CHARLIE MONK - Inducted 2019

Charlie Monk is the longtime host on SiriusXM’s “Prime Country” format, a role that barely scratches the surface of his contribution to the Country radio/music industry. His broadcast career was launched in 1956, sweeping floors at WGEA/Geneva, AL. He quickly segued to an on-air position, and then worked in several Alabama markets, including Troy, Mobile, and Tuscaloosa. He moved to Nashville in 1968 to program WMTS and then branched into publishing, where he wrote songs recorded by Eddy Arnold, Jerry Reed, Charley Pride, Jimmy Dean, and others. Wearing his publisher hat, Monk fostered the careers of Randy Travis and Kenny Chesney. In 1969, Monk teamed with industry friends to found Country Radio Seminar (CRS). He’s served on the CRS Board from the beginning and currently is a Director Emeritus. CRS celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019, and Monk is the only person who can boast of attending every single one.