Classic Country Radio's Chubby Howard becomes newest member of the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame
By Megan Brugger
Classic Country Radio
Classic Country Radio, WBZI AM 1500 and FM 100.3 (Xenia), WKFI AM 1090 (Wilmington), and WEDI AM 1130 (Eaton) has had a wonderful summer. The season was spent celebrating the network’s 20th anniversary and to top it off, on Sept. 5, veteran broadcaster, Ray “Chubby” Howard, was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame during the 2015 International Steel Guitar Convention in St. Louis, Mo.
Howard has been entertaining Classic Country Radio listeners each weekend with his unique mix of encyclopedic country music knowledge and down-home humor since 1998. A U.S. Navy veteran and professional steel guitar player, Howard has worked with some of the brightest stars in the country music business including Buck Owens, Connie Smith, and Boxcar Willie. Howard has participated in seven U.S.O. tours, formed the first Steel Guitar Club, graced the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, and was a regular cast member of the Renfro Valley Barn Dance. Chubby Howard has been loved by country music fans and radio listeners for over six decades.
When asked to comment about his honor, Howard stated, “It was the greatest day of my life. I will never have another one like it. Of course I'm on the wall with Buddy Emmons, John Hughey, and Pete Drake. Over the weekend they did a tribute to Buddy Emmons, and it was unbelievable.
"When I was picking, there was a guy that jumped on the stage from Texas by the name of Johnny Bush! He said ‘I've got to sing a song with my friend Chubby.’ We've known each other since the ‘60s, and he came up and sang "Crazy Arms.” One of the highlights of the day was a surprise call from my friend and bluegrass music superstar, Rhonda Vincent, congratulating me. It was a fabulous weekend with so many musicians and friends.”
Classic Country Radio General Manager, Joe Mullins, stated, "Traditional country music featuring the steel guitar has been Chubby's passion for decades! He is the world’s greatest cheerleader for the instrument and those who play it and every fan and picker loves Chubby. How wonderful to see his lifetime of dedication, perseverance, and thousands of performances rewarded."
The affable Howard maintains close friendships with everybody from radio listeners to local musicians and nationally recognized country music artists. It is not uncommon to hear Howard on the radio mentioning the steel guitar player on a particular song he features. It would be difficult to find someone who possesses a genuine love for the steel guitar and who promotes it with more zeal than Chubby Howard.
Tune in to the Chubby Howard Show each Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and Sundays, 1-5 p.m. on the Classic Country Radio network, one of the strongest network of classic country radio stations in the Midwest - WBZI AM 1500 and FM 100.3 (Xenia), WKFI AM 1090 (Wilmington), and WEDI AM 1130 (Eaton). Fans may also listen online at www.myclassiccountry.com or download the iPhone and Android apps.