by Steve CICHON
Believe it or not, a job in broadcasting is not too much different that any other job.
We all punch a clock, putting in our 8 or 9 hours a day… and hope we've accomplished
something at the end of it all. Most of us talk into a camera or microphone without much
recognition or many accolades; many never fully comprehending the impact that we've had on
so many. That's where the Buffalo Broadcasters come in.
The Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame event is not only a chance to mark for history the
great achievements and pop cultural impact of some the Queen City's favorite Radio and TV
contributors… It's also a chance to let the best of the best know how much they are
appreciated by both their industry and the public.
I was once in the home of the late Jack Mahl, who spent 50 years on Buffalo Radio and
Television. The only sign of that incredible run as a broadcaster was his proudly
displayed Hall of Fame Award, an award the 6-foot-eight Mahl nearly broke down in tears
accepting. One of this year's honorees wrote, "Buffalo Bob Smith, Irv Weinstein, Joey
Reynolds, and now me. Pinch me, I must be dreaming." Not dreaming, only taking your
rightful place among Buffalo's Greatest.
After nearly a decade honoring nearly 60 people with induction into our Hall of Fame, we
relish that we're able to celebrate the history of Radio and Television, and at the same
time, say Job Well Done to those who richly deserve it… Those who have told us the
news that has impacted our lives, told us what the score was, told us whether to grab an
umbrella, and even played a little music to make that long car trip to Auntie's house a
little more enjoyable.
Rich Kellman
For 31 years (and ticking), Rich Kellman has maintained the bar for not only journalistic
excellence, but also for humanity, sensitivity, and empathy in reporting.
Kellman's long list of professional awards includes Emmys, the Edward R. Murrow Award, and
Associated Press Awards in Individual, Investigative, and Feature Reporting. He's also met
Popes and Presidents. While those professional milestones alone would likely make Rich a
candidate worthy of the Hall of Fame, it's his knack to connect with people, and his sheer
joy in telling their stories that makes him that much more special.
Since 1974, Rich has been the constant Channel 2, and no matter the cast around him, has
always left viewers with the feeling "Someone in that little box really cares for
me." And the best part about Rich Kellman is… That he really does.
Billy & Reggie Keaton
2005 Golden Age Award
The Buffalo Broadcast Pioneers was founded in 1995, and we still have a lot of catching up
to do. The Golden Age Award is reserved for the pioneers in the truest sense of the word:
Those who did it first, the people who had no pattern to follow, no lead blocker. These
folks blazed the trail, and set an example for future generations to follow.
Like many of radio's pioneers, Billy Keaton's foray into the medium came in the pre-war
days when he adapted his Vaudeville routine into the highly popular "Stuff and
Nonsense" program on WGR Radio. His success turned a temporary Buffalo assignment
permanent. After the war, Billy's wife Reggie joined the act, and the two hosted the
"Mr. and Mrs. Show" for a decade.
While the Keatons' voices were familiar throughout the '40s and '50s, their faces were
soon popular as well. As a long time WGR Radio fan favorite, Billy was the natural choice
to welcome the first viewers to WGR-TV in 1954. Billy and Reggie also hosted several Cable
TV talk shows through the years, leaving a legacy of 55 years of entertaining Western New
York. Billy Keaton passed away in 1976, Reggie 19 years later in 1995.
Al Lafler
2005 Behind the Scenes Award
It takes more than just a pretty face or golden voice to put on a radio or television
program, and with the Behind the Scenes Award, the BBP celebrates the folks who are the
guts of any broadcast: The directors, producers, photographers, writers, engineers…
All the often nameless, faceless people on "the other side of the glass."
Several generations of Buffalonians grew up with the rock'n roll music and fun of WKBW
Radio. From 1958 to 1988, one man had his hand on the rudder of the production sound that
allowed KB to stand head and shoulders above the rest.
Al Lafler's interest in radio began when he served in World War II as a Navy sonar man.
After a few years around the dial, Al knocked on the door at KB and was hired on the spot.
He spent then next thirty years as an engineer and production man at the station.
