[3] He interviewed and or met every US president from Dwight D. Eisenhower to Donald Trump,[5] including John F. Kennedy (when he was still a Senator), Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton,[6][5] and finally, after he was 20 years out of the Oval Office, Harry S. ORION-Richard Duane Samuelson, 93, of Orion, passed away Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at his home. And for all of the listeners and for all of us who have had the great fortune to work with you here, we thank you. McDonald now is a TV reporter and anchor at Detroit's PBS station. So I should recover very quickly.. Samuelson has spent over 60 years perfecting this talent, first at radio stations in Wisconsin before starting his job at Chicagos WGN Radio in September 1960. [8], On This Week in Agribusiness, Armstrong has a segment "Max's Tractor Shed," which features vintage tractors sent in by viewers. You listen to the radio. Orion Samuelson was honored at the 2010 Wisconsin Corn/Soy Expo in Wisconsin Dells. Orion and his first wife adopted two children, David and Katheryn. Well known ag broadcaster Orion Samuelson will retire this month after 60 years in the field. This would turn out to be his trademark generosity, as he mentored dozens of young broadcasters and interns over the coming decades. You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. Samuelson's first day on the air at WGN was on September 26, 1960 at "milking time", 5 a.m., at age 26. Orions stories of growing up on the family dairy in Ontario, Wis., are familiar to listeners: 30 milk cows, six sows, 200 chickens, 200 acres but only 90 tillable. And I think, what am I doing standing here? I think Ive made some progress and then Ill get a call or letter from a listener who wants to know how to tell if a watermelon is ripe just by looking at it, he said. Sirott: Orion, judging by all the listeners whove been calling us in the morning, people dont care how old you are. In 2010, the City of Chicago named the corner of Illinois Street and Cityfront Plaza Drive Orion Samuelson Way.. Check Background Get Contact Info This Is Me - Edit Reputation & Background View All Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. He gave an emotional update last Monday on the air, saying he wasn't saying his goodbyes, but colleagues feared otherwise. National Association of Farm Broadcasting ("NAFB"), "The Morning Show with Orion and Max | WGN Radio - 720 AM", "National President Election Profile: Max Armstrong", "Armstrong Earns Plaque On The WGN Radio Walk Of Fame", "Seven honorees named to WGN Radio Walk of Fame", "Max Armstrong's Tractor App Now Available", "Max Armstrong // Purdue College of Liberal Arts", "Max Armstrong Named Honorary Master Farmer", Chicago Radio Spotlight interview with Max Armstrong, Max Armstrong's Tractor App in the Daily Herald, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Max_Armstrong&oldid=1122875638, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Holly Spangler has covered Illinois agriculture for more than two decades, bringing meaningful production agriculture experience to the magazines coverage. U.S. Farm Report continued without Samuelson after his departure. USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue recently honored Samuelson with a proclamation heralding the broadcaster's long career in ag journalism. They serve with their local 4-H and FFA programs, their school district, and are active in their church's youth and music ministries. Garth. The University of Illinois presented Samuelson with the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters. just before graduating from the University of Illinois in agricultural communications. As that door closed in Chicago, another opened at WGN when the station picked up the farm programming torch and Orion was invited to walk in. I sat at a table with Glen Campbell and Bob Dole and we became good friends., Subscribe to receive top agriculture news, Be informed daily with these free e-newsletters. In 2001, Samuelson was named a laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois and was awarded the Order of Lincoln the highest award bestowed by the State of Illinois. Luckily, a copycat recipe is easy enough to copy. Cause I didnt think I was very important and then somebody said 60 years. "Thank you for loving Jamie and celebrating the goodness in him," McDonald wrote on Twitter. Orion Samuelson has 1 sibling. WGN Radio's Orion Samuelson has graced airwaves throughout the heartland in places across the Midwest and beyond. Around the same time, the vocational-agriculture teacher from school showed up on the Samuelsons doorstep, offering to bring Orions schoolwork out a couple of times a week and help him stay on pace