Minnie Awards
The “Minnie’s” were awards to radio and TV people on Twin Cities stations, presented by the local chapter of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and the Advertising Club of Minneapolis. I would assume that the Minnie’s morphed into the local Emmy Awards.
AFTRA merged with the Screen Actors Guild on March 30, 2012. On May 31, 2013, the Twin Cities SAG-AFTRA office closed, and operations here are handled out of Chicago. Records of the Minnie’s appear to be lost.
Since this site is about music, I will list only the radio awards on this page.
If you have award results for other years, please contact me! Thanks!
1952
The first we see of them is in 1952. In anticipation of the awards, Will Jones says,
The new awards system for local radio and TV programs, sponsored by the American Federation of Television and Radio artists, won’t overlook anybody. When citations are handed out at a luncheon Nov. 13, a winning program will bring awards to its performers, to the station that airs it, and to the ad agency that handles it. AFTRA is even considering giving something to the sponsor.
The ceremony took place at the Fifth District American Legion clubrooms. Judges were:
- Sherman Headley, WCCO-TV
- Art Lund, Campbell-Mithun Advertising Agency
- C.T. Hagman, WDGY
- Lester Rees, Variety Magazine
- Mrs. C. Russ, St. Louis Park Clubwoman
1954
Results were announced at an Ad Club luncheon at the Nicollet Hotel on April 28, 1954.
Best Sports Program: Wes Fessler Show, WDGY
Best Play-by-Play Sports Announcer: Frank Buetel, WTCN
Best Educational Program: The Classical Tradition, KUOM
Best Public-Service Program: “St. Paul High School Choirs,” KSTP
Best News Commentator: Dr. E.W. Ziebarth, WCCO
Best Farm Program: “University Farm Hour,” KUOM
Best Religious Program: “Going God’s Way,” KEYD
Best Woman Performer: Jeanne Arland, WCCO
Best Musical Program: “Saturday Symphony,” KSTP
Best Disk Jockey: Bob Bradley, WLOL
Best Children’s Show: “Old Tales and New,” KUOM
Best Hillbilly-Western Show: “Saturday Night Party,” WCCO
1955
The awards took place on April 27, 1955, and the Nicollet Hotel. Emcee was Claude Kirchner, ringmaster of Chicago’s “Super Circus” TV show. “Muggsy Spanier’s all-star Dixieland sextette blew up a storm during the meal, according to Will Jones.
Farm Program Personality: Maynard Speece, WCCO
Hillbilly-Western Personality: Dave Stone, KSTP
Disk Jockey: Johnny Morris, KSTP
Sports Announcer: Red Mottlow, WLOL
Newscaster: George Grim, KSTP
Production: “Edition,” Bill Ingram, KSTP, and “Nothing but the Best, Jack Huston, WCCO (tie)
Woman Announcer: Marguerite Kingbay, WCCO
Man Announcer: Dean Montgomery, WCCO
Air Personality: Bob DeHaven, WCCOd
1956
Will Jones provided footnotes in his column:
- The event was held at the Minnesota Terrace, Nicollet Hotel on February 15, 1956.
- The 20 judges were all members of the Ad Club.
- Categories had to have at least three entrants, or they were eliminated.
- Trophies were handed out by Murray Warmath, Minnesota Gophers football coach.
- In past years winners got plaques – this year they got gold statuettes with a winged woman holding a wreath aloft.
- Record store owner Don Leary held his own poll for best disk jockey and Don Doty won. Leary took some heat for his poll, but when Doty won his Minnie, Leary exclaimed from the audience, “This confirms it!”
Best Male Announcer: Gordon Eaton, WCCO
Best Disc Jockey: Don Doty, WTCN
Best Newscaster: Cedric Adams, WCCO
Best Sportscaster: Frank Buetel, WTCN
Best Hillbilly-Western Personality: Hal Garven, WCCO
Best Farm Show Personality: Jim Hill, WCCO
1957
The 1957 Minnie’s were announced on the Business page of the paper, under “Advertising Memo.” Writer Herb Paul described the awards as “local cousins of Hollywood’s Oscars.” The event was held on March 13, and the Emcee was Halsey Hall.
Man Announcer: Steve Cannon, WLOL
Woman Performer: Meg Kingbay, WCCO
Disk Jockey: Steve Cannon, WLOL
Newscaster: Cedric Adams, WCCO
Sportscaster: Dick Enroth, WCCO
Farm Show Personality: Maynard Speece, WCCO
Singer: Burt Hanson, WCCO
WCCO received 10 out of the 15 awards handed out, but KSTP did not participate in the event.
1958
The 1958 Minnie’s were awarded on June 11 at the Leamington Hotel. Awards were presented by Governor Freeman.
Best Male Announcer: Don Doty, WPBC
Best Woman Performer: Meg Kingbay, WPBC
Best Disk Jockey: Dan Daniel, WDGY
Best Newscaster: Bob Ryan, KSTP
Best Sportscaster: Dick Enroth, WCCO
Best Singer: Tony Grise, WCCO
Best Farm Show Personality: Jim Hill, WCCO
1961
The award ceremony was held at a luncheon at the Leamington Hotel on October 25, 1961. Awards were presented by Art Gilmore, national president of AFTRA.
Best Male Announcer: Howard Viken, WCCO
Best Woman Performer: Jan Werner, WTCN
Best Disk Jockey: Don Doty, KSTP
Best Newscaster: Bob Ryan, KSTP
Best Sportscaster, Ray Christensen, WLOL
Best New Artist: Gerrie Tierney, WMIN
Best Farm Show Personality: Jim Hill, WCCO