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Orion "The Big O" Samuelson (first name pronounced OR-ee-uhn) (born March 31, 1934 in La Crosse, Wisconsin) is an American broadcaster, most widely known for hosting U.S. Farm Report. He was inducted in to the Radio Hall of Fame in 2003.[1]
His early work was based in Wisconsin; working at WKLJ in Sparta, WHBY in Appleton, and WBAY-TV/AM in Green Bay. He is best known for his association with WGN Radio in Chicago, serving as the station's head agriculture broadcaster since 1960. Three years into his tenure at WGN, he was the staffer on air that read the news of the John F. Kennedy assassination. He currently co-hosts, along with his associate Max Armstrong, the Morning Show on Saturdays. In addition, he also hosts a three-minute daily "National Farm Report" and a weekly commentary, "Samuelson Sez," both of which are syndicated to various stations across the country through Tribune Broadcasting's Tribune Radio Network.[1]
In the 1960s he hosted an early morning television show on WGN-TV called "Top 'O' the Morning" first with co-host and organist Harold Turner then later with Armstrong. From 1975 to 2005, Samuelson was also the host of U.S. Farm Report, a weekly television news magazine dedicated to agriculture. He has since retired from that position and John Phipps has taken his place. He now hosts a similar show, This Week in Agribusiness, on RFD-TV, along with Armstrong.[1]
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.[citation needed]
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".
Samuelson has held the same job in the broadcasting industry for 49 years, currently the third-longest streak behind Bob Barker and Vin Scully. Samuelson will pass Barker some time in 2010 to earn second place.
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Awards
- Radio Hall of Fame, 2003[1]
- American Farm Bureau's Distinguished Service Award, 1998[1]
- 4-H Alumni Award[1]
- Oscar[1]
Listen to
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Samuelson Bio". Radio Hall of Fame. http://www.radiohof.org/newstalk/orionsamuelson.html.
External links
- Samuelson Sez - Weekly commentary
- Tribune Radio Network
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