996 NAB Marconi Award (Medium Market Station of the Year).  He remains at KSSN-FM (Little Rock, AR) as morning air personality   Country Radio Hall of Fame Inductees: Jaye Albright has consulted hundreds of Country radio stations and broadcast companies throughout the United States and Canada. She won her first award in 1964 as Production Director of WCUE (Cuyahoga Falls, OH) for one of the Ten Best Local Commercials in America as determined by the Radio Advertising Bureau.  After a career in local radio which included two years as Program Director of KHOS (Tucson, AZ), three years as morning personality and Operations Manager at KUZZ/KUXX (Bakersfield CA), and a year as morning personality and Program Director for KEEN (San Jose, CA) she became National Programming Consultant for Drake-Chenault Enterprises. In 1984, she returned to local radio as Program Director of KMPS (Seattle, WA).  She has served on the Country Radio Broadcasters’ Board of Directors and the Country Radio Seminar Agenda Committee as well as the Country Music Association Board of Directors.  Jaye is partner in Albright & O’Malley Country Consulting/RadioIQ.   Bobby Kraig was an integral part of building one of America’s most successful Country radio stations, KPLX (Dallas, TX). Under his leadership, it dominated in ratings and industry awards and at one point was the most listened to Country station in America.  He attended Brown Institute of Broadcasting in 1971-1972.  While working at a pirate radio station in St. Paul, MN, he began his Country career at WHSM (Hayward,WI). After two years he moved to WCCM (Brazil, IN). In 1973, he played the first Country record at WTHI (Terre Haute, IN) where he stayed for four years. In 1977, he became morning air personality and Program Director at WONE (Dayton, OH) and in 1979 returned to WTHI.  He became Program Director of KPLX (Dallas, TX) and held that position until 1993. During that time he was awarded Program Director of The Year by Billboard Magazine in 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1991. In 1990, he received the same award from the Country Music Association.  He left radio to join Arista Nashville in 1993 and under his leadership, Arista Nashville was named Country Music Label of the Year several times by various trade publications and he was named Promotion Executive of the Year. Due to health reasons, Bobby stepped down as VP/Promotion in 2005.   Michael Owens was General Manager of Country station KNIX, which was consistently number one in the Phoenix market and won many prestigious awards including honors from the Country Music Association, The Academy of Country Music, Billboard Magazine, and the Marconi Award for excellence in broadcasting. His Country radio career started in 1965 as a janitor and weekend announcer. Two years later he was a fulltime announcer. From 1969 to 1974, he was Associate Producer for a syndicated Country television show. In 1974, he became General Manager of KUZZ/KZIN/KKXX (Bakersfield, CA). From 1978 through 1999, Owens was Vice President/General Manager for Owens Broadcasting Company, a company which included KNIX radio and was founded by his father, Buck Owens. He started a a monthly publication, Country Spirit, and launched the Real Country satellite radio network, which at one time had more than 160 affiliate stations.  Michael is still part owner of KUZZ and KCWR in Bakersfield.   ***   The Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. ® is a non-profit organization founded in 1969 to bring radio broadcasters from around the world together with the Country Music industry for the purpose of ensuring the continued vitality of the Country Radio format. They do this by idea sharing and education through an annual convention called the Country Radio Seminar. Complete seminar registration and hotel information may be obtained by contacting CRB, Inc. at 615-327-4487 or by visiting www.crb.org. On site registration is now available. Country Radio Seminar is a registered trademark of Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.  Early bird registration is available online at http://www.crb.org or by contacting the Country Radio Broadcasters offices at 615-327-4487.   ____________________   CRS-39 March 5-7, 2008 Nashville Convention Center 601 Commerce Street Nashville, TN 37203 Country Radio Seminar is a registered trademark of the County Radio Broadcasters, Inc.