Throughout the 1930s, 40s and 50s, Prairie Farmer owned WLS, airing farm and rural programming such as the National Barn Dance and more. And Im looking at that building, this monument that the man built for his wife. 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. 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 result: casts, wheelchairs and crutches. You listen to the radio. Truman. Whats been your reaction to this outpouring of love for you? In 2001, Samuelson was named a Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois and received the Lincoln Medal the highest award bestowed by the State of Illinois. Moon's first wife, Seon-gil Choi, and Pastor Deok-jin Kim interviewed. The money-saving move of starting at a community college rarely works as planned. There are tens of thousands of folks who are really going to miss you. Samuelson was heard on WGN radio in Chicago for sixty years as the station's head agriculture broadcaster from 1960 through 2020. 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. The new routes will shave off 40,000 miles and 6,000 minutes of travel time annually, according to the FAA. "So many memories," he said, "and theyll be with me as long as Im around.". [3] He considered becoming a Lutheran pastor before deciding on six months of radio school. Its not for nothing that Orion is known as The Voice of Agriculture. Together, these two farm boys sat down every day in a studio in Chicago and talked about agriculture with a 50,000-watt transmitter and hundreds of networked stations, explaining pork bellies and beef demand to suburban housewives. His final broadcast on WGN was the noon business report on December 31, 2020.[16][3]. ), I dont know what happened to the guy who came in first, Orion says, laughing. The lesson I share with young people is in order to make a living talking you have got to be a good listener, said Orion Samuelson, farm broadcaster at WGN Radio. Once Samuelson started his job at WGN, it didnt take him long to realize that urban people didnt understand farmers or ranchers. The testimonies of Moon's first wife, Mrs. Seon-gil Choi, and Pastor Deok-jin Kim [who wrote 19 of the church 'Holy Songs']. If someone brought Orion fresh sweet corn or asparagus, he shared it with the engineers. American agricultural broadcast journalist, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Christmas Eve air check from Radio Hall of Fame, "Robservations: WGN Radio names Steve Alexander to succeed Orion Samuelson - Robert Feder", "Legendary agribusiness broadcaster Orion Samuelson on 60 years", "President Trump makes surprise phone call during Decatur Farm Progress Show", "Radio Hall of Fame - Orion Samuelson, Farm Broadcaster", "WGN's Orion Samuelson to have heart surgery", "Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation Board of Directors", "CME Group and NAFB Foundation to Award First-Ever Orion Samuelson Scholarship for Agricultural Communications", "Orion Samuelson to retire after 60 years at WGN Radio", "Laureates by Year - The Lincoln Academy of Illinois", Legendary agribusiness broadcaster Orion Samuelson on 60 years, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Orion_Samuelson&oldid=1105630782, Short description is different from Wikidata, BLP articles lacking sources from May 2008, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Orion Samuelson was inducted as a Laureate of, This page was last edited on 21 August 2022, at 02:59. Gloria says those are among the traits that have made him successful that and being generous with his time and talents, especially with young people. 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. CHICAGO ( NewsNation Now) One of the most famous voices in radio will end a remarkable 60-year career later this month. [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. I can recall the volume going up and our little voices being muted in my grandpas truck when Orion came on. Happy Birthday to radio legend Orion Samuelson | WGN-TV Sirott: Why have agriculture news and farm reports survived on WGN Radio in Chicago here long after that kind of broadcasting ended on other stations? 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Group Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Well known ag broadcaster Orion Samuelson will retire this month after 60 years in the field. His early work was based in Wisconsin, at WKLJ in Sparta, WHBY in Appleton, and WBAY-TV/AM in Green Bay. He wouldnt walk again for two years. WGN Radio personality Bob Sirott sat down with Samuelson for a trip down memory lane. Max Armstrong (born June 13, 1953, Owensville, Indiana) is an American agriculture broadcaster from Chicago, Illinois. Orion spent one Sunday at then-Rep. Denny Hasterts house, running through the possibilities. So, its one of those what might have been stories but I value my relationship with my wife, Orion says, laughing. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. In 2015, she became only the 10th U.S. agricultural journalist to earn the Writer of Merit designation and is a five-time winner of the top writing award for editorial opinion in U.S. agriculture. Working with Armstrong was a success, Samuelson said, because both of them are good listeners. Holly Spangler has covered Illinois agriculture for more than two decades, bringing meaningful production agriculture experience to the magazines coverage. just before graduating from the University of Illinois in agricultural communications. And then you start dreaming. All rights reserved. 