with classmates. Orion Samuelson, American broadcaster Country: United States Birthday: March 31, 1934 Age : 89 years old Birth Sign : Aries About Biography Orion Samuelson is an American broadcaster most widely known for hosting U. S. Farm Report. In addition, Samuelson hosts a three-minute daily "National Farm Report", and a weekly commentary, "Samuelson Sez"; both are syndicated to various stations across the country through Tribune Broadcasting's Tribune Radio Network. Theres a saying that todays news is tomorrows history, said Perdue. He hopes to give the Illinois State Fair Sale of Champions another go in 2021 working hard to create some magic in the Coliseum for young livestock exhibitors. Reliable and true., And quotable. Three years into his tenure at WGN, he was the staffer that read the news of the John F. Kennedy assassination. We would talk about the European Community and the blocks that were put up against our products. Youve educated a lot of people though, havent you? On December 9, 2010, the southwest corner of E. Illinois Street & N. Cityfront Plaza Drive was named 'Orion Samuelson Way' by the city of Chicago. Samuelsen was a native of suburban San Francisco and attended college at Northwestern, before arriving in Detroit. I would, I would like that a lot. Samuelsen also made regular appearances on Fox 2 and wrote periodically for the Detroit Free Press. Sirott: Well, Orion congratulations. ", Now Samuelson looks back on a splendid career he never could have imagined. And it, I think, became pretty well known to most people that agriculture was indeed a contributor to the nations income. He listened to the veterans around him, picking out the good things they did that people liked. The first was the cancellation of the network broadcast in 1952. Indeed, entire generations have grown up on the farm conditioned to shush around the table or in the truck or across the milking parlor when Orions voice came on the radio. 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Then I realize weve got more work to do., The question Samuelson has been asked the most is, What is a frozen pork belly?. Samuelsons travels took him to 44 countries. Orion Samuelson was born on a dairy farm in Ontario, Wisconsin, near LaCrosse. Obviously the highlight of my career is the opportunity to work with farmers, ranchers and food producers because theyre my favorite people, he said. Sirott: Anyone living in the Midwest over the past six decades knows that great, big, booming voice of yours. Samuelson began his broadcasting career in Wisconsin and will officially sign off from his job at WGN radio in Chicago. Samuelson held the same position in the broadcasting industry for 60 consecutive years through 2020,[9] second only to Los Angeles Dodgers Radio Network announcer Vin Scully. At age 26, Samuelson got the call to join 50,000-watt powerhouse WGN, where he began as farm director on September 26, 1960. In fact, it might be what they like about him best. Her guest asked her, if she didn't read them, how did she know how left-wing they were? From 1975 to 2005, Samuelson also was the host of U.S. Farm Report, a weekly television news magazine dedicated to agriculture. Dairy industry works to build trust with Gen Z, 13 ways to have better conversations about ag, A bill that would kill large-scale livestock farms, Weekly grain movement: Corn exceeds expectations. It makes sense, he says. CHICAGO Becoming a successful broadcaster requires the ability to be a good listener. CHICAGO (September 24, 2020) - WGN Radio announced that legendary agribusiness broadcaster Orion Samuelson will retire on December 31, shortly after celebrating his 60th anniversary with the station. It wasnt what you would call prime farmland, he says. CHICAGO (NewsNation Now) One of the most famous voices in radio will end a remarkable 60-year career later this month. I think I should be able to, he quipped last week. Families from the city would spend the weekend on a farm and then the farmers would go into the city for a weekend.. [6], During the 1960s, Samuelson hosted an early-morning show on WGN-TV, Top 'O' the Morning, first with organist Harold Turner, then with Max Armstrong. An award-winning writer and photographer, Holly is past president of the American Agricultural Editors Association. Armstrong was full-time with WGN Radio for 32 years until 2009. And he championed the farmers cause. But even 60 years later, you can hear awe in his familiar baritone. I read about this in the encyclopedia, but now Im standing here looking at it. WGN Radio personality Bob Sirott sat down with Samuelson for a trip down memory lane. His early work was based in Wisconsin and he was working in Green Bay when his big break came and he headed south