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I usually use this November newsletter to recall my blessings from the past year. I am deviating from that today as I want to talk about some broadcasters that I am especially proud to know and to work with. I hope that at sometime in your careers, you may come into contact with people in our industry like these. I guess I am counting my blessings after all!
November 2nd, 2025 was a big day for WSMI radio in Litchfield, Illinois. That's the day they celebrated 75 years on the air. And the truly remarkable thing: they are still under the same family ownership! The station started by Hayward Talley is now owned by his sons Kevin and Brian. Those of you in radio today understand how rare this is.
I asked Brian to reminisce about the journey over these past years. Of course, the journey started before he was even born.
Hayward Talley was one of those people who built crystal sets as a young boy. He knew from an early age that the broadcasting business was calling his name.
After a stint in the Signal Corps, he completed his education in Champaign. Then he and Thomas Payton formed the Mid-Illinois Broadcasting company putting WSMI AM on the air.
Early days programming was a bit different than what you will hear today.
The Rocky Road Boys, a country band, played on the station. So did the Gospel 4. These, of course, were live. WSMI, chosen for "We serve Mid Illinois" did exactly that: local news, local sports, play by play, Party Line Talk hosted by Hayward.
When President Truman stopped at the Litchfield train station to deliver a speech, WSMI broadcast it. Russ Pence did a live piano program in the mornings for 45 years.
In 1960, WSMI FM was born. It continued the same tradition of serving the community as had its AM sister.
The Mid Illinois area is agricultural and ag news has always played a prominent part in the broadcast day. Farmers can hear weather, commodity reports, RFD programming, and interviews with local farmers. WSMI is as vital to them as is their morning coffee.
You can still hear obituaries daily. You can hear what is happening in the neighborhood, the town. You can also hear good country music.
It wasn't just Hayward: his wife Emma played an integral part in the growth of the business. So did Brian, who handled the engineering and now serves as general manager.
In 1999, WAOX, The Ox was born. If your passion is contemporary music, The OX is for you.
Throughout the years, Talley Broadcasting has grown in audience and in its physical plant. It has also grown people. Many of the current staff have been with the station 30 years. WSMI has also trained and sent other broadcasters out into the world of radio.
One such broadcaster is Randy Miller who bought his own stations in Taylorville and Clinton, Illinois and ran them for 37 years. He recently retired and received the "Vincent T. Wasilewski Award" for a lifetime of excellence in broadcasting from the Illinois Association of Broadcasters. Hayward Talley had also received that award in 2002. Hayward's passion for radio has been passed down to others.
When I meet broadcasters like Brian Talley and Randy Miller, I am reaffirmed that radio is NOT dead. It is still out there dispensing information, entertainment and companionship to millions. It is still a vital part of American life.
My congratulations to you. And my thanks for dedicating your life to an industry that is so vital to all.
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