Earl Freudenberg
Earl Freudenberg, Johnny Mann, Tom Hammett at Tom Sneed at WDYN
Hey Earl FM Share-a-thon
Tom Hammett at the studio desk
May will be a busy month for one of Chattanooga’s radio broadcasting legends, Earl Freudenberg. First, and most spectacularly, ‘Hey Earl’ will be inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame. The banquet and ceremony will take place on May 14 in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Earl began his radio career some 54 years ago in Chattanooga at WDOD later serving at the American Forces Network in Frankfurt in 1972 and 1973, while in the United States Army. He has hosted a Sunday Morning Gospel music program in Chattanooga since the earliest days of his career, and was know for many years for broadcasting the finest of easy listening popular music, and hosting cutting-edge current event talk shows. He was extensively involved in the city’s Armed Forces Day Parade and Forgotten Child fund for many years.
Earl is no stranger to receiving honors for his public service. In 1981 Earl was named Associated Press broadcaster of the year, and in 1995 Congressman Zack Wamp honored Mr. Freudenberg on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.
In 2005, Mr. Freudenberg joined Station Manager Tom Sneed on the staff of all-Christian radio WDYN. He currently hosts the SONRISE Broadcast every morning, playing a wide variety of Southern Gospel music. He’s interviewed most of the Gospel Music’s most notable artists, including Bill Gaither, James Blackwood, Hovie Lister, Ben Speer, Mosie Lister, Carroll Roberson, Martin Cook, Buford Abner and a host of others.
Just on the heels of the Radio Hall of Fame honors, Earl Freudenberg, Tom Sneed, Charlie Nicholson, Tom Hammett and a number of guests will kick off the Spring Share-a-thon at WDYN. The theme will be “Prayer changes things!”
Mr. Sneed points out in his fundraising letter to regular listeners, “Throughout church history rather ordinary men (and women) have been used in a mighty way by God through prayer to affect great changes in world events.” Mr. Sneed invites regular listeners and the community at large to enjoy the special programming, music and guests on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, May 18, 19 and 20 on AM 980 WDYN, FM 94.9, and worldwide on the Internet at www.wdyn.com. Non commercial stations such as WDYN depend on the generosity of listeners and local businesses for their financial support. WDYN has broadcast the gospel continually for 48 years.
“It’s a real honor to be inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame,” stated Mr. Freudenberg. “It’s also an honor to spread the Gospel through playing Southern Gospel music - a very important part of my 54-year career.”