The Missouri Broadcasters Association has inducted seven new members into its Hall of Fame, honoring their contributions to the Show Me State’s radio and TV scene.
The ceremony took place on June 6 at the Margaritaville Lake Resort in Osage Beach, Mo., during the association’s annual convention.
MBA Hall of Famer and St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster John Rooney hosted the Hall of Fame Banquet.
“These are individuals who made a real impact on people throughout their broadcasting careers,” said MBA President and CEO Chad Mahoney in a release.
This year’s radio inductees include:
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John Beck, known for his work at KSHE(FM) in St. Louis. He has held leadership roles in Kansas City and St. Louis radio, is a former NAB radio board member, and serves as chair of the MBA Legislative Committee.
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The late Sharon Bonnett, a 1965 Northwest Missouri State University graduate who served as a producer, program director and general manager of Northwest Missouri State’s KXCV/KRNW(FM) for more than three decades. She died in 2023, and the university later renamed its radio studio in her honor.
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John Coffey, who marked a milestone this year by calling 500 consecutive football games for Northwest Missouri State University. A 1982 Northwest Missouri State graduate, Coffey helped launch the Bearcat Radio Network in 1999 and has served as KXCV/KRNW(FM) general manager since 2019.
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Dan Dierdorf, a Pro Football Hall of Famer whose broadcasting career began at KMOX(AM) in St. Louis hosting talk shows and calling local sports. His talents are known nationally from his NFL work on ABC’s Monday Night Football and CBS’ NFL broadcast team.
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Les Garland, a Springfield native who began his broadcasting career at Missouri radio stations KSWM(FM), KWTO(FM) and KICK(FM) before becoming the co-founder of MTV, VH1, RKO Radio Network and the Box Television Network.
Also inducted are Denny Matthews, who has broadcast Kansas City Royals games since their inception in 1969, previously worked at KMOX(TV) in St. Louis, and called baseball for the CBS Radio Network in the 1980s; and Lisa Rose, who had more than 40 years experience at Springfield’s KYTV(TV).
Stations of the year
During the convention, the MBA also presented the Distinguished Broadcaster Award to Denny Benne, owner of Benne Media. The award recognizes individuals with a minimum of 15 years in broadcasting, including at least 10 years in Missouri.
Additionally, the MBA named its radio stations of the year, which were KCLQ(FM) in Camdenton (small market), KATI(FM) in Jefferson City (medium market) and KXBS(HD3) 106.9 in St. Louis (large market).
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