Orion Samuelson
Encyclopedia
Orion "The Big O" Samuelson (first name pronounced OR-ee-uhn) (born March 31, 1934) is an American broadcaster, most widely known for hosting U.S. Farm Report
. He was inducted in to the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2003.
, near LaCrosse
. Samuelson considered becoming a Lutheran pastor before deciding on six months of radio school. His early work was based in Wisconsin
, at WKLJ
in Sparta, WHBY
in Appleton, and WBAY-TV
/AM in Green Bay
. He is best known for his association with WGN Radio
in Chicago, serving as the station's head agriculture broadcaster since 1960. Three years into his tenure at WGN, he was the staffer that read the news of the John F. Kennedy assassination
. He currently co-hosts (with associate Max Armstrong
) the Morning Show on Saturdays. In addition, Samuelson hosts a three-minute daily "National Farm Report", and a weekly commentary, "Samuelson Sez"; both are syndicated to varios stations across the country through Tribune Broadcasting
's Tribune Radio Network
.
In the 1960s, Samuelson hosted an early-morning show on WGN-TV
, Top 'O' the Morning, first with organist Harold Turner, then with Armstrong. From 1975 to 2005, Samuelson also was the host of U.S. Farm Report
, a weekly television news magazine dedicated to agriculture. He has since retired from that position, with John Phipps replacing him. Samuelson now hosts a similar show, This Week in Agribusiness, on RFD-TV
, along with Armstrong.
Politically, Samuelson is a significant supporter of the use of ethanol fuel
as derived from corn, as he feels its use will help American farmers. 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. 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 2001, Samuelson was named a Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois and received the Lincoln Medal – the highest award bestowed by the State of Illinois. The University of Illinois also presented Samuelson with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters. Orion Samuelson was honored at the 2010 Wisconsin Corn/Soy Expo in Wisconsin Dells
. Samuelson received a specially engraved Norwegian horse plaque to commemorate the occasion from presidents of the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, the Wisconsin Soybean Association, the Wisconsin Agri-Services Association and the Wisconsin Pork Association. On December 9th 2010 the southwest corner of E. Illinois Street & N. Cityfront Plaza Drive was named 'Orion Samuelson Way' by the city of Chicago.
U.S. Farm Report
The U.S. Farm Report is a weekly syndicated United States television news program, presented in magazine format, which has a focus on agriculture and agribusiness....
. He was inducted in to the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2003.
Biography
Orion Samuelson was born on a dairy farm in Ontario, WisconsinOntario, Wisconsin
Ontario is a village in Vernon County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 476 at the 2000 census.-Attractions:* Wildcat Mountain State Park is located near Ontario.The Kickapoo River is used for kayaking and canoeing.-Geography:...
, near LaCrosse
La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse is a city in and the county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The city lies alongside the Mississippi River.The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 52,485...
. Samuelson considered becoming a Lutheran pastor before deciding on six months of radio school. His early work was based in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, at WKLJ
WKLJ
WKLJ is a radio station broadcasting a Sports radio format. The station had previously run CNN news and prior to that, had simulcasted their FM sister station, WCOW-FM for many years. Licensed to Sparta, Wisconsin, USA, the station serves the La Crosse area. The station is owned by Sparta-Tomah...
in Sparta, WHBY
WHBY
WHBY is a News/Talk formatted radio station licensed to Kimberly, Wisconsin, that serves the Green Bay and Appleton-Oshkosh areas...
in Appleton, and WBAY-TV
WBAY-TV
WBAY-TV is the ABC television affiliate in Green Bay, Wisconsin, broadcasting on UHF digital channel 23 from a transmitter located in the town of Ledgeview, Wisconsin, and master control based in its building in downtown Green Bay...
/AM in Green Bay
Green Bay
- Geography :Bodies of water* Green Bay , a bay of Wisconsin known to locals as the Bay of Green Bay* Green Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, a bay located on the island of NewfoundlandMunicipalities* Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States...
. He is best known for his association with WGN Radio
WGN (AM)
WGN is a radio station in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It is the only radio station owned by the Tribune Company, which also owns the flagship television station WGN-TV, the Chicago Tribune newspaper and Chicago magazine locally. WGN's transmitter is located in Elk Grove Village, Illinois...
in Chicago, serving as the station's head agriculture broadcaster since 1960. Three years into his tenure at WGN, he was the staffer that read the news of the John F. Kennedy assassination
John F. Kennedy assassination
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the thirty-fifth President of the United States, was assassinated at 12:30 p.m. Central Standard Time on Friday, November 22, 1963, in Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas...
. He currently co-hosts (with associate Max Armstrong
Max Armstrong
Max Armstrong is an American agriculture broadcaster from Chicago, Illinois.He is almost universally associated with being the associate of Orion Samuelson, and co-hosts with Samuelson the Morning Show and Noon Show on WGN radio in Chicago, and This Week in Agribusiness on RFD-TV and in television...
) the Morning Show on Saturdays. In addition, Samuelson hosts a three-minute daily "National Farm Report", and a weekly commentary, "Samuelson Sez"; both are syndicated to varios stations across the country through Tribune Broadcasting
Tribune Broadcasting
The Tribune Broadcasting Company is a group of radio and television stations located throughout the United States which are owned and operated by the Tribune Company, a media conglomerate based in Chicago, Illinois and named for the flagship Chicago Tribune newspaper.- History :Tribune Broadcasting...
's Tribune Radio Network
Chicago Cubs Radio Network
The Chicago Cubs Radio Network comprises 45 stations in eleven states. It is a division of Tribune Broadcasting's Tribune Radio Network.The Cubs' flagship station is WGN, 720 AM. Pat Hughes is the play-by-play announcer, with Keith Moreland serving as color commentator as of the 2011 season...
.
In the 1960s, Samuelson hosted an early-morning show on WGN-TV
WGN-TV
WGN-TV, virtual channel 9 , is the CW-affiliated television station in Chicago, Illinois built, signed on, and owned by the Tribune Company. WGN-TV's studios and offices are located at 2501 W...
, Top 'O' the Morning, first with organist Harold Turner, then with Armstrong. From 1975 to 2005, Samuelson also was the host of U.S. Farm Report
U.S. Farm Report
The U.S. Farm Report is a weekly syndicated United States television news program, presented in magazine format, which has a focus on agriculture and agribusiness....
, a weekly television news magazine dedicated to agriculture. He has since retired from that position, with John Phipps replacing him. Samuelson now hosts a similar show, This Week in Agribusiness, on RFD-TV
RFD-TV
RFD-TV, or Rural Free Delivery TV, is a United States satellite and cable television channel devoted to rural issues, concerns, and interests. The channel's name is a reference to Rural Free Delivery, the name for the United States Postal Service's system of delivering mail directly to rural patrons...
, along with Armstrong.
Politically, Samuelson is a significant supporter of the use of ethanol fuel
Ethanol fuel
Ethanol fuel is ethanol , the same type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. It is most often used as a motor fuel, mainly as a biofuel additive for gasoline. World ethanol production for transport fuel tripled between 2000 and 2007 from 17 billion to more than 52 billion litres...
as derived from corn, as he feels its use will help American farmers. On the lighter side, Samuelson and a studio group dubbed the "Uff da
Uff da
Uff da is an expression of Norwegian origin adopted by Scandinavian-Americans in the 19th century...
Band" once recorded covers of Yogi Yorgesson
Harry Stewart
Harry Stewart was an American comedian and singer, who often performed as Yogi Yorgesson, a comically exaggerated Swede....
's novelty songs I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas and Yingle Bells. Samuelson has held the same job in the broadcasting industry for 50 consecutive years, second only to Los Angeles Dodgers Radio Network
Los Angeles Dodgers Radio Network
The Los Angeles Dodgers Radio Network is a network of 26 radio stations that air Major League Baseball games of the Los Angeles Dodgers. , 23 stations broadcast games in English, while another 3 broadcast them in Spanish.-English:...
announcer Vin Scully
Vin Scully
Vincent Edward Scully is an American sportscaster, known primarily as the play-by-play voice of the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team on Prime Ticket, KCAL-TV and KABC radio...
.
In 2001, Samuelson was named a Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois and received the Lincoln Medal – the highest award bestowed by the State of Illinois. The University of Illinois also presented Samuelson with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters. Orion Samuelson was honored at the 2010 Wisconsin Corn/Soy Expo in Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Dells may refer to:* Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin* The Dells of the Wisconsin River...
. Samuelson received a specially engraved Norwegian horse plaque to commemorate the occasion from presidents of the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, the Wisconsin Soybean Association, the Wisconsin Agri-Services Association and the Wisconsin Pork Association. On December 9th 2010 the southwest corner of E. Illinois Street & N. Cityfront Plaza Drive was named 'Orion Samuelson Way' by the city of Chicago.
Awards
- National Radio Hall of Fame, 2003
- American Farm Bureau's Distinguished Service Award, 1998
- 4-H4-H4-H in the United States is a youth organization administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the United States Department of Agriculture , with the mission of "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development." The name represents...
Alumni Award - Oscar
- Norsk HøstfestNorsk HøstfestNorsk Høstfest is an annual festival held each Fall in Minot, North Dakota. It is North America's largest Scandinavian festival. The event is conducted in the All Seasons Arena on the grounds of the North Dakota State Fair in Minot, North Dakota...
Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame
Listen to
External links
- Samuelson Sez - Weekly commentary
- Tribune Radio Network
- Orion Samuelson, Keynote Speaker Profile