The Georgia Radio Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization based in LaGrange. Its mission is to recognize radio professionals who are from the state of Georgia or who have worked in the state of Georgia, and to preserve the history of Georgia radio. It was founded in 2007 by Sam Hale and John Long.

Georgia Radio Hall of Fame Logo
Georgia Radio Hall of Fame Logo

Courtesy of the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame

The Georgia Radio Hall of Fame recognizes two categories of inductees—career achievement (for living radio professionals) and legacy (for deceased radio professionals). Members of the organization nominate and select the career achievement inductees, while the board of directors selects legacy inductees. The organization also bestows two awards—the Founders and Directors Award and the Elmo Ellis Spirit Award. The former is awarded to a Georgia radio professional selected by the board of directors. The latter honors Elmo Ellis, a respected writer and producer who worked for WSB Radio and WSB Television in Atlanta from the 1940s to the 1980s. The recipient of this award, selected by the board of directors and the Ellis family, is a Georgia radio professional who has shown unique leadership. An induction awards ceremony is held each year.

Elmo Ellis
Elmo Ellis

Courtesy of History of WSB Radio

The officers of the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame include a president, a vice president, a treasurer, a secretary, and board members. Operating revenue consists of membership fees, donations, and contributions for the annual event. Membership benefits include the right to nominate and vote for career achievement inductees, a subscription to the monthly newsletter, and reduced pricing for event tickets. All officers and staff of the organization are volunteers; there are no paid employees.

Since the organization’s inception, members have donated Georgia radio memorabilia, audio recordings, and photographs. The collection is displayed at the Georgia Radio Museum and Hall of Fame, which moved from St. Marys to LaGrange in 2018. Much of the collection can also be seen and heard on the organization’s Web site, and a complete list of inductees appears there as well.

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Georgia Radio Hall of Fame Logo

Georgia Radio Hall of Fame Logo

The Georgia Radio Hall of Fame was founded in 2007 to honor the work of Georgia's radio professionals and to preserve the history of Georgia radio.

Courtesy of the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame

Elmo Ellis

Elmo Ellis

Elmo Ellis's 1950s campaign, "Removing the Rust from Radio," encouraged the revitalization of radio in the wake of television's growing popularity. Ellis was honored with a Peabody Award and was inducted into the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

Courtesy of History of WSB Radio

Sam Hale

Sam Hale

Sam Hale, cofounder of the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame, welcomes guests to the organization's inaugural induction awards ceremony, held in Atlanta in 2007.

Courtesy of the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame

John Long

John Long

John Long (left), cofounder of the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame, accepts a commendation from Georgia governor Sonny Perdue (not pictured) at the organization's inaugural induction awards ceremony, held in Atlanta in 2007.

Courtesy of Georgia Radio Hall of Fame