Radio DJ Charlie Tuna to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Route 66 Rendezvous Cruisin’ Hall of Fame (R) Induction Ceremony
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. – Charlie Tuna, the well-known DJ in and around the Los Angeles area for several decades, will join past Lifetime Achievement Award recipients such as Jack Brown of Stater Bros., Dick Dale “King of the Surf Guitar”, Hal Blaine, and most recently Matich Corporation.
From entertainment to community involvement, the Lifetime Achievement Award serves to recognize those who have made a significant contribution to the automotive industry and the uniquely American cultural phenomenon of cruising. The SBCVB, in conjunction with the city of San Bernardino, established the Cruisin’ Hall of Fame in 1995. A landmark area called the “Route 66 Plaza” was created just outside City Hall as a backdrop for the Cruisin’ Hall of Fame. A specially designated wall, with a map of “America’s Main Street,” serves as the actual monument.
In 1967, KHJ in Los Angeles offered Charlie the 9:00 a.m. – Noon slot, and he has worked in the Los Angeles area ever since. In 1972 Tuna became one of the original DJ’s at KROQ-AM, a new top 40 station.
“Anyone that was cruising in their cars in the late 60’s and 70’s recognized the voice of Charlie Tuna,” said Wayne Austin, president and CEO of the San Bernardino Convention & Visitors Bureau. “You could say he helped many groups to their popularity because of the amount of play given while Tuna hosted his radio shows.”
“Route 66, the magical highway, has been on my mind since I got into radio,” says Tuna. “To receive this award and to be a part of the Route 66 Rendezvous is like a childhood dream come true.
Charlie Tuna will add this honor to the many others he has received over the years. In 1990, Charlie received his Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2008, he was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame, and in 1999 was inducted into his home state Nebraska Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.
Among other stations Tuna worked at were KKDJ, KIIS-AM and FM, KTNQ, KHTZ, KRLA, KODJ (later KCBS-FM), KMPC, KIKF and KLAC. Tuna was heard around the world daily on the Armed Forces Radio Network for 25 years and 6,000 shows from ’71 – ’96. He has also been the announcer for multiple television game shows such as Scrabble, Scattergories, The $25,000 Pyramid, and more. Charlie has raised nearly 2.5 million dollars for Children’s Hospital in LA with his annual “Tunathon”, hosted the red carpet and emceed the Revlon Run/Walk for 5 years. He lives in Tarzana and has served as that city’s Honorary Mayor since 1977.
Charlie Tuna will be honored along with the other 2010 inductees, Jim Wangers, Hurst Performance, Petersen Automotive Museum and West Coast Kustoms at the Cruisin’ Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, September 18 at the California Theatre of Arts, 562 West 4th St., San Bernardino beginning at 9:00 a.m. The cost is $30.00 per person, and tickets must be purchased in advance at the Route 66 Rendezvous office, 415 West 2nd Street, San Bernardino.
California’s largest cruisin’ classic car show, the Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous® takes place September 16-19, 2010 and will transform the 35-blocks of historical downtown San Bernardino, Calif.
into the days of the past with 1,700 hot rods, classics and custom cars cruising. This event is free to the public who will enjoy the classic cars, music and entertainment, sponsor displays, legendary guests, contests and commercial exhibitors. For more information, visit www.ROUTE-66.org.
Charitable contributions made by The Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous include: The Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino; the Elks Lodge of San Bernardino, Redlands and Riverside; the Route 66 Museums of Victorville and Barstow; the Public Safety Academy; the Neighborhood Cluster Association; Vietnam Veterans of America – Inland Empire; The Swans Club; Inland Young Marines and U.S. Air Force Recruiting Academy. The San Bernardino Convention & Visitors Bureau (SBCVB) is a private, non-profit corporation providing destination sales and marketing services for the City of San Bernardino.