East Texas radio personality “Hoss” Huggins was inducted

into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame on November 6, 2011.

The ceremony was held in Houston on November 6th 2011. Induction into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame has been bestowed upon other notables such as Bill Mack, Wolfman Jack, Willie Nelson, Walter Cronkite and George Carlin all of which worked at Texas radio stations during their career.

“Hoss entertained East Texas radio listeners with his humor and charisma for more than 30 years,” said John Gaston VP and General Manger of KYTX CBS 19 Tyler. “We look forward to his induction into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame and honoring his many contributions to broadcasting.”

Hoss has been heard on the airwaves in the Tyler and Paris area since the late 1950s. He began his radio broadcasting career while he was still a teenager working an afternoon teen show on Saturdays at Radio Station KFTV 1250 AM, in Paris, Texas. Later, he hosted a show on KPLT in Paris until he graduated from East Texas State University in Commerce, where he earned a degree in Radio-TV Communications.

In 1967, he moved to Tyler and joined the staff at Tyler's first country music station, KZAK 1330 AM. There he had a morning show with the air personality name of Hoss Huggins. Later, in addition to doing his radio show, he was named program director and station manager.  In 1978, he joined KROZ 92.1 FM in Tyler as Program Director and Morning Show Host. During this time, he formed a band called Hoss Huggins and Ponderosa. The group performs for local festivities. Currently, they have a new CD out called “I just don’t look good Necked anymore”. Go to www.hosshuggins.com for a sample of the CD.

At KROZ Radio, Hoss did many station and charity appearances, including television co-host during most of the 1980s for the annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon.  He was also awarded certificates of appreciation by the local chapters of the March of Dimes, Ladies Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Child Advocacy Center, Robert E. Lee Band Boosters, and other charity organizations throughout the years of his broadcasting career.

Hoss was a major force in East Texas radio for over thirty years, voicing and producing local and national radio and TV commercials.  As morning show host, he emceed for country music’s biggest stars including Johnny Cash, Alabama, Dolly Parton, The Oak Ridge Boys, Barbara Mandrell, Loretta Lynn, and Mel Tillis.

Hoss is now semi-retired from his long running career as a Senior Television Account Executive.  He continues to work as a sales consultant at KYTX CBS 19 in Tyler.

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