The New York State Broadcasters Association has announced who will be headed to the New York Broadcaster's hall of Fame. On the radio side, chairman and CEO of Buckley Radio Rick Buckley will be joined by Joseph A. Reilly, NYSBA president and the late William B. Williams, a New York City radio icon.
Buckley has been a part of the radio industry for more than five decades. He began his career as a page at the National Broadcasting Company. In 1972, after working in radio in various capacities, he succeeded his father as the operating head of Buckley Radio. Today, it is one of America's remaining privately owned radio companies with 17 radio stations across the nation in addition to the WOR Radio Network, which serves more than 380 stations in the U.S. and Canada.
Reilly has served as the NYSBA's president since 1979. During his 32-year tenure at the association, he has
expertly balanced the two worlds of broadcasting and politics. Prior to joining the NYSBA, he founded, co-owned and operated a dozen broadcast properties in Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York. Reilly is also credited with launching the career of television impresario Roger King, who subsequently helped launch the careers of such TV personalities as Oprah and Dr. Phil. Reilly, who resides in Voorheesville, N.Y., will step down from his post at the end of June.
Williams, a longtime radio disc jockey and one of the industry's most devoted personalities to playing melodic tunes otherwise known as standards, worked in the industry for more than four decades. Known to his devoted audience and friends simply as "Willie B," he is best remembered for his long tenure as a radio personality at WNEW-AM in New York City. Williams had many friends, including Frank Sinatra, whom he met while the singer was hosting a radio show at WNEW early in his career. He later gave Sinatra the widely known nickname, "Chairman of the Board." For 30 years, Williams began his popular show "Make Believe Ballroom" with the greeting - "Hello World." He passed away in 1986.
Also going in on the TV side are Regis Philbin, Rod Wood and Carrie Lazarus, who recently celebrated their 25th Anniversary as co-anchors at Syracuse's WSYR-TV, are one of the longest running anchor teams in the nation and Arnold Klinsky, the former vice president and general manager of WHEC-TV in Rochester. The induction ceremony will take place at 49th Executive Conference June 27-28 in Bolton Landing, N.Y.
