Well known ag broadcaster Orion Samuelson will retire this month after 60 years in the field. [12], Samuelson serves as a Board Member Emeritus for the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation (IALF) having previously served as chairman of the board. The first is a short musical number (in thirty-two-bar form) in which Yogi shops for his wife and, considering buying a nightgown for his wife but not knowing her size, opts to buy her a carpet sweeper as his gift to her. I walked into the studio and I thought, Im working with some big names at a big radio station veterans and theyre going to ignore me! But they did just the opposite, he says, laughing. "Well go back and forth to Arizona and not have to worry about setting the alarm clock and making sure Im ready for the next report," he said. It took me about two weeks to decide to accept the WGN job and it scares me to think it took that long to join a station like WGN, said Samuelson, who retired from WGN on Dec. 31. The Tigers on Sunday held a moment of silence. And thats OK. Samuelson hosted a similar show, This Week in Agribusiness, along with his longtime collaborator Max Armstrong, until his retirement, and continues to make occasional commentaries on that show with Armstrong as host. Samuelson: No, I didnt, but, circumstances, leg disease that made it impossible to do heavy work. In addition to its syndication run, the show is broadcast on RFD-TV. McDonald posted to Twitter on Monday afternoon, her first post since Samuelsen went on the air a week ago and announced his diagnosis and that he'd been battling the disease for 19 months. Number 8860726. Orion Samuelson and his wife, Gloria, were kind enough to allow me to introduce myself and even pose for a quick picture. Orion Samuelson, 86, will retire from WGN-AM/Chicago after 60 years with the Nexstar Media Group's News/Talk outlet, reports Chicago media columist Robert Feder. Orion and I played a significant role in helping publicize that which happened 45 or 50 years ago., Its a remarkable thing that Orion has been on the air at the same station in a major market in the U.S. for 60 years, Armstrong stressed. WGN Radio Names Reporter Steve Alexander To Take Over for Orion You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. In 2015, she became only the 10. These stories were also translated into Max Armstrong's Tractor App, launched in 2013. The first was the cancellation of the network broadcast in 1952. Even farmers dont work that long in a lot of cases and here you are still getting up early and doing what youve done for the last well, since 1952. All rights reserved. Over the past six decades, Samuelson said, he has worked with some of the greatest broadcast people, including Wally Phillips, Bob Collins and Spike ODell. Please help me find a news bloopers with Orion Samuelson Orions realm is in the city with the movers and shakers.. The scholarship is presented to a college student seeking a career in agricultural communications. Max Armstrong - Wikipedia [1], Armstrong's first job out of college was for the Illinois Farm Bureau as a Broadcast Editor, which was where he met Orion Samuelson. Read full biography, Yes, Orion Samuelson is still alive Politically, Samuelson is a significant supporter of the use of ethanol fuel as derived from corn, as he feels its use will help American farmers. Samuelson received a specially 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. Last check: 1 year ago. His early work was based in Wisconsin, at WKLJ in Sparta, WHBY in Appleton, and WBAY-TV/AM in Green Bay. The result: casts, wheelchairs and crutches. [1] Broadcast History [ edit] Armstrong's first job out of college was for the Illinois Farm Bureau as a Broadcast Editor, which was where he met Orion Samuelson. "We will celebrate his life, but are taking time to figure out the best way. One time I was at a White House dinner to honor Norman Borlaug. Reverence, always. Chicago radio legend Orion Samuelson is out of intensive care and recovering from heart-valve replacement surgery, his wife said Wednesday. The University of Illinois presented Samuelson with the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters. And then you start dreaming. Samuelson Named Grand Marshal of 2016 Pumpkin Festival On New Year's Day 2017, Orion will be alongside the Rose Parade route to co-host with Pam Minick RFD-TV's live coverage of the parade on January 1. Orion says he tried to pass along two pieces of advice to his children: Always be honest in what you do, and speak your thoughts, but dont let politics or religion destroy relationships. The family farm includes Johns parents and their three children. They also spend about five weeks a year at