It was partially his credo, "Good enough isn't good enough," that gave KB such a
great sound over the years… But it was also his warmth and kindness that allowed him
to enforce that credo without ruffling the sometimes delicate sensibilities of some of
Buffalo's biggest radio stars. It all made for a backbone that allowed the stations
personalities shine even brighter.
Bill McKibben
2005 Goodyear Award
The Goodyear Award is named in honor of George Goodyear, the Buffalo philanthropist who
co-founded WGR-TV, and is awarded each year to those in Broadcasting's front office who
have made a career of advancing the ideals of the BBP.
Bill McKibben spent a career as a trailblazer. As General Manager at WGR Radio in the mid
60's, he helped develop the city's first news/talk format, a quarter century before talk
would revolutionize AM Radio. When he and some investors purchased WEBR Radio in the 70s,
they put Buffalo's First Oldies Format on the air… Again a decade before a full-time
Oldies became widely accepted.
Between assignments at WGR and WEBR, McKibben modernized the WBEN properties… Both
Radio and Channel 4. While the Buffalo Evening News had been a pioneer in putting the
stations on the air, they hadn't done much by the mid-60's to compete in the market.
McKibben brought in viewer and listener research, and helped turn around a franchise that
was on the precipice of abyss. It was Bill's idea, for example, to move Chuck Healy to the
news desk from sports, which helped ratings soar.
Known as a tough management negotiator despite having grown up in a union home, most who
worked with Bill agree that he always made every attempt to hire the best, and then let
them do their job unfettered.
Paul Maguire
2005 Buffalo Bob Smith Award
Buffalo Bob Smith began his broadcasting career in his hometown of Buffalo, but of course
gained worldwide fame as the human friend of America's favorite puppet, Howdy Doody.
Despite his international celebrity, Bob never forgot his hometown, and even adopted it as
a part of his name. Each year The Buffalo Broadcast Pioneers honor a broadcaster who has
made his or her mark away from the Niagara Frontier, but is a Buffalonian at heart.
Since 1964, when he was traded to the Bills, Paul Maguire has been a Buffalonian. Since
his retirement from football in 1970, Maguire has used his suburban Buffalo home as the
home base for a sports broadcasting career that is incredible if only based on its 35 year
longevity.
The fact that he never softens the edges, added to his feistiness and humor have always
meant that his Color Commentary has certainly offers more "color" than any other
Analyst in football. A "lunch bucket" player and a "lunch bucket"
broadcaster has made "lunch bucket" Buffalo proud to call him "One of
us" for over 40 years.
Jim Santella
A smart, interesting friend on the radio. In that regard, Jim Santella is like many other
great disc jockeys over the years… He's someone who has transcended the microphone
and speaker to make the listener feel like they were having a real conversation.
What continues to set Jim apart is his soft-spoken approach mixed with a strong, yet
somehow universally appealing, sense of social awareness. As the voice and leader of
Progressive radio in Buffalo for parts of three decades at stations like WYSL-FM, WPHD-FM,
WGRQ-FM, WZIR-FM, and WUWU-FM, Santella lead the rebellion against playlist conformity and
management meddling. It more than once forced him up or down the dial, but people
followed.
Agree with him or not; like the music or not, a certain magnetism draws you in to a
Santella broadcast. It was a style that helped shape, and continues to shape, the sound of
FM radio in Buffalo.
We always welcome new members to the Buffalo Broadcasters. It's our mission to preserve
and promote Western New York's rich TV and radio history, and to salute and bring
attention to quality broadcasting of today. Membership is $30, and anyone with a passion
for broadcasting can join as a member. It's just as easy to join us in celebrating this
year's honorees.
Tickets to our Hall of Fame event are available to general public at $50 per person, and
$40 for members. Send your ticket order or membership request with payment to:
The Buffalo Broadcast Pioneers
5672 Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221
Steve Cichon is a Past President of the Buffalo Broadcasters, and currently serves on the group's Board of Directors. He's also a news anchor and reporter for WBEN Radio, and is webmaster at staffannouncer.com, a website celebrating broadcasting history.