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For over 60 years, Orion Samuelson has been the voice on the radio and a trusted member of the farm family. Last . Check Background Get Contact Info This Is Me - Edit Reputation & Background View All He has since retired from that position, with John Phipps replacing him. The warmth, concern and attention to every need is nothing short of outstanding, she wrote. The show moved to Chicago's WGN-AM, with Orion Samuelson as the show's host, until it finally left the air in 1968. Orion through his work ethic, knowledge and personality had earned the respect of the people there and that helped me immensely when I came on board, he said. 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. WGN Radio's Orion Samuelson has graced airwaves throughout the heartland in places across the Midwest and beyond. In addition, the farm broadcaster also met several stars including Sophia Loren, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. "How do you say goodbye to a man who made everyone feel like a friend?". Thats a lesson we should all learn, he adds quietly. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. As a kid, Orion served as "that voice on the radio" that I became . [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. 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. You Can't Dream Big Enough - Goodreads They still do a one-hour radio show together every Saturday at 5a.m., and they partner on This Week in AgriBusiness, airing on television stations nationwide and on RFD-TV. ", Now Samuelson looks back on a splendid career he never could have imagined. Orion spent one Sunday at then-Rep. Denny Hasterts house, running through the possibilities. 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. 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. Chronology The feeling is mutual. 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. If you dont listen to your interview guests response, you wont be able to respond with something that is knowledgeable.. The University of Illinois also presented Samuelson with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters. Experts warn symptom may return with new COVID strain, 'Waste of time': Community college transfers hit students, Texas baseball player hit by gunfire during game, With Title 42 set to end, White House braces for surge of migrants, Michael J. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. But mainly, hes told agricultures story from downtown Chicago, where he became a media icon and a beloved hall of fame broadcaster. 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. He will retire from WGNs airwaves on Dec. 31. In addition to that, Ive interviewed nine presidents, including George H.W. Samuelsen also made regular appearances on Fox 2 and wrote periodically for the Detroit Free Press. 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. 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. These days, Orion is dialing back obligations and busy recovering from back surgery. That was the ticket. Samuelsen missed significant time over the last month as the diagnosis got worse. Like the farmers hes served all these years, Orion celebrated that last first day on the job long ago. They had a lot of misconceptions about the role food producers play in our economy and our society, Samuelson said. This would turn out to be his trademark generosity, as he mentored dozens of young broadcasters and interns over the coming decades. [13], On November 1, 2012, Samuelson published his autobiography "You Cant Dream Big Enough" was published by Bantry Bay Media. But inside WGN, his new colleagues welcomed him into the family. 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. Radio greats like Paul Harvey called on them to explain issues and provide a counterpoint when the latest anti-ag book came out. They dont want you to retire. That is unheard of in this industry., Field Editor's Blog @AgNews_Doran: Best wishes to Orion in his retirement https://t.co/abTEj8w1v7. Particularly when I, on a Sunday, went with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Prime Minister of India to see the Taj Mahal. She would never subscribe. He was cut from the same cloth as Paul Harvey. Orion Samuelson started his career at WGN Radio in September 1960, when the presidential election involved Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy. 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. 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. Thats why I tell young people today to learn everything you can about everything and youll always have a job, Samuelson said. Lake Orion man runs marathon for great cause that saved his wife's life 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. 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. 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. Orion Samuelson and his wife, Gloria, rode in the local parade as Grand Marshal on the final day of the festival. [9], In 2015, Armstrong published his first book, titled "Stories from the Heartland. 