their home in Scottsdale, Ariz. That was the latest tribute to Samuelsen, whose death made news outlets across the country, and drew sympathies from many dignitaries in the sports community, including all four Detroit major sports teams. Hes originated broadcasts from all 50 states and 44 countries. If a story is worth doing, then check your facts and make sure you do it right, Jim would tell me.. CHICAGO (December 17, 2020) - WGN Radio announced that reporter Steve Alexander will assume responsibilities from agribusiness broadcaster Orion Samuelson beginning in January. Samuelsen missed significant time over the last month as the diagnosis got worse. And it, I think, became pretty well known to most people that agriculture was indeed a contributor to the nations income. We would talk about trade with China. Samuelson: And I did! He has since retired from that position, with John Phipps replacing him. An award-winning writer and photographer, Holly is past president of the American Agricultural Editors Association. Monticello, Ind., farmer Brian Scott says his grandpa said the same thing after nearly every lunch: Orion said . Her work in agricultural media has been recognized by the Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Corn, Illinois Council on Agricultural Education and MidAmerica Croplife Association. From meeting with government officials and dignitaries around the world to serving as a mentor to young men and women preparing for careers in agriculture. "[10], For 22 years, Armstrong contributed his time as an appointed Fire Commissioner in the Western Suburbs of Chicago. I was the youngest at the radio station by nine years, he recalled. WGN Radio personality Bob Sirott sat down with Samuelson for a trip down memory lane. Sirott: What would you like the first sentence in your Wikipedia entry to say about you? You cant respond to someone until you listen to them, and you cant ask the right questions until you learn where theyre coming from. Thats a lesson we should all learn, he adds quietly. Kate Sullivan so grateful for CBS 2 run, My childhood dream became the honor of a lifetime, Robservations: Sun-Times moving to Old Post Office; ABC 7 opens weekend anchor slot; Medill tracks local news decline, Robservations: StreetWise raises cover price; Sventoonie takes a break; Friends of Chicago Reporter mark 50. In fact, it might be what they like about him best. Obviously the highlight of my career is the opportunity to work with farmers, ranchers and food producers because theyre my favorite people, he said. In those early years at WGN, on both radio and live television, Orion honed his craft and his on-air work, including his signature pronunciation of the word ag-er-a-cul-ture, with a few extra syllables. Holly Spangler has covered Illinois agriculture for more than two decades, bringing meaningful production agriculture experience to the magazines coverage. The voice of farm radio | Business | lacrossetribune.com All rights reserved. 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. [10][11] In 2014 he was awarded the VERITAS award by American Agri-Women (AAW) Organization. A beloved hall of fame broadcaster and Chicago media icon if there ever was one, Samuelson, 86, informed his bosses hell bow out at the end of the year. "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 hard working men and . Join Brad Montague for a Fantastic Journey into the Bureau of The Wisconsin farm boy got a lot of surprises in Chicago, including flattened tires for parking in the wrong spot and a missed market report or two, thanks to slow elevators in the Tribune Tower. Armstrong was full-time with WGN Radio for 32 years until 2009. The hall of fame broadcaster and Chicago media icon says he'll end his run at the end of the year. Published in La Salle, Illinois, USA, by Shaw Media. PDF Interview with Orion Samuelson AIS-V-L-2009-002 At the time, Samuelson credited 4-H with igniting his passion for agriculture and his first experiences with public speaking, ultimately leading to his broadcasting career. This would turn out to be his trademark generosity, as he mentored dozens of young broadcasters and interns over the coming decades. [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. Like regular Orion, Air Orion will retire soon, too. Orion Samuelson was born on a dairy farm in Ontario, Wisconsin, near LaCrosse. I couldnt believe it was happening, he says today. The bronze plaque is in the sidewalk outside the Tribune Tower studios at 435 North Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Samuelson was born on a dairy farm in Ontario, Wisconsin, near LaCrosse. I told him Ive done it and you can do it, too., Orion is one of the hardest working