00:00 Aerial shots of farmland, taken from a . 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.. You Can't Dream Big Enough: The American Farmer's Best 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. Related:Orion Samuelson: Explaining agriculture to ChicagoHow Orion became beloved in agricultureWhat Orion means on the farmMax on Orion: Champion for the American farmer. They serve with their local 4-H and FFA programs, their school district, and are active in their church's youth and music ministries. After graduation, he moved to Grinnell, Iowa, where he lives with his wife, Heidi. [2], Politically, Samuelson supported the production of ethanol fuel from corn, to help American farmers.[8]. "He loved a wicked joke, a good game & a strong gimlet. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Orion C Samuelson, 89 - Huntley, IL - Reputation & Contact Details Chronology On September 26, 1960, Orion Samuelson joined WGN Radio. You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. His surgery went well on Monday, he is out of ICU and looking forward to checking out of this luxury hotel (hospital) as soon as he gets a bit more strength back, Samuelsons wife, Gloria, wrote in an email. A montage of photos of the life and career of WGN Radio legend Orion Samuelson.For more, visit wgnradio.com/orion. 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. Sirott: When you were growing up in Wisconsin, did you have ambitions to be a broadcaster? He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2003. Orion's net worth hovers over $250,000 - $499,999 with a yearly income that's about $175 - 199,999. I tend to wait until tomorrow, but she said, Look at this now, because we dont wait, Orion recalls. But even 60 years later, you can hear awe in his familiar baritone. 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. 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. For over 60 years, Orion Samuelson has been the voice on the radio and a trusted member of the farm family. Armstrong was full-time with WGN Radio for 32 years until 2009. 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. U.S. agricultural journalist to earn the Writer of Merit designation and is a five-time winner of the top writing award for editorial opinion in U.S. agriculture. Legendary agribusiness broadcaster Orion Samuelson on 60 years 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. 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. Photos: Orion through the years | WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own 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. McDonalds is now offering its Big Mac sauce in prepackaged dipping cups but it aint free. Samuelson now hosts a similar show, This Week in Agribusiness, on RFD-TV, along with Armstrong. 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. I saw agriculture through the eyes of my TV cameraman and I had the opportunity to shake hands with people like Fidel Castro and Mikhail Gorbachev, Samuelson said. From 1975 to 2005, Samuelson also was the host of U.S. Farm Report, a weekly television news magazine dedicated to agriculture. Gloria Samuelson may get the biggest credit of all: saving Orions life. Autobiography of Orion "Big O" Samuelson, radio broadcaster on WGN in Chicago for over 50 years. Farm Progress Show annually hosts more than 600 exhibitors displaying new farm equipment, tractors, combines and farm implements; seed and crop protection products; and many additional farm supplies and services. If you dont listen to your interview guests response, you wont be able to respond with something that is knowledgeable.. [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. "I couldn't believe it was happening," he says today. CHICAGO ( NewsNation Now) One of the most famous voices in radio will end a remarkable 60-year career later this month. Parent PLUS loans offer limited relief options but some borrowers can still access lower monthly payments, loan forgiveness and more. [5], In 2001, Armstrong was named Farm Broadcaster of the Year by the NAFB. 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 transcends generations, says Cerro Gordo, Ill., farmer Jared Gregg. Thank you. Samuelson began his broadcasting career in Wisconsin and will officially sign off from his job at WGN radio in Chicago. It turns out he had a flesh-eating bacteria working on his throat. Orion Samuelson - Biography TROY, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) - A Lake Orion man hit the pavement this weekend to run a marathon for a great cause to give back to Henry Ford Health. He was cut from the same cloth as Paul Harvey. Youve educated a lot of people though, havent you? Lions head coach Matt Patricia, on his own, called into 97.1 on Monday morning to share his sympathies. An award-winning writer and photographer, Holly is past president of the American Agricultural Editors Association. He traveled