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. And yes, those programs often started and ended with an Ole and Lena joke. Sirott: Orion, judging by all the listeners whove been calling us in the morning, people dont care how old you are. In 2017, Max Armstrong was elected President of the NAFB. He was much better than I would have been, Orion reassures. The farm broadcaster duo also assisted with Farm Visit Sundays which was organized by the University of Illinois Extension. His final broadcast on WGN was the noon business report on December 31, 2020.[16][3]. 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). I start speeches generally by saying, who would have thought that a cow milker from Wisconsin would meet nine presidents and any number of secretaries of agriculture and would write a book and would be a broadcaster for all of these years? He is a part-time farmer and has experience as a banker with an emphasis on agriculture and residential lending.. 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. It turns out he had a flesh-eating bacteria working on his throat. Orion got plenty of practice thinking on his feet, as WGN took the show on the road for 40 to 50 remote broadcasts a year to county fairs, the Illinois State Fair, the Farm Progress Show and more. Jamie Samuelsen's wife, local TV personality Christy McDonald, thanked friends and fans for the significant outpouring of support in the days since Samuelson died from colon cancer. I think what has been missed by many is that Orion was an agvocate at least 40 years before most farmers knew they should be, said Max Armstrong, who has worked with Samuelson for the past 43 years. 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. 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. She also had high praise for his care at University of Chicago. No ones shared more airtime with Orion than Max, and hes the first to admit he got a lot of spillover from Orions popularity. Farm Report in 1975 and. During his over 60 years as a farm broadcaster,. Samuelson: Well, Ive been pleased obviously, but by the same token, Ive been stunned. They also spend about five weeks a year at their home in Scottsdale, Ariz. Orion Samuelson | WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own Samuelson: No, I didnt, but, circumstances, leg disease that made it impossible to do heavy work. Max and Orion spent 31 years together on WGN, until Max left in 2009 to join Farm Progress. Orion Samuelson was honored at the 2010 Wisconsin Corn/Soy Expo in Wisconsin Dells. According to his impressive resume, Samuelson is the only broadcaster to receive two Oscars in Agriculture from the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. 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. 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. In the clip the announcer says, "Now, here's Orion Samuelson," but Orion seems not to have heard! And then Id drive 17 miles to the radio station, Id get home in time to help milk cows at night. From 1975 to 2005, Samuelson was the host of U.S. Farm Report, a weekly television news magazine dedicated to agriculture. It is the dying refrain of a completed song, the final verse of a finished poem.Andr Maurois (18851967). And he championed the farmers cause. 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. He transcends generations, says Cerro Gordo, Ill., farmer Jared Gregg. WGN Radio personality Bob Sirott sat down with Samuelson for a trip down memory lane. , who would go on to found the agricultural communications program at the University of Illinois. His early work was based in Wisconsin, at WKLJ in Sparta, WHBY in Appleton, and WBAY-TV/AM in Green Bay. I couldnt believe it was happening, he says today. He served as master of ceremonies for thousands of shows and crowned dozens of queens, using his own plane to travel efficiently. [1] He produces and hosts the Farm Progress America and Max Armstrongs Midwest Digest daily radio programs. There were many tears shed, including from listeners who called in, many of whom never met Samuelsen. Autobiography of Orion "Big O" Samuelson, radio broadcaster on WGN in Chicago for over 50 years. An award-winning writer and photographer, Holly is past president of the American Agricultural Editors Association. [4] The show is a weekly agriculture television show, produced by OMAX Communications, LLC in cooperation with 22 Creative Group and Farm Progress. From 1977 to 2009, Armstrong was the agri-business broadcaster for WGN Radio[2] before the program transitioned to a weekly Saturday morning show and accompanying podcast entitled The Morning Show with Orion and Max. 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. ), I dont know what happened to the guy who came in first, Orion says, laughing. Orion Samuelson - Biography And so even-tempered. Families from the city would spend the weekend on a farm and then the farmers would go into the city for a weekend.. [8], On This Week in Agribusiness, Armstrong has a segment "Max's Tractor Shed," which features vintage tractors sent in by viewers. Theres a saying that todays news is tomorrows history, said Perdue. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. He doesnt disagree. Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. Youve educated a lot of people though, havent you? There are tens of thousands of folks who are really going to miss you. [2], Politically, Samuelson supported the production of ethanol fuel from corn, to help American farmers.[8]. The second is a parody of the poem " A Visit from Saint Nicholas ." Orion Samuelson - Age, Birthday, Biography & Facts | HowOld.co 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. Max Armstrong joined Orion at WGN in 1977, and as they spent the next 43 years together on air, they developed a seamless rapport. DePue: I must tell you that I've got a military background. He was born on March 31, 1934 in . I tend to wait until tomorrow, but she said, Look at this now, because we dont wait, Orion recalls. I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas - Wikipedia Memorials may be made to Heartland. Orion is now single. 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. WGN Radio Names Reporter Steve Alexander To Take Over for Orion Wind noise is frequently loud on the tape. [10][11] In 2014 he was awarded the VERITAS award by American Agri-Women (AAW) Organization. Through the years Samuelson has remained active in organization dear to his heart including 4-H and FFA. 'The Voice of Agriculture' retires - Farm Progress "But I had a lot of help, thanks to Ward Quaal, [the WGN president and general manager] who hired me, and a lot of the other great names Ive worked with and learned from." Thank you. 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.. [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. Over the years, Orion originated broadcasts all over the world, including 10 times in China and four in Russia. Sid and Mona Samuelson made a good life for Orion and his younger sister, Norma. Samuelsen was a native of suburban San Francisco and attended college at Northwestern, before arriving in Detroit. What's behind shortages of Adderall, other meds? Celebrating 60 Years of Orion SamuelsonAudio|Video|PhotosEmail|Voicemail|Scholarship. These stories were also translated into Max Armstrong's Tractor App, launched in 2013. If someone brought Orion fresh sweet corn or asparagus, he shared it with the engineers. They serve with their local 4-H and FFA programs, their school district, and are active in their church's youth and music ministries. Once Samuelson started his job at WGN, it didnt take him long to realize that urban people didnt understand farmers or ranchers. You cant respond to someone until you listen to them, and you cant ask the right questions until you learn where theyre coming from. Madonna. 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. Obviously the highlight of my career is the opportunity to work with farmers, ranchers and food producers because theyre my favorite people, he said. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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. Last check: 1 year ago. 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. The scholarship is presented to a college student seeking a career in agricultural communications. Armstrong was full-time with WGN Radio for 32 years until 2009. That, I thought, explained a lot. On the eve of his 60th anniversary as the booming voice of agriculture and business at WGN 720-AM, Orion Samuelson . Few partnerships in agriculture are as easily recognized as that of Max and Orion again, by first names only. The Republicans were looking for someone to run against Democratic Senate candidate Barack Obama. "So I think Ill find things to do.". 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. 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. Samuelson was heard on WGN radio in Chicago for sixty years as the station's head agriculture broadcaster from 1960 through 2020. Her quick thinking and determination got him into surgery and saved his life and his voice. 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. Samuelson: Yeah, without a doubt. At 86, his voice is as strong and deep and rich as its always been. 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. 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? He wouldnt walk again for two years. The president of WGN who believed firmly in serving the audience beyond Chicago out into the farmland of the Midwest didnt want a break in the farm broadcast coverage, Samuelson said. But times and tastes changed, and in early 1960, ABC bought WLS and converted it to a rock-and-roll station. [3], Since August 2005, Armstrong has been co-host and co-founder of This Week in AgriBusiness, owned and produced with Samuelson. After high school, Orion headed to the University of Wisconsin on a scholarship, determined to learn how to be a radio announcer. 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. First, Orion won the section, and then he went to state, and then he placed second in all of Wisconsin. Orion Samuelson was just 27 years old when he made his way up North Michigan Avenue, striding toward the Tribune Tower. 