Terry Burford - Inducted 2001

Terry Burford was a fixture in the Wichita, KS area where he held the afternoon drive slot at KFDI for 33 consecutive years, certainly a record.

Terry was born Nov. 9, 1937 in Springhill, LA where he began his radio career in 1955 at station KBSF, a job that granted him many opportunities to meet and interview country music stars including Elvis Presley. In 1959, he moved on to station KCIJ in Shreveport where he replaced Tommy Sands as the afternoon DJ and worked the Louisiana Hayride. In 1962, he relocated to station KOSY in Texarkana where he started the Four-States Jubilee, which was heard on Saturday nights throughout the area and featured many of the top stars. A pop format, Terry tried to sneak country music into his early morning slot there, but one morning the owner caught him and demanded he cease. Terry decided if he couldn't play country, he should move on, so he contacted Mike Oatman at station KFDI in Wichita. He started in early 1966 and from there, history was made.

Besides being named the Top Salesman in Wichita radio in 1998, Terry has been instrumental in helping the careers of many artists during his days in radio, including Johnny Horton, Billy Walker, David Houston and Shoji Tabuchi of Branson, MO fame to name a few. His self-penned song, "Shongaloo," was recorded on one of the early albums by the Flying Burrito Brothers. In 1981, Terry arranged and hosted a bus trip to Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry. The trip was a huge success and he continued to host it annually for 17 years. During the 90's, he added a December trip to Branson, also a great success.

A major ambassador to country music for many years, Terry befriended and helped those in the industry plus brought a great many fans into the country fold. He was named to the Country Music DJ Hall of Fame in 2001.