with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Prime Minister of India to see the Taj Mahal. Later, Orion would earn an honorary doctor of letters from the U of I. The second is a parody of the poem " A Visit from Saint Nicholas ." Samuelsen's wife: 'Thank you for loving Jamie and celebrating the As a farm boy on a milk stool on a cold January morning in a barn in Wisconsin, I could have never dreamed I would have the opportunity to do what Ive done and meet the people Ive met.. [The 90's raw: Orion Samuelson] - Media Burn Archive Like regular Orion, Air Orion will retire soon, too. Samuelson has held the same job in the broadcasting industry for 50 consecutive years, second only to Los Angeles Dodgers Radio Network announcer Vin Scully. So Id get up in the morning and Id help dad milk cows. Samuelson's first day on the air at WGN was on September 26, 1960 at "milking time", 5 a.m., at age 26. That mildly understated assessment launched the phenomenally successful WGN career that Orion is now retiring from, 60 years later. One newscaster spent a week fathering Orion through three floors of studios, until he knew where to go and when to be there. The winner of more awards and inductee in more halls of fame than he can count, Samuelson said one of the honors he cherishes most is the honorary doctor of letters degree he received from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2001. Plant-based product fixes nitrogen for corn, Report provides rangeland carbon market insight, Kansas State University veterinarian shares tips to prepare cattle for summer, Commodity Classic offers look at latest in ag equipment, tech, Orion Samuelson: Explaining agriculture to Chicago, Max on Orion: Champion for the American farmer. At WBAY, he crossed paths with a fellow ag communicator named. "Thank you for loving Jamie and celebrating the goodness in him," McDonald wrote on Twitter. Her work in agricultural media has been recognized by the Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Corn, Illinois Council on Agricultural Education and MidAmerica Croplife Association. The rest of the tape follows Orion Samuelson (who created and hosted U.S. Farm Report for WGN Radio AM-720), at the 1991 Farm Progress Show in Dalton City, IL. On December 9th 2010 the southwest corner of E. Illinois Street & N. Cityfront Plaza Drive was named 'Orion Samuelson Way' by the city of Chicago. Orion was bridging the gap between the farm and the city before anyone else in the country thought about it., The first time I heard Max do the Farm Bureau reports, I said to my producer that if we ever need to get an associate at WGN farm department, Im going to call him, Samuelson recalled. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. Her work in agricultural media has been recognized by the Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Corn, Illinois Council on Agricultural Education and MidAmerica Croplife Association. My buddies in the military can never understand why in the world the First Infantry Division It used to be in a compilation of news bloopers from the 70s and/or 80s, but I can't find it anymore. We would talk about trade with China. Orion Samuelson - Wikipedia He met McDonald when she worked at Fox 2 and was producing for Bill Bonds, and the couple had three children,Caroline, 16, Josh, 14, and Catherine, 11. [13], On November 1, 2012, Samuelson published his autobiography "You Cant Dream Big Enough" was published by Bantry Bay Media. It was devastating. 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. Samuelsen died Saturday night at the age of 48, surroundedby McDonald and their three children. Informa Markets, a trading division of Informa PLC. announced his diagnosis and that he'd been battling the disease for 19 months, Wojo:Jamie Samuelsen brought out all the goodness, in radio and in life, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. This page was last edited on 20 November 2022, at 09:03. A. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Memorials may be made to Heartland. Feder: Orion Samuelson to retire after 60 years at WGN Radio - Daily Herald "How do you say goodbye to a man who made everyone feel like a friend?". Orion Samuelson was just 27 years old when he made his way up North Michigan Avenue, striding toward the Tribune Tower. Today, Samuelson and his wife live about 50 miles west of Chicago. He was born on March 31, 1934 in . Max Armstrong joined Orion at WGN in 1977, and as they spent the next 43 years together on air, they developed a seamless rapport. 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. Published in La Salle, Illinois, USA, by Shaw Media. On the eve of his 60th anniversary as the booming voice of agriculture and business at WGN 720-AM, Orion Samuelson says it's time to retire from the Nexstar Media Group news/talk station. The scholarship is presented to a college student seeking a career in agricultural communications. 'It's been quite a career': Samuelson retires after 60 - AgriNews Max Armstrong (born June 13, 1953, Owensville, Indiana) is an American agriculture broadcaster from Chicago, Illinois. 