The Buffalo Broadcasters Association announced its 2014 Hall of Fame inductees Tuesday.The broadcasting legends to be honored include Tony Buttino formerly of WNED-TV, Don Postles of WIVB-TV, Bill Lacy of WHTT-FM, Chris Musial formerly of WIVB-TV, the late Jack Armstrong of WKBW-AM, and Susan King formerly of WGR-TV, CNN, ABC and NBC.
Buttino created and produced the popular public television show “Reading Rainbow.” He began at WNED as a volunteer cameraman and later became the temporary coordinator of Instructional TV in 1965.
Buttino says it’s an honor to be in the company of this year’s inductees and to represent public television.
“I hope that everyone that participated in all of these ventures realize that I share this Hall of Fame honor with them. I thank the Buffalo Broadcasters Association for making it possible,” said Buttino.
Postles is the only person to serve as primary anchor at Channels 2, 4, and 7. He’s been with WIVB since 1993, where he has received numerous awards. Postles says he is honored, humbled and privileged to receive the award.
“The community has been great to me. We do so many things in our community... The key to success in broadcasting is very simple. It’s the three P’s and a C. You get the right people, to put on the right product, with the right promotion, and community involvement. I think if you look around the broadcasting industry in western New York you will see many, many on-air people doing so much for our community. It’s almost like the measure you give is the measure you receive, and I’ve been blessed in so many ways,” said Postles.
Musial is the now retired general manger of WIVB. He saw the stations ascension to the number one ranking in the local news ratings. Musial began his 35 year career at Channel 4 as an intern working his way from on-air personality, to photographer, to producer, to news director, to GM, earning numerous awards. Musial says the award is a tremendous honor.
“Some of the lessons that I’ve been fortunate to learn in working with the greatest people in broadcasting, both at Channel 4 and from the competition was be a part of the community. Don’t take your viewers for granted. Have fun. Enjoy what you’re doing. And from Jackie Walker and Bob Coop; get it right. Sometimes you’re not going to beat the competition by that 30 seconds, but if you have it right, that’s what matters,” said Musial.
SUNY Fredonia graduate and part-time host at WNED-AM Carl Lam will receive the Tim Russert Medal of Merit. The medal aims to honor and encourage young broadcasters. The Hall of Fame dinner will take place at 7 p.m. on September 18 at the WNED studios.