David Sutton, co-owner of KRSN holds the 2012 Broadcasters of the Year trophy he and wife Gillian Sutton, won Friday night during the New Mexico Broadcasters Excellence in Broadcasting Awards in Albuquerque. Photo by Greg Kendall/ladailypost.com
By Carol A. Clark
KRSN Owners David and Gillian Sutton won the 2012 Broadcasters of the Year award Friday night during the New Mexico Broadcasters Excellence in Broadcasting Awards Convention at the Marriott Hotel in Albuquerque.
“Only in America can a florist and an auto mechanic buy a radio station and run with it,” David Sutton said of the prestigious win.
Broadcaster of the Year is the highest award given by the New Mexico Broadcasters Association to a radio or TV broadcaster.
The Sutton’s received the award for “accurate, comprehensive and complete coverage of the Las Conchas Fire and for returning the station to FCC compliance” by installing a new antenna on North Mesa.
“We are really honored to receive this award for our work covering last summer’s fire and for the nearly five years it took us to finally gain permission to erect an FCC compliant antenna up on the hill,” Gillian said.
The Suttons purchased KRSN AM 1490 out of bankruptcy in 2005.
“Having lived here most of our lives, we grew up with AM 1490 and felt it was too important an asset for this community to lose,” Gillian said.
KRSN AM 1490 began broadcasting in 1947 to provide evening entertainment for Manhattan Project era scientists.
Over time, the station evolved into a voice for the community, Gillian said, adding that the station now simulcasts on the web so listeners can hear Los Alamos broadcasts around the world.
The New Mexico Broadcasters Association is a not-for-profit corporation chartered by the State of New Mexico in 1951.
Its membership includes radio and television stations, as well as other community members with a stake in broadcasting throughout New Mexico.
During its 60 year history, the NMBA has helped and encouraged the development of the art of broadcasting by standardizing customs and practices in the best interests of the public and the broadcasting industry.
