Sammy George
Congratulations to Sammy George, one of Chattanooga’s all-time top broadcasters on his election to the Country Radio Hall of Fame. Sammy was general manager of US-101 during the station’s meteoric rise to the top of the local ratings, a position it has never relinquished. I always admired Sammy for his ability to find new talent, and assemble the right pieces to make a station sound great. As a listener, it impressed me that Sammy and his staff always seemed to be in position to react quickly to the local market’s mood. They were always a step ahead of musical trends, and if there was a need anywhere in the country, US-101 was ready to respond. They did countless food, water and relief drives for those who were devastated by floods, droughts and tornadoes.
Sammy is still very involved in the local broadcast community, and is still our “go-to” when we have questions on programming, music, and personality style. I should also mention that he is one of the best speakers I have ever heard. I am posting two YouTube videos at the end of this story. One is Sammy’s introduction of his friend “Dex” as a 2013 Hall of Fame inductee, and the other is Sammy (with Dex) paying tribute to David Earl Hughes at his memorial service in 2004.
Here is the official release about Sammy’s upcoming induction into the Hall of Fame:
Country Radio Broadcasters has announced the new inductees for the Country Radio Hall of Fame class of 2015 during opening ceremonies of the Country Radio Seminar.
Longtime WUSY (US-101) general manager Sammy George of Chattanooga is among this year’s inductees.
The Country Radio Hall of Fame is dedicated to the recognition of those individuals who have made significant contributions to the radio industry over a 20-year period, 15 of which must be in the Country format.
The annual Country Radio Hall of Fame and Dinner is set for Wed. June 24, at the Omni Hotel in Nashville.
During his 38-year career in radio, Sammy handled virtually every position inside a radio station, including on-air-personality, Program Director, News Reporter, sports play-by-play announcer, Sales Executive and Director of Sales. His final 22 years in the radio business saw him serve as GM/Market Manager for US-101, where he led the station to 73 consecutive #1 rating books, nine CMA Station of the Year awards, two ACM Station of the Year trophies, NAB Crystal and Marconi Awards, and eight consecutive Times Free Press Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Local Radio Station.
In 2013, Sammy performed the introductory speech for his longtime US-101 friend Bill “Dex” Poindexter, when Dex was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame:
In 2004: Sammy and Dex paid tribute to former US-101 personality David Earl Hughes, at his memorial service:
