Kirby Picks Up Three Awards at Annual Missouri Broadcasters Association Convention

Townsquare Sedalia’s very own News Director Randy Kirby walked away with three awards after attending the Missouri Broadcasters Association’s annual awards banquet, held May 31 at Margaritaville Lake Resort in Osage Beach.

This was Kirby’s first time entering the contest during his 10-year tenure with Townsquare Media, 2209 South Limit.

“I was as shocked as anyone when they called my name to accept my awards,” Kirby commented, “but also pleasantly surprised and proud to represent the Sedalia market and Townsquare Media at the statewide MBA awards ceremony." About 300 MBA members attended the event.

“The only thing better than the awards was the meal they served in Margaritaville's huge ballroom, which included baked salmon with rice & cheese sauce, and a nice thick, juicy steak,” he added. "Never mind the broccoli."

The awards were captured on video by Missouri School of Journalism students.

The awards Kirby collected were:

First place for Best News Anchor on KSDL-FM

Second place for Best Interview on KSIS-AM

Second place for Best Use of Digital Media – News

The 263 MBA awards were presented in numerous categories and were divided between small, medium and large markets in both radio and television.

In addition, the MBA inducted six people into the MBA Hall of Fame, named a Lifetime MBA Member and presented the Distinguished Broadcaster Award during its annual convention.

The Lifetime Member Award was presented to Bob Eckman of E-Communications, LLC in Thayer and the Distinguished Broadcaster Award was presented to Gerry Elam, longtime program director for Ozark Marketing Company in West Plains.

“Bob and Gerry have broadcasting in their blood. Even though they have stepped away from daily duties at the stations, they will always be broadcasters,” MBA President and CEO Chad Mahoney said. “Serving the community is what local broadcasting is all about and these individuals have embraced that role for decades.”

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MBA Hall of Famer and Cardinals broadcaster John Rooney hosted the Hall of Fame Banquet during which the MBA inducted:

·       Joe Buck – A lifelong St. Louisan, Joe spent 16 years broadcasting Cardinals baseball on radio and TV. He is known nationally for his 26 years calling MLB and NFL games on FOX, and since 2022 as the voice of ESPN’s Monday Night Football. Joe was selected to be a part of the 2024 MBA Hall of Fame class, but due to scheduling conflicts and Joe’s desire to be present, he will be inducted as part of the Class of 2025.

·       Bev Chapman – Bev spent more than three decades in broadcast news and is credited as being one of the greatest storytellers in the industry. During her more than 20 years at Kansas City’s KMBC-TV, Bev’s stories took her around the world. Bev has won multiple Emmy® and Edward R. Murrow awards and is a member of NATAS Mid-America’s Silver Circle.

·       Ron Jacober – Ron covered sports on St. Louis radio and television for more than four decades. He spent 18 years at KSDK-TV and 26 years at KMOX radio. Ron has done play-by-play for the St. Louis Blues, the St. Louis Cardinals, the St. Louis Steamers, the Storm and the Ambush soccer teams, college basketball on ESPN, Mizzou and Illini football and St. Louis University basketball. Ron was also a commentator for CBS radio at the Sydney Olympics.

·       Jim Jackson – Jim is one of most tenured and best-known broadcast engineers in Missouri. He has served as the chief engineer and production coordinator for the St. Louis Cardinals Radio Network since 1998, working alongside MBA Hall of Famers Mike Shannon, John Rooney and Mike Claiborne and incoming MBA Hall of Famer Joe Buck. Jim has also served as producer and engineer for the St. Louis Blues, St. Louis University Billikens and the St. Louis Rams.

·       Dave Obergoenner – Dave has been a broadcast engineer for more than 40 years, holding positions of Chief Engineer and Director of Engineering for numerous radio and television stations and broadcast groups. He started his own company, ObieOne Engineering, Inc. in 1999 and has designed, built and maintained multiple broadcast facilities across Missouri and the Midwest.

·       Si Siman – A Springfield native, the late Si Siman was a radio, television and record producer, talent agent, songwriter and music publisher. Si discovered many country music icons and produced Ozark Jubilee, the first network television series featuring top country music stars. The weekly show originated from Springfield and aired nationally on ABC. Si partnered with MBA Hall of Famer Ralph Foster to produce national radio shows from Springfield’s KWTO hosted by some of the biggest names in country music.

“These are people who made broadcasting history in Missouri. They’ve also had an impact well beyond the industry and well beyond our state,” Mahoney said. “I commend the selection committee on identifying an outstanding MBA Hall of Fame class.”

The Station of the Year awards were among the awards presented during the May 31st annual MBA Awards Banquet, hosted by KMBC-TV Anchor Kris Ketz and Odle Media Group Owner Chelley Odle.

The radio stations of the year are KCLQ in Camdenton (small market), KQRA in Springfield (medium market) and KFKF in Kansas City (large market).

The television stations of the year are WGEM in Hannibal/Quincy (small market), KYTV in Springfield (medium market) and KCTV in Kansas City (large market).

For a complete list of 2025 MBA Award winners, visit MissouriBroadcasters.org.