people youll every run into he has a tremendous work ethic, Armstrong said. He also made history by being the first agribusiness broadcaster to be inducted into the National Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame. WGN Radio personality Bob Sirott sat down with Samuelson for a trip down memory lane. On the lighter side, Samuelson and a studio group dubbed the "Uff da Band" once recorded covers of Yogi Yorgesson's novelty songs I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas and Yingle Bells. [8], On This Week in Agribusiness, Armstrong has a segment "Max's Tractor Shed," which features vintage tractors sent in by viewers. I dont like conspiracy theories. "Thank you for loving Jamie and celebrating the goodness in him," McDonald wrote on Twitter. Max Armstrong's Tractor App received a Best of NAMA award, along with awards from the American Agricultural Editors' Association and American Web Design awards. During his over 60 years as a farm broadcaster,. The testimonies of Moon's first wife, Mrs. Seon-gil Choi, and Pastor Deok-jin Kim [who wrote 19 of the church 'Holy Songs']. Televised "Hometown Heroes" featuring Orion Samuelson to air on NewsNation on Dec. 18. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. COVID-19 has complicated traditional funerals. He served as master of ceremonies for thousands of shows and crowned dozens of queens, using his own plane to travel efficiently. Holly Spangler has covered Illinois agriculture for more than two decades, bringing meaningful production agriculture experience to the magazines coverage. Armstrong was a member of NAFB for 40 years before being elected president. "So I think Ill find things to do.". If you eat, youre involved in agriculture is the line hes used thousands of times at such events. Wind noise is frequently loud on the tape. Orion immediately set to work shaping WGNs farm programming after he aired up his tires and mastered the elevators, of course. He didnt find what he as looking for there, though, and within a few weeks, he transferred to the American Institute of the Air in Minneapolis, a six-month program that promised a radio broadcasting certificate. He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2003. The disease told my father who probably would have passed the farm on to me, but it told him that I couldnt do the heavy work of farming so I better find something else. 00:00 Aerial shots of farmland, taken from a . 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. Tuesdays comment of the day: Irv Leavitt: I have recently developed the lazy habit of leaving WGN Radio on after a White Sox game, and I've been treated to product that varies from relatively intelligent to downright maddening. For 42 years, Max Armstrong and Orion Samuelson have partnered together, first on WGN radio, and later on the TV Show U.S. Farm Report, until creating the show This Week in Agribusiness.[1]. Sirott: You had to be pinching yourself at times along the way? Luckily for farmers, Samuelson had once considered becoming a Lutheran pastor before heading off to radio school. Informa Markets, a trading division of Informa PLC. It is the dying refrain of a completed song, the final verse of a finished poem.Andr Maurois (18851967). David is retired from a career as a trader on the Chicago Board of Trade and has two children of his own, and Katheryn is in the restaurant business. ), I dont know what happened to the guy who came in first, Orion says, laughing. Parent PLUS loans offer limited relief options but some borrowers can still access lower monthly payments, loan forgiveness and more. 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. He is best known for his association with WGN Radio in Chicago, serving as the station's head agriculture broadcaster since 1960. Samuelson was heard on WGN radio in Chicago for sixty years as the station's head agriculture broadcaster from 1960 through 2020. Orion Samuelson to retire after 60 years at WGN Radio His final broadcast on WGN was the noon business report on December 31, 2020.[16][3]. He is a part-time farmer and has experience as a banker with an emphasis on agriculture and residential lending.. He drove home every weekend to be a polka music disc jockey. That mildly understated assessment launched the phenomenally successful WGN career that Orion is now retiring from, 60 years later. updated October 9, 2020 (Her name, can also be written Sun-kil Choi, Sun Kil Choi or Choi Sun-kil but that is not so accurate.) [14], In 2014 the CME Group and the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Foundation announced the inaugural recipient of the Orion Samuelson Scholarship ($5,000) for a senior at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Once Samuelson started his job at WGN, it didnt take him long to realize that urban people didnt understand farmers or ranchers. Other people hear it differently than I do, thank God! 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 the world of agriculture, Orion Samuelson is a rock star, and to Orion tonight we say, "Happy Birthday!" Orion has been on WGN Radio for more than 53 of his 80 years, so WGN's Steve. Cause I didnt think I was very important and then somebody said 60 years. 'It's been quite a career': Samuelson retires after 60 - AgriNews Samuelsen was a native of suburban San Francisco and attended college at Northwestern, before arriving in Detroit. While at WGN radio in Chicago, the "Big O"covered agriculture and food production, met with U.S. presidents, travelled to dozens of countries, and encountered many foreign dignitaries, all while reporting on the contributions of American agriculture to the U.S. and world economy. Samuelson out, Pearson steps in - Times Gazette in 2005. If you dont listen to your interview guests response, you wont be able to respond with something that is knowledgeable.. WGN Radio's Orion Samuelson has graced airwaves throughout the heartland in places across the Midwest and beyond. Thank you . "I couldn't believe it was happening," he says today. Payday lenders operate in 32 states, and about 12 million Americans use payday loans each year. Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. Sirott: Orion, judging by all the listeners whove been calling us in the morning, people dont care how old you are. Orion Samuelson | WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own Everyone loved him the engineers and everyone behind the scenes, he describes. CHICAGO ( NewsNation Now) One of the most famous voices in radio will end a remarkable 60-year career later this month. From 1975 to 2005, Samuelson was the host of U.S. Farm Report, a weekly television news magazine dedicated to agriculture. Then I realize weve got more work to do., The question Samuelson has been asked the most is, What is a frozen pork belly?. But even 60 years later, you can hear awe in his familiar baritone. Samuelson: The biggest change, besides technology, it would be the fact that agriculture is international because when I started in the business, South America, Brazil, wasnt even in the soybean situation. 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. Sirott: Well, Orion congratulations. A. Madonna. Orion Samuelson - A life in photos - YouTube Memorials may be made to Heartland. Shes a beautiful lady and a beautiful partner, he says. Good health and happiness to you and to Gloria. 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. Private burial will be held at Western Township Cemetery. After all, I am Norwegian. That teacher, Robert Gehring, went far out of his way to help a kid who really needed to catch a break. The man continues to repeat the introduction until Orion continues. CHICAGO (NewsNation Now) One of the most famous voices in radio will end a remarkable 60-year career later this month. So I should recover very quickly.. Manage Settings Orion Samuelson - Biography Tornado flips cars, damages homes in coastal Florida city, What to know about tick, Lyme disease season, Rolling Fork on long road to recovery after tornado devastation, Floodwaters threaten to drown small California town, Experimental water release to continue Lake Mead rise, Bizarre weather becoming more common, according to NASA research, Legendary agribusiness broadcaster Orion Samuelson to retire in December, Some could see northern lights again: Here's where, Expert Q&A: Where Bryan Kohberger, Lori Vallow cases stand, No Mow May: Why experts say to delay mowing your lawn, Sending National Guard to SF is 'politicking:' former officer, Set of quadruplets set to graduate togehter, Texas gunman still at large, authorities have zero leads, FAA launches faster, more direct flight paths on East Coast, In debt from your kid's education? In addition to working with farmers and ranchers, Orion Samuelson has also been involved with activities outside of the agricultural industry, including emceeing at the Tournament of Roses Parade with co-host Pam Minick. His career led him to have dinner at the White House and travel to 43 countries [4] including Cuba, where he shook hands with Fidel Castro, Moscow where he met with Mikhail Gorbachev, and England to broadcast live from the Royal Agricultural Show (aka Royal Show). His early work was based in Wisconsin, at WKLJ in Sparta, WHBY in Appleton, and WBAY-TV/AM in Green Bay. I think you should do it, Orion recalls. She also had high praise for his care at University of Chicago. He