Paul R. Beane, who has been in the radio business for more than 60 years, will be inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame on Nov. 7.
“I stayed in the business because as a radio and TV newsman I took great pride in service and community,” Beane said.
For those looking at a career as a radio broadcast, Beane suggests getting an education.
“Be prepared to earn less money than your friends,” he said. “If they want an ’on-air’ job practice your diction. It was tough for me to learn to say ‘get’ rather than ‘git,’ ’where’ rather than ‘where.’ Also, don’t give up. Pester the hell out of your radio stations until you get your foot in the door.”
Born in Stumptoe, near Greenville, Beane attended Sabine School No. 9, a one-room schoolhouse in Stumptoe. His family later moved to Greenville in 1948 and he attended Stephen F. Austin Elementary.
Beane started delivering for the Greenville Morning Herald while he was at Stephen Austin Elementary School. As a 1958 Greenville High School graduate, Beane played football and ran track. As a junior, he started his radio career deejaying at KGVL.
Beane worked at KSST in Sulphur Springs and stayed in the business throughout Bonham, Tyler, DeRidder, Louisiana, Tulia and became the news director at KEEL in Lubbock. After becoming the news director, Beane moved to Houston and worked for Gordon McLendon at KILT, where he was he was the evening newsman.
He was later asked to return to KEEL as its evening news anchor on channel 28 in Lubbock after they were approved for a new television station and has been there since 1966.
The induction ceremony, set to live stream on the Texas Radio Hall of Fame’s website on Nov. 7, recognizes 20 veteran Texas broadcasters. There is a $10 fee to view the event. And for more information on the streaming event, click here.
Submitted photo: A 1957 submitted photo of Paul Beane’s first night on-air at KGVL in Greenville.
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