[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19296]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO BEN McKINNON, ``GODFATHER OF BIRMINGHAM RADIO''

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2011

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of Alabama's 
radio pioneers, Mr. Ben McKinnon, who recently passed away at the age 
of 89. An influential force in broadcasting throughout the Southeast, 
Ben was perhaps best known as the ``Godfather'' of Birmingham radio.
  Born in Maxton, North Carolina, Ben graduated from the University of 
North Carolina with an AB in Journalism. As the nation became involved 
in the Second World War, Ben answered his country's call to duty by 
serving as a line officer in the U.S. Navy. Seeing action in both the 
Atlantic and Pacific theatres, Ben led one of the major assault waves 
on Yellow Beach in Okinawa.
  Upon returning home from the war, Ben traded his service pistol for a 
typewriter as editor of three weekly newspapers in his home county. But 
it wasn't long before his gaze turned toward the growing broadcast 
industry. He soon joined the staff of legendary Charlotte radio station 
WBT as local sales manager. Three years later he was hired as general 
manager of television station WGVL in Greenville, SC. His skills as a 
manager quickly brought him down to Alabama where he took the reins of 
Birmingham radio station WSGN. From that point on, he would call 
Alabama's largest city his home.
  As vice president and general manager and later president of WSGN, 
Ben transformed the radio station into a dominant player in Birmingham 
and north Alabama broadcasting. Under his leadership, WSGN--known as 
``The Big 610''--thundered across the airwaves with the Magic City's 
first full-time ``top 40'' format. For those who listened to radio in 
the 50s and 60s, rock 'n roll was king. Under Ben's direction, WSGN 
proudly wore the crown in Birmingham radio and earned a spot as one of 
the nation's top rock 'n roll stations.
  Upon his retirement after 28 years with WSGN, Ben remained a strong 
voice in the state's communications industry. As executive director of 
the Alabama Broadcasters Association, he was a frequent visitor to 
Washington, DC to advocate on behalf of our local radio and television 
stations. He led the ABA for 18 years before retiring a second time.
  Mr. Speaker, Ben's awards and accomplishments are, frankly, too 
extensive to list here. He was active in numerous major Birmingham area 
community service organizations for decades, ranging from board member 
of the Jefferson County March of Dimes and the Birmingham Chapter of 
the American Red Cross, to president of the Jefferson County Chapter of 
the American Cancer Society--to name but a few.
  His remarkable career and many contributions to society are further 
highlighted by an impressive array of recognitions including the Thad 
Holt Distinguished Broadcaster Award from the University of Alabama 
School of Communications, the Silver Plate Award from the South 
Carolina Association of Broadcasters, the Broadcaster of the Year Award 
from the Alabama Broadcasters Association, and the National Association 
of Broadcasters State Executive of the Year Award.
  On behalf of the people of Alabama, I wish to offer condolences to 
Ben's daughters, Sharon Bruns, Ellen McKinnon and Lisa McKinnon; and 
grandchildren and many friends. You are each in our thoughts and 
prayers. Ben was well loved and will be sorely missed.

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