Radio HOF

Peggy Drenkhahn – 2016

Peggy Cohill Drenkhahn began working at KMOX Radio in July of 1975. In the ensuing decades, she became one of the most powerful behind-the-scenes people in St. Louis broadcasting as the person responsible for booking guests on the station’s talk programs. Her bookings and pairings with the strong KMOX stable of program hosts built the station into a nationally recognized ratings powerhouse through the ’70s and ’80s. Outside work she volunteering as a reading and math tutor for kids and taught Sunday School.

Art Dwyer – 2016

Art Dwyer accepted an invitation to visit the construction site of the radio tower being built for St. Louis’ community radio station, KDHX, in 1987. Almost as an aside, he was asked to bring along some records. Given that Dwyer had founded the Soulard Blues Band nine years earlier, the records he carried with him were all blues records. For the next 18 months he made the 75 mile round trip to the transmitter site twice a week to host a four-hour program that morphed into his popular Friday afternoon blues showcase, “Blues in the Night.” Art received the Riverfront Times Readers’ Poll Award for best blues show in 2006 and 2007. He served on the St. Louis Blues Society board for three years. 

Mary Edwards – 2016

Mary Edwards began working behind the scenes at KWMU in May of 1974 upon her graduation with a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. What she assumed was a summer job turned into a career. Over the decades she was KWMU’s music director, program director and senior talk show producer. She found time during her daily work load to serve as an adjunct instructor at Webster University for 26 years, and to provide production assistance for the Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists’ Minority Workshop over a six year period. Among her many honors, Mary received the Charles Klotzer Media Literacy Award.

Ron Edwards – 2016

Ron Edwards was one of the original programmers for St. Louis’ community radio station KDHX when it went on the air in 1987. His weekly program, “Nothin’ But the Blues,” was required listening for true blues aficionados. Each themed program contained historic details not normally found in radio programming. His show became the first program to be syndicated by KDHX.

Ron was a founding member of the St. Louis Blues Society and served on its board for over ten years.

John McHenry – 2016

John McHenry cut his teeth on the blues by listening to KATZ, KWLW, KADI, and later, KDNA. He played drums in the Soulard Blues Band for several years, but it was his friend (and co-host) Dennis Clancy who finally persuaded him to become a KDHX announcer. Most of the music played on the show is from John’s personal collection.

Tom Ray – 2016

Tom Ray adopted the nom de plume Papa Ray for his weekly Monday blues program on KDHX. As a veteran of 30-plus years, Tom Ray brought his unique music perspective to KDHX listeners, focusing on blues cuts that were not rock-based. His life was totally immersed in music, from professional deejay work to ownership of Vintage Vinyl, the St. Louis area’s largest retail outlet for vintage vinyl and discs. He also performed regularly with local blues groups on vocals/harmonica.