TX Radio: Ben Downs Among 2019 Texas HoF Inductees

Bryan Broadcasting Vice President and General Manager, Ben Downs, has been elected to the Texas Radio Hall of Fame.

Ben Downs

He was selected by colleagues and peers who have been employed in Texas Radio. He will be inducted November 2nd at the new Texas Museum of Broadcasting and Communications in Kilgore.

Downs, who is completing his 50th year in radio broadcasting, began at Bryan Broadcasting in 1972.

In the broadcasting world he has served two terms as Chairman of the Texas Association of Broadcasters and three terms on the board of the National Association of Broadcasters. He currently serves as Trustee and Vice Chairman of the NAB’s Political Action Committee.

During his 50 years in radio, Downs has lived broadcasting’s evolution. Changes on the technical side as well as the way people consume audio. Given his long view perspective, Downs often works with regulators in and lawmakers in Washington to enact changes that make radio more flexible and more able to compete in the digital era.

His work with changes to the AM radio regulatory framework has been especially noted.

⏩ 2019 Inductees Are:

• Glenn Hicks-KLVI/KYKR/KAYD
• Linda Austin Ware-KIKK/KTRH/KILT
• Jimmy Aiken-KPIR/KCLE
• Lee Randall-KFJZ/KILT/KTSA
• George Gimarc-KZEW/KDGE/KRQX
• Dave Rios-KTSA/KONO
• Billy Thorman-KONO/KITY/KTSA
• Johnny Goyen-KFMK/KRBE/KPRC
• Ben Downs-WTAW/KTAM/KNDE
• Steve Lamb-WBAP
• John Mitton-KIKK
• Willis Johnson-KKDA-AM
• Redbeard-KTXQ/KZPS/XM Satellite Radio
• Bob Hathaway-KRLD/KLIF
• Michael Harris-KCOH/KYOK/KYND
• Scott Sparks-KRBE/KLUE/KGLK

⏩ Posthumously Inducted:

• Jim WW Travis-KBUC/KASE/KVET
• Dick Wheeler-WFAA/KRLD/WBAP
• George Erwin-KFJZ/KXOL
• Harwell Shepard-KDNT (am/fm)