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. joined Orion at WGN in 1977, and as they spent the next 43 years together on air, they developed a seamless rapport. The University of Illinois presented Samuelson with the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters. 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. Sirott: I imagine you still milking cows while youre in broadcasting. 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. 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. I just wasn't getting what I wanted, which was broadcasting. Samuelson is a 2003 National Radio Hall of Fame inductee. "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 Later, Orion would earn an honorary doctor of letters from the U of I. From 1975 to 2005, Samuelson also was the host of U.S. Farm Report, a weekly television news magazine dedicated to agriculture. I dont like conspiracy theories. Chicago radio legend Orion Samuelson is out of intensive care and recovering from heart-valve replacement surgery, his wife said Wednesday. Orion's spirits are high and he is looking forward to returning to the airwaves as soon as he gets the 'go ahead. . Working with Armstrong was a success, Samuelson said, because both of them are good listeners. 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. It wasnt what you would call prime farmland, he says. Right away, he suggested bringing the National Barn Dance talent over to WGN, and in doing so, saved a few jobs and found himself working alongside the radio stars he listened to back on the dairy farm. Orion Samuelson - Wikipedia Armstrong also hosts a three-minute feature, "Farming America", on the Tribune Radio Network. He listened to the veterans around him, picking out the good things they did that people liked. 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. It makes sense, he says. 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 agribusiness and food production in an understandable way. After graduation, he moved to Grinnell, Iowa, where he lives with his wife, Heidi. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Thats what I did and it took me a couple of weeks to convince Max to make the move from Bloomington to Chicago. Manage Settings 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. The hall of fame broadcaster and Chicago media icon says he'll end his run at the end of the year. Lions head coach Matt Patricia, on his own, called into 97.1 on Monday morning to share his sympathies. Samuelson began his broadcasting career in Wisconsin and will officially sign off from his job at WGN radio in Chicago. The family farm includes Johns parents and their three children. You listen to the radio. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Read full biography, Yes, Orion Samuelson is still alive [5], In 2001, Armstrong was named Farm Broadcaster of the Year by the NAFB. Legendary Agribusiness Broadcaster Orion Samuelson To Retire in He was a good guy and a good listener.[3]. In May 1960, one of Mr. Samuelson's first assignments for WGN was to emcee the National Barn Dance, a long running program that WGN had just acquired when WLS radio discontinued its association with Prairie Farmer magazine. Parent PLUS loans offer limited relief options but some borrowers can still access lower monthly payments, loan forgiveness and more. [1] He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Famein 2003. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. [6], In 2016, Armstrong earned a plaque on the WGN Radio Walk of Fame in Chicago. All rights reserved. For 60 years, Orion has commanded a room without even stepping into it. Their operation includes 125 head of commercial cows in a cow/calf operation. But, this is like the time when the conspiracy theory came true. said one researcher. [7] The induction ceremony took place on May 27, 2016, where Armstrong was honored along with 6 others. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Group Inc. | All Rights Reserved. [12], Samuelson serves as a Board Member Emeritus for the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation (IALF) having previously served as chairman of the board. This job changed the direction of my career immensely.. 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. Why? You arent alone. Published in La Salle, Illinois, USA, by Shaw Media. Orion Samuelson was just 27 years old when he made his way up North Michigan Avenue, striding toward the Tribune Tower. Everyone loved him the engineers and everyone behind the scenes, he describes. Orion Samuelson is a 89 years old American broadcaster from . You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. Throughout the 1930s, 40s and 50s, Prairie Farmer owned WLS, airing farm and rural programming such as the National Barn Dance and more. I dont ever remember working on a style, he says, but I never took my voice for granted. Samuelsen's wife: 'Thank you for loving Jamie and celebrating the Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. His early work was based in Wisconsin, at WKLJ in Sparta, WHBY in Appleton, and WBAY-TV/AM in Green Bay. [The 90's raw: Orion Samuelson] - Media Burn Archive Luckily for farmers, Samuelson had once considered becoming a Lutheran pastor before heading off to radio school.