to Chicago in 1960 to work at WGN Radio where he served as head agriculture broadcaster, presenting16 agricultural reports daily. Orion Samuelson and his wife, Gloria, rode in the local parade as Grand Marshal on the final day of the festival. Orion Samuelson was just 27 years old when he made his way up North Michigan Avenue, striding toward the Tribune Tower. Her work in agricultural media has been recognized by the Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Corn, Illinois Council on Agricultural Education and MidAmerica Croplife Association. Hell retire from WGN Radio at the end of this month, recording a landmark 60 years on WGN and creating original television programs such as U.S. WGN Radio personality Bob Sirott sat down with Samuelson for a trip down memory lane. She spotted early signs of a serious illness one day in 2004, during a television broadcast. Orion Samuelson(/rin/OR-ee-n; born March 31, 1934) is a retired American broadcaster, known for his agriculture broadcasts and his ability to explain agribusinessand food production in an understandable way. Simple country hospitality has always gone a long way, Max says. Number 8860726. And today theyre the biggest producer and the biggest exporter of soybeans. Parent PLUS loans offer limited relief options but some borrowers can still access lower monthly payments, loan forgiveness and more. Last night, apropos of little to nothing, one of the hosts intoned that The New York Times and The Washington Post were far too left-wing for her to read. Since July 2009, Armstrong has been director of broadcasting for Farm Progress. I think that a lot of people recognize that without agricultural trade, we would be in far worse condition because our farmers produce so much more than we can consume. "He loved a wicked joke, a good game & a strong gimlet. Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. He currently co-hosts (with associate Max Armstrong) the Morning Show on Saturdays. The self-described "unknown cow milker from western Wisconsin" was born on a dairy farm near LaCrosse, and got his start on radio stations in Sparta, Appleton and Green Bay. Samuelson: Yeah, without a doubt. Thats what I did and it took me a couple of weeks to convince Max to make the move from Bloomington to Chicago. He has has served on the National 4-H Council Board of Trustees and in 2017 began working with the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation to raise $500,000 to support livestock programming. Fox says disease is getting tougher, These were the deadliest national parks of 2022, List of most expensive ZIP codes released, These are the cheapest days of the week to buy gas, Correspondents Dinner requires balance: Comics, Oklahoma students attend star-studded Christian revival, Expert: Some bright spots in spring housing market, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. This job changed the direction of my career immensely.. The pair were married in 2001. "We will celebrate his life, but are taking time to figure out the best way. Samuelson received a custom-engraved Norwegian horse plaque to commemorate the occasion from presidents of the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, the Wisconsin Soybean Association, the Wisconsin Agri-Services Association and the Wisconsin Pork Association. The show moved to Chicago's WGN-AM, with Orion Samuelson as the show's host, until it finally left the air in 1968. [2], Many of those living in the Midwest over the past six decades remember the big, booming voice of Orion Samuelson that explained the business of agriculture and food production in an understandable way. He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2003. Samuelson: Thats probably one of the biggest compliments I get from city listeners in Chicago or suburbs or other cities who say, I didnt know what soybeans were. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Group Inc. | All Rights Reserved. "[10], For 22 years, Armstrong contributed his time as an appointed Fire Commissioner in the Western Suburbs of Chicago. Sirott: I imagine you still milking cows while youre in broadcasting. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. She began her career with Prairie Farmer just before graduating from the University of Illinois in agricultural communications. So Id get up in the morning and Id help dad milk cows. Max Armstrong was named an Honorary Master Farmer in 2018 by Prairie Farmer Magazine. She currently serves as editor of Prairie Farmer magazine and Executive Editor for Farm Progress, managing editorial staff at six magazines throughout the eastern Corn Belt. Perfect for elementary students, homeschoolers, and libraries! "The Big O," as he's known around the station, will continue to deliver five or six daily business reports for WGN until he hangs up the mic and rides off into the sunset with his wife Gloria. April 24, 2023 / 10:16 AM / CBS Detroit. But times and tastes changed, and in early 1960, ABC bought WLS and converted it to a rock-and-roll station. At WBAY, he crossed paths with a fellow ag communicator named. His final broadcast on WGN was the noon business report on December 31, 2020.