Video bio of Reid Chapman, inducted to Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame in 2006.
Writer/Producer: David Smith;
Post-Production: DreamVision Media Partners;
In the late 1920s, Reid Chapman and his cousin hooked up a crystal set, twisting an antenna to the bed springs and were able to pick up WLW-AM in Cincinnati. This inspired Chapman to become a radio announcer in his grade-school classroom. After graduating from Broad Ripple High School and two years at Butler University, Chapman got his first radio job in 1943 at WAOV-FM in Vincennes, Indiana, where he spent seven months before being offered the position of music librarian at WISH-AM. After his music librarian duties were over each day, Chapman was allowed to go on the air for 30 minutes without pay, but as his career advanced, he began to get more air time and was eventually given his own program sponsored by Chuckles Candy. Combined with his candy and one-liners, he soon became known as “Chuckles” Chapman. He soon began hosting a “Breakfast with Chuckles” program on the radio, then on TV when WISH-TV launched in 1954. Chapman transferred in 1956 to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to manage WANE-FM, where he would later become vice president and general manager of WANE-TV. He later became the national president of the Broadcast Pioneers and presented President Ronald Reagan with an honorary lifetime membership. While president of the Indiana chapter, Chapman recommended they establish a hall of fame to recognize Hoosier broadcasters who made significant contributions to the industry. He died Nov. 29, 2006, and shortly after was awarded the first Indiana Broadcasters Association Lifetime Achievement Award.
--Information and words from the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers