Stand by for News...

America has lost a hall-of-famer, a pioneer, a broadcasting legend. Paul Harvey was more than just a voice on the radio. He didn't redefine the way news was given on the radio, he defined it. For over 50 years, the staccato delivery graced the airwaves across the nation. At the age of 82 in the year 2000, Mr. Harvey signed a 10 year contract. That contract was worth $100 million.

It's amazing to believe that someone could do the same thing everyday for 50 years. It's even more amazing that it could be done so well. This Guy and That Guy have had the opportunity to sit behind the microphone and deliver the "news". I can't speak for him, but I know I only wish I had the ability to delivery it as well as Mr. Harvey did.

It wasn't so much what he said, or even how he said it. It was his ability to not say something (what people in the business call dead-air) and keep the audience's attention. He once described it as letting the audience listen and not just hear his news. He had many trademark statements, but he started each news broadcast with, "Good morning Americans..." for the next 4 or 15 minutes he delivered the news he wanted to. It wasn't always the same news as other networks or broadcasters, but it was always the same format.

Mr. Harvey, I just want to say thank you for all you did for the industry. Thank you for painting pictures with your typewriter. "For what it's worth..." my day was better after "standing by for news."