traveled with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Prime Minister of India to see the Taj Mahal. You Can't Dream Big Enough: The American Farmer's Best WLS had converted to "The Station With Personality" and started playing rock 'n' roll. Orion Samuelson - Wikipedia Samuelson considered becoming a Lutheran pastor before deciding on six months of radio school. Orion is one of agricultures few celebrities, known to millions by his first name only, like Cher. Thats why I titled my book, You Cant Dream Big Enough, Samuelson said about his book published in 2012. Bush, who invited me to join him at the White House studio for the interview.. When they went on remote broadcasts, he included them in dinners. Legendary agribusiness broadcaster Orion Samuelson on 60 years Orion Samuelson, 86, informed his bosses he'll retire at the end of the year. It turns out he had a flesh-eating bacteria working on his throat. DePue: I must tell you that I've got a military background. There are options, 'Stranger than fiction': Tick bite may cause allergy, How to get out of a payday loan nightmare. 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. And he championed the farmers cause. I would, I would like that a lot. He was the voice on the radio but part of the farm family. You Can't Dream Big Enough - Goodreads Orion Samuelson - Age, Birthday, Biography & Facts | HowOld.co Orion Samuelson AIS-V-L-2009-002 3 those sermons, never thinking that I'd someday be working (laughs) in the same studios that the Colonel was in. But, this is like the time when the conspiracy theory came true. said one researcher. 2023 www.detroitnews.com. 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. Farm Report in 1975 andThis Week in AgriBusinessin 2005. There was a time we were doing 190 broadcasts per week on WGN Radio and the television show, This Week in AgriBusiness, so we were busy boys.. 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. But inside WGN, his new colleagues welcomed him into the family. During his over 60 years as a farm broadcaster, Samuelson interviewed nine presidents and traveled to 44 countries. After high school, Orion headed to the University of Wisconsin on a scholarship, determined to learn how to be a radio announcer. In 2017, Max Armstrong was elected President of the NAFB. In some ways, Orion Samuelsons life sounds like a fairy tale: Farm boy makes it big in the big city, travels the world and meets presidents. [1] He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Famein 2003. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Samuelsen worked in the Detroit sports-media landscape since 1994, at a variety of radio stations, but most notable WDFN 1130The Fan and WXYT 97.1 The Ticket. Orion Samuelson is an American broadcaster most widely known for hosting U. S. Farm Report. Reliable and true., And quotable. Feder: Orion Samuelson to retire after 60 years at WGN Radio - Daily Herald He will be turning 90 in only 335 days from today (01 May, 2023). "I dont know how many broadcasters have been around for 60 or more years, so I dont know if its that much of a milestone.". And I cant write. WGN Radio's Orion Samuelson has graced airwaves throughout the heartland in places across the Midwest and beyond. Get an exclusive peek behind the scenes of The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination. Chronology , who would go on to found the agricultural communications program at the University of Illinois. Orion Samuelson is a 89 years old American broadcaster from . Kathryn Samuelson, Judith Samuelson, Gloria Samuelson, James Warren and Lois Long, and many others are family members and associates of Orion. December 31st will be my last time on the air at WGN, Samuelson told me Tuesday. He went one further when he got Orion into public speaking contests. Working with Armstrong was a success, Samuelson said, because both of them are good listeners. Legendary agribusiness broadcaster Orion Samuelson on 60 years The engineers, stage hands and people on the air liked Orion, so it was much easier for me being the kid coming on board to slide right in because I was welcomed just by working with Orion.. Celebrating 60 Years of Orion SamuelsonAudio|Video|PhotosEmail|Voicemail|Scholarship. His early work was based in Wisconsin, at WKLJ in Sparta, WHBY in Appleton, and WBAY-TV/AM in Green Bay. "The Big O," as he's known, will continue to deliver five or six daily business . Samuelson was working at WBAY in Green Bay, Wisconsin, when Norm Kraft, WGN farm director resigned on the air. There were host farms in northern Illinois that opened on Sundays for consumers to visit, Armstrong said.

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