[16][3]. The new routes will shave off 40,000 miles and 6,000 minutes of travel time annually, according to the FAA. She currently serves on the Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation, the U of I Agricultural Communications Advisory committee, and is an advisory board member for the U of I College of ACES Research Station at Monmouth. Dont make a mountain out of this lets wait and see what weve got was his approach to crises large and small. Registered in England and Wales. Last . It was Sept. 26, 1960, and as he headed toward his first day on the job at WGN, a singular thought ran through his head. He has two children. He has since retired from that position, with John Phipps replacing him. [1] He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Famein 2003. On 97.1 on Monday, the station's programming was one long, emotional tribute to Samuelsen, starting with Stone and Heather Park in the morning, and carrying over to Doug Karsch and Scott Anderson in middays. That I could explain the strange business of agriculture and food production in a way that was understandable, and that I was a good guy and a good listener. Max Armstrong (born June 13, 1953, Owensville, Indiana) is an American agriculture broadcaster from Chicago, Illinois. "The Big O," as he's known, will continue to deliver five or six daily business . In addition to hosting his signature farm reports on radio and TV, and anchoring "The Noon Show" from 1960 to 2003, Samuelson emceed "The National Barn Dance" and read the first bulletin on the air of President John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963. Samuelson, 81, veteran agriculture-business reporter for Tribune Media news/talk WGN AM 720, underwent the procedure Monday at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Published in La Salle, Illinois, USA, by Shaw Media. We dont quote the frozen pork belly market any more, but my quick answer to that question is, if you had a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich today, you had a frozen pork belly, Samuelson said. You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. His early work was based in Wisconsin, at WKLJ in Sparta, WHBY in Appleton, and WBAY-TV/AM in Green Bay. I think whats worked so well for us is that were different enough to really complement each other, Max says. The money-saving move of starting at a community college rarely works as planned. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. They also spend about five weeks a year at their home in Scottsdale, Ariz. It was devastating. Samuelson was working at WBAY in Green Bay, Wisconsin, when Norm Kraft, WGN farm director resigned on the air. Televised "Hometown Heroes" featuring Orion Samuelson to air on NewsNation on Dec. 18. Heres how the Chicago media icon has told agricultures story. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Samuelson: Well, Ive been pleased obviously, but by the same token, Ive been stunned. He served as master of ceremonies for thousands of shows and crowned dozens of queens, using his own plane to travel efficiently. The Radio Hall of Famer had said he hoped to be back on WGN in time to celebrate his 55th anniversary with the station September 25. Orion tuned in for Bert Wilson calling Cubs games, and he listened to the National Barn Dance every Saturday night on WLS what was then the Prairie Farmer station to hear stars like Gene Autry. Thank you . Thats why I tell young people today to learn everything you can about everything and youll always have a job, Samuelson said. Samuelson: It took me and I still cant believe this, but it took me two weeks to make the decision that I would leave Green Bay and go to Chicago, because Im a country boy. A new coronavirus subvariant is starting to spread in the U.S. and, according to health experts, it could be causing an annoying symptom to return. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Later, Orion would earn an honorary doctor of letters from the U of I. "The American Farmer's Best Friend for Over Sixty Years" tells about his humble beginnings on a Wisconsin dairy farm and how his big dreams led to a Hall of Fame career in broadcasting, travels to 43 countries, dinner at the White House and, most importantly, the trust of the h
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