CONTENT
Over the years, the NBA Gala has had a long history of providing profound content. It is more than just a dinner. It is more than just thanking, honoring and inducting a group of broadcasters into the Hall of Fame. It is the only night during the entire year when Nevada's broadcasters come together to celebrate. Sixteen years ago is was, "Celebrate the Magic of Radio and Television". This Saturday night it is, "Where Eagles Soar --The Miracle of Broadcast".
On June 13, 1996, the Country Club at the Sheraton Desert Inn played host to the first Gala, when we honored Mark Smith and inducted him as our first member of the NBA Hall of Fame. On August 20, 2011, the Red Rock Ballroom at the Station Casinos Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa will play host to the sixteenth Gala, as we honor Jerry Lewis, The Nevada Army National Guard and R&R Partners. The Class of 2011 is 27 strong. Wonderful and special broadcasters. Their collective biographies combine to tell the history of broadcasting in Nevada and in America.
Content has always been "King" at the NBA Gala. We have honored Senator Richard and Bonnie Bryan. We have honored Governor Kenny and Dema Guinn. One year the keynote was given by D. Ray Gardner, a legacy broadcaster who told the history of Nevada Rural Radio. Another year the keynote was given by Jack Gibson. What a treasure he was. One of the most popular Black DJ's ever -- who worked at the first Black-owned radio station in America (WERD. Atlanta, 1949). The station was located in the same building where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. worked.
We also have featured serious events that had extensive media coverage. The first year of the War in Iraq was vividly described by former KLAS-TV reporter Traci Scott who had just returned after coordinating communications for a year. We brought in 14 family members of the broadcast engineers who perished atop the World Trade Center. That was a night no one will ever forget. And there was young Craig Scott, who was in the Columbine library during the massacre. A riveting presentation, and another example of how important television and radio news continues to be.
Recently, we have honored Tony Bonnici and Jim Rogers. This Saturday night we will honor 27 new inductees. They join with over 600 Nevada Broadcasters who are part of the NBA Hall of Fame.
For last minute advertising in the Welcome Book, please contact Bob Fisher.
For last minute donations to the Scholarship Silent Auction, please contact Gary Campbell.
Tickets ($75) will be on sale all week up until Friday at 12 Noon. Please contact Adam Sandler.
