The curricula for all broadcasting majors should include a new course of study – Jim Lawson 101 – where students would learn “old school” values, like how important it is to genuinely care for your audience and using radio for the good of a community. Because of his genuine love of Tuscaloosa and the people of west Alabama and his dedication to radio, the Alabama Broadcasters Association is more than proud to induct Jim Lawson into the ABA Hall of Fame.

“Jim is a true local treasure, giving freely of his time and resources to help others,” says Jimmy Shaw, president of JRD Inc. and the person who nominated Lawson for the induction. “He has always done so much for the Tuscaloosa and the west Alabama community.”

“Shaw is no nonsense. He wouldn’t just nominate anyone if he did not think they were deserving,” says Mildred Porter, Operations Director at WQZZ. “So, this is going to give Jim a sense that he’s really respected in this business, and it has really humbled him.”

“It was a total shock – very pleasant – but a total shock,” says Lawson about learning of his induction. “This one is special because this is from my peers. A lot of other recognitions have been from people outside of the industry. I was really pleased that my friends did see fit to nominate me.”

Lawson was already hooked on radio after his first year at Morehouse College in Atlanta. During that summer break he created an audition tape. He bought some records, wrote his own spots and even made a news break. He says that’s all he knew about radio.

It was enough.

A broadcasting journey that is chock full of interesting anecdotes, occasional struggles and many successes brought Lawson from WEUP in Huntsville, to WJLD (1960s) and WENN in Birmingham, right up to the present where he owns three Tuscaloosa/Green County stations: WMXB, WWPG and WQZZ.

But the way he uses radio to care for others deserves the spotlight, too.

For instance, when Stillman College went through a hard time keeping up with maintenance and paying staff, Lawson used his daily radio show to raise over $100,000 for the school in just 30 days.

Recently when Lawson heard a student at the University of Alabama had the opportunity to study abroad, but didn’t have the funds to do so, Lawson raised funds for him to go.

“We’ve helped people pay house notes. We’ve helped people get roofs on their houses. We have voter registration drives”, says Lawson,

“Sometimes I tell him we’re going to go broke with all this stuff that he’s doing,” laughs Porter. “But if he promised he’s going to do something, Hell or high water, he’s going to do it!”

“Radio is an avenue that could lead to change. And I tell people, this is your radio station, so use it. This is why we are here.”

“So much has changed in radio, but we’re holding it together so that the personality is still there. For those of us who love radio so much, it’s more than just the frequency on the dial and a place to place commercials,” Lawson explains.

Lawson says he’s tried to retire several times, but it never worked out. “There’s always so much left to do,” he says.

“Retirement is not in his vocabulary,” smiles Porter. “I don’t mean for this to sound morbid, but he would die a happy many if he took his last breath sitting in front of a microphone.”

“I don’t know what else to do,” says Lawson. “It’s just … that’s just my life.”

“Radio has been a driving force with me, “ says Lawson. “Some places I have worked for no pay. That shows you how nutty I am.”