BYRON MACGREGOR AWARD – Best Newscast (Radio)
The RTNDA Byron MacGregor Award goes to the “Best
Radio Newscast” and was named after the man who is
a legend in broadcast newsrooms across Canada and
the United States. Born Gary Lachlan Mack in Calgary,
Byron died in 1995 at age 46.
His name evokes thoughts of hard-hitting, colourful journalism and feelings
of patriotism and pride. Under his leadership in CKLW “The Big 8” in
Windsor/Detroit, the “20-20” style of radio news was born. He has been
referred to as the “rock and roll version of Walter Winchell.”
But it wasn’t all radio work for Byron. The award-winning journalist (RTNDA,
AP, UPI, etc.) became the first newsman to simultaneously anchor the
prime time newscasts for WWJ Newsradio and WKBD-TV in Detroit.
Byron was also well known for his recording of “The Americans”, which
was originally a commentary written and broadcast by Gordon Sinclair of
CFRB Toronto. Byron’s version of the patriotic narrative was recorded
with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. It topped the charts when it was
originally released in 1973, did so again in 1991 during the Gulf War and
most recently in 2001 following the 9-11 attacks on America. Dubbed “the
greatest flag-waving success since Kate Smith,” the record has sold more
than 3-and-a-half million copies with all proceeds donated to the American
Red Cross.
Noted for his extensive charitable work in the U.S. and Canada, Byron
received many humanitarian awards and citations from the American Legion
and Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. In 1997, he
posthumously received the “International Freedom Award,” recognizing his
outstanding contributions to the cause of freedom and peace, international
friendship, understanding and cooperation. He joined the list of past
honourees that include John Diefenbaker, Lester Pearson, John F. Kennedy
and Gerald Ford.
Nominated for induction into the Radio Hall of Fame, Byron was the brother
of former RTNDA Canada President Hudson Mack and the husband of
broadcaster Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor, the first female helicopter traffic and
news reporter in the U.S. while at CKLW.
This is a regional and network Award based on Market Size - Small, Medium and Large.
Market Size is applicable to regional entries only.
Maximum length - 30 minutes.
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