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CRHoF Class of 2023
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Six To CRHoF: The Country Radio Hall of Fame (CRHoF)’s class of 2023 will be celebrated during the Country Radio Hall Of Fame Induction And Dinner July 10 at the Virgin Hotel Nashville. They are:

In the Radio category:

  • Pam Green, longtime WHN/New York MD
  • The late Wade Jessen, former Billboard Chart Mgr.
  • Charlie Morgan, Apple Music Global Head/Radio & Music Programming
  • John Willyard, Voiceover and imaging artist

In the On-Air category:

  • Trish Biondo, longtime WUSN/Chicago on-air/promotions/research talent
  • “Dollar Bill” Lawson, WDXB/Birmingham morning host

Green began her career at WHN/New York in 1974 and rose to the MD post, which she held for 13 years. Her success as one of Country radio’s first female MDs paved the way for other women seeking influential programming positions. After a stint with Joel Raab’s consultancy, Green served as USRN Sr. Dir./Artist Relations and remained in the position as it segued to Westwood One.

Jessen, honored posthumously (CAT 3/5/15), spent two terms at KSOP/Salt Lake City before moving to Nashville in 1987 to work for WSM-AM/FM as MD. Eventually picking up a job writing for Billboard, he was named Chart Mgr. for Country, Christian and Bluegrass formats and played an instrumental role in adapting Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart to reflect streaming, sales and airplay. In addition to his work with Billboard, Jessen remained on-air, hosting for SiriusXM until his death.

Morgan’s career began on-air at WFMS/Indianapolis before rising to include programming and operations for ‘FMS and Country sister WGRL. In 2000, Morgan became VP/MM for then-Susquehanna, which eventually became a Cumulus property. He moved across the street as then-Emmis/Indianapolis SVP/MM in 2009, overseeing the cluster that includes Country WLHK, and later added MM chores for the company’s New York station group. In 2019, Morgan was tapped as Apple Music Global Head/Radio & Music Programming. He has served a long tenure as a CRB Board member, where he is a past Board President, and with the CMA where he currently serves as Board Chairman.

Willyard’s induction marks the first time an individual has been recognized by the CRHoF for contributions in voice acting and imaging. His broadcast career began in 1970. In 1991, he caught the attention of CRHoF inductee Rusty Walker, who began recommending Willyard to clients seeking an imaging voice. Willyard’s client list grew to more than 100 Country outlets across all market sizes, a workload he has maintained for more than three decades. Willyard’s voice talents have expanded to include syndication, special artist release projects and serving as the voice of the CMA Awards for 20 years.

Biondo began her radio career at WUSN/Chicago while still in college, working in the research and promotions department and as a board op. She then spent time with other Chicago stations before interning at Nashville’s MTM Records. After college, Biondo returned to WUSN in various roles, including Promotions, Research and MD. In 1990, she joined the WUSN morning show, where she became a mainstay for 14 years before transitioning to middays in 2006.

Lawson’s career in radio began in 1973, but his 1984 move to his hometown station, WZZK/Birmingham, kicked off his long tenure in the market. Initially serving as midday personality/Promo Dir., Lawson spent 18 years at WZZK, 10 of which he could be heard in mornings. When he made the move to crosstown WDXB, his fanbase followed. In addition to on-air work, Lawson is deeply involved in his community and was honored with the CRB Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award in 2019.



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