Seven broadcasters to be inducted into Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame

By Mark Scott

Buffalo, NY – Seven broadcasting legends will be inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame later this month. They were introduced at a news conference Tuesday.

Bill Siemering, NPR's first program director, is one of this year's Hall of Fame inductees. He was the first professional general manager of WBFO, from 1962 through 1970. Of his many accomplishments here, Siemering is remembered for creating a satellite studio in a storefront on Jefferson Avenue, giving Buffalo's African-American community a voice on the radio.

Siemering says he tried to make a difference with his programming.

"I hope that people have seen the world differently. Perhaps they've had their imagination stretched," Siemering said.

Siemering continues to make a difference by assisting in the development of independent media in the world's emerging democracies. Joining Siemering in the Hall of Fame is Brian Meyer, currently a Buffalo News reporter who made his mark in broadcasting as a street reporter for WBEN radio for 15 years. Meyer is best known for his coverage of the feisty Jimmy Griffin, the former mayor of Buffalo.

"The Griffin era was so much fun to cover," Meyer said. "I'll remember my month out in 'La-La Land,' covering the O.J. Simpson trial."

Meyer still has a presence on radio as a City Hall analyst once a month as part of WBFO's Monday reporters Roundtable.

A familiar face on Buffalo television is being honored this year -- Channel 2 Sports Director Ed Kilgore. He arrived at Channel 2 in 1973 and has been here ever since, covering the Bills and Sabres.

"Channel 2 covered the Buffalo Sabres for ten years," Kilgore recalled. "I can remember (former coach) Punch Imlach yelling at me that I will never do another Sabres game. Then, he got fired the following Monday."

Kilgore just returned from Africa, where he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Kids Escaping Drugs.

This year's class also includes two pioneering women in Buffalo broadcasting -- Mary Brady and Margaret Russ. Both joined the old WEBR in the mid-1940s and stayed on and the station evolved from a commercial music station to an all news public station. Many say they were the true managers of the radio station because of their longevity and institutional knowledge. But Brady downplayed that.

"We really didn't run the station, even though the paper said so," she said.

Also entering the broadcasting Hall of Fame is the late Frank Benny, who made his mark as a long-time host in the '70s and '80s on WGR. He died at the age of 67 in 2005.

Finally, Les Trent, who has spent the past decade as a reporter for Inside Edition, will be inducted. Trent got his start in broadcasting in Buffalo, working at several local radio stations before entering television at Channels 4 and then 2.

All seven broadcasters will be inducted at a ceremony September 21st at the WNED studios. Dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the ceremony starts at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for members are $40 and nonmembers are $50 and can be purchased in advance by calling 716-873-2233 or by doing so at the Buffalo Broadcasters website.