Brad Johnson

Inducted 2008

Brad Johnson’s quick wit and deep, resonant voice made him a natural for success in broadcasting, both on the air and in sales. The Cokato native earned a degree in journalism at the University of Minnesota in 1958 and got his start in broadcasting at student station WMMR. He also worked as a weekend DJ at WMIN Radio, calling himself “The Old Professor.” He joined WTCN Radio in 1959, hosting an afternoon-drive radio show called The Bumper to Bumper Club. He switched to WTCN TV in 1960, doing weekend weather and hosting Lucky 11 Dancetime on Saturday afternoons. He also guest hosted Dick Clark’s American Bandstand in Philadelphia. He began his sales career with KRSI Radio in 1964, also hosting a radio show. In 1967, he became program director of WLOL Radio, where he pioneered the talk radio format. He joined the sales staff of WCCO Radio in 1973 and became one of the station’s leading account executives while filling in on the air when needed. He loved sharing knowledge, and taught journalism at Minneapolis Community College and, under its auspices, at Stillwater Prison. He was active in the Bloomington YMCA and the Richfield United Way, and was president of the Advertising Federation of Minnesota and the Richfield and Bloomington Jaycees. He passed away in 1988.