
Atlanta’s own Neal Boortz was feted by the National Radio Hall of Fame on Saturday in Chicago.
The syndicated host, who mostly works out of WSB-AM studios here, spoke a bit about the award on his show this morning. He said many years ago, when he had lost a Marconi Award (another prestigious radio award), Rush Limbaugh emailed him and told him when Boortz won the National Hall of Fame honor, Limbaugh would induct him.
Boortz earlier this summer was given said award so he contacted Limbaugh and reminded him of his promise. Although Limbaugh had an annual golf outing with buddies this past weekend, he flew up to Chicago for the evening just to induct Bootz before going back to golf.
Here’s part of what Limbaugh said:
I am here to introduce and induct Neal Boortz into the Radio Hall of Fame. Many people are saying, ‘Why you?’ … he’s on 230 stations. He’s been a radio pioneer. He’s one of the class practitioners of what we do. He puts forth the best reputation, a true radio radio professional…
Neal Boortz almost cost me my syndication. In 1989, we had succeeded onto getting on WLS, the big 89 in Chicago as an affiliate with Tom Tradup, now at Salem. Neal sent me a note. He was always egging me on. He gave me an idea of something that might be fun. At the time, there was a rash of inexplicable traffic accidents around the country. So I said, ‘Ladies and gentleman, the problem is too many woman are farding in their cars.’ [Yes, the joke is it sounded like he was saying farting.].’
Limbaugh talked about how people were upset he’d even bring that up. But then he would explain that “farding” is to “apply makeup.” Tradup suspended Limbaugh for 45 minutes. “We have not had a problem with WLS since,” he said.
Boortz then thanked his wife Donna, who has never listened to his show. But in 1990, he told his wife he jsut couldn’t do both law and radio. It was sapping his energy and he had to drop one of them. He figured radio would have to go because he made so much less money via that outlet than law. But his wife said he had to do what he had a passion for, which is radio.
“I love her for that,” he said. “I was never going to get into any legal hall of fame, I promise you!”
10 comments Add your comment
TrafficHeadache
November 9th, 2009
2:59 pm
Boortz says he’s a libertarian, but a libertarian is nothing more than a conservative in sheep’s clothing.
Gary
November 9th, 2009
3:39 pm
Libertarians do not disagree that we are conservative in some form. We call ourselves libertarians because we are not Repubs or Dems. We are fiscally conservative, but socially liberal as we do not think government has any business dictating morality. In fact, we don’t think government has any business doing anything other than protecting the homeland and defending the constitution. The platforms of the two parties get away from that and hence the reason behind the libertarian movement.
If you would go back and look at the work of our founding fathers, you will see that they are more aligned with today’s libertarian party than either the republican or democrat.
On topic….congrats to Neal for his induction. Hopefully we will have the pleasure of more years of hearing his opinion – agree or not – on the radio.
Wayne stuck in AL
November 9th, 2009
3:52 pm
Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t Dr. Demento inducted into the radio HOF as well?
Rodney Ho
November 9th, 2009
4:01 pm
Yes. Dr. Demento was inducted the same night. Feel free to insert joke here.
northern peach
November 9th, 2009
9:49 pm
It is about time–Boortz rocks.
MayberryDawg
November 10th, 2009
2:55 pm
Way to go Neal! Well Deserved !
MapleApe
November 10th, 2009
4:23 pm
“libertarian is nothing more than a conservative in sheep’s clothing.”
Most libertarians support the decriminalization of marijuana, are against any sort of religiosity in public schools and are often pro choice and are often object to conservative shenanegans as much as the stunts the democrats pull. All of these positions apply to Neal Boortz.
Generally speaking, a libertarian is someone who believes in personal liberty, less interference in peoples lives from the state and smaller government. Simply put, we do not believe the solutions to our problems rest on increased government centralism or state spending.
Try thinking for yourself and doing your own research instead of swallowing the typical social democrat pap that oozes from the mainstream media and the blogosphere. You’ll be amazed at how many of your “progressive” friends will object to any digression from their groupthink.
The Rev. Dudley Doright of the First Apostolic Church of the Good God Almighty in Christ Jesus
November 11th, 2009
11:36 am
Boortz and Limbaugh on the same stage are like a white version of Al and Jesse.
ADL
November 11th, 2009
3:32 pm
A white version of Al and Jesse is impossible because racism must be involved and we all know whites can’t be the victim of racism.
I understand there were prostitutes in Chicago that same night. Feel free to insert a joke here.
By the way, congratulations to Neal Boortz for a job well done!!
DougG
November 14th, 2009
11:47 pm
I came to Atlanta in 1978. Neal was on WRNG (RING) radio then. Gary McKee was the voice of WQXI. I’d listen to Neal on Ring to stimulate my thinking (disagree with him alot, but he does make you think) and then McKee to laugh and NPR when I found myself agreeing a little “too much” with Neal. Congratulations Neal. You’re the brightest radio talker out there anywhere. Limbaugh and Maddow together can’t hold a candle to you.