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. Samuelson was born on a dairy farm in Ontario, Wisconsin, near LaCrosse. According to his impressive resume, Samuelson is the only broadcaster to receive two Oscars in Agriculture from the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Join Brad Montague for a Fantastic Journey into the Bureau of It makes sense, he says. [9], In 2015, Armstrong published his first book, titled "Stories from the Heartland. The man continues to repeat the introduction until Orion continues. On the eve of his 60th anniversary as the booming voice of agriculture and business at WGN 720-AM, Orion Samuelson . Max and Orion spent 31 years together on WGN, until Max left in 2009 to join Farm Progress. I read about this in the encyclopedia, but now Im standing here looking at it. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. In the clip the announcer says, "Now, here's Orion Samuelson," but Orion seems not to have heard! Ag broadcaster Orion Samuelson will sign off after 60-year career 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. 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. The farm broadcaster duo also assisted with Farm Visit Sundays which was organized by the University of Illinois Extension. Max Armstrong was named an Honorary Master Farmer in 2018 by Prairie Farmer Magazine. He has two children. I think you should do it, Orion recalls. His big booming voice was heard daily on 260 radio stations with his National Farm Report and on 110 stations with his Samuelson Sez. He co-hosted the Morning Show on Saturdays and currently hosts This Week in Agribusiness on RFD-TV. Thats what I did and it took me a couple of weeks to convince Max to make the move from Bloomington to Chicago. In 2015, she became only the 10. He is best known for his association with WGN Radio in Chicago, serving as the station's head agriculture broadcaster since 1960. 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. "When I made the drive in my 1949 blue Chrysler New Yorker 60 years ago, I was very uncertain about what I was getting into, because I was a farm kid [thinking], What will I do in the big city?. All rights reserved. Few partnerships in agriculture are as easily recognized as that of Max and Orion again, by first names only. Orion Samuelson - Age, Birthday, Biography & Facts | HowOld.co Armstrong also was awarded an Alum Certificate of Distinction from the College of Agriculture and a Sagamore of the Wabash, given by the Governor of Indiana. Cause I didnt think I was very important and then somebody said 60 years. We operate in different ways. Thank you . In addition to that, Ive interviewed nine presidents, including George H.W. Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. In the 1960s, Samuelson hosted an early-morning show on WGN-TV, Top 'O' the Morning, first with organist Harold Turner, then with Armstrong. All rights reserved. He was a good guy and a good listener.[3]. I just wasn't getting what I wanted, which was broadcasting. He currently co-hosts (with associate Max Armstrong) the Morning Show on Saturdays. It would also be the last first day Orion Samuelson would ever have. That's because he'd dropped out as an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin at Madison after only three months. Orion and his first wife adopted two children, David and Katheryn. In 2010, the City of Chicago named the corner of Illinois Street and Cityfront Plaza Drive Orion Samuelson Way.. Orion Samuelson and his wife, Gloria, were kind enough to allow me to introduce myself and even pose for a quick picture. Richard Samuelson Obituary (1927 - 2021) - Moline, IA - The Rock Island If a story is worth doing, then check your facts and make sure you do it right, Jim would tell me.. Samuelson: No, I didnt, but, circumstances, leg disease that made it impossible to do heavy work. 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. Few partnerships in agriculture are as easily recognized as that of Max and Orion again, by first names only. I couldnt believe it was happening, he says today. WGN Radio's Orion Samuelson has graced airwaves throughout the heartland in places across the Midwest and beyond. They plan to divide their time between homes in west suburban Huntley and Scottsdale, Arizona. Orion Samuelson to retire after 60 years at WGN Radio She was named an AAEA Master Writer in 2005. It feels like a fairy tale! I dont like conspiracy theories. But mainly, hes told agricultures story from downtown Chicago, where he became a media icon and a beloved hall of fame broadcaster. WGN Radio's Orion Samuelson has graced airwaves throughout the heartland in places across the Midwest and beyond. Thats why I tell young people today to learn everything you can about everything and youll always have a job, Samuelson said. Luckily for farmers, Samuelson had once considered becoming a Lutheran pastor before heading off to radio school. 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. Orion is now single. Sun-Times editor Chris Fusco leaving for California news startup, 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. The Republicans were looking for someone to run against Democratic Senate candidate Barack Obama. CHICAGO (NewsNation Now) One of the most famous voices in radio will end a remarkable 60-year career later this month.
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