You've heard us talk a lot about Angie Ward getting inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame. We've been celebrating since she found out that it was going to happen. It's not just another trophy. Don't get me wrong, the woman LOVES winning trophies! But this one is special. It's the "biggie" and it's rare because only a fraction of radio personalities receive this honor.
So we have been throwing parties and wearing Angie's face on t-shirts. We even sent her on a Country Radio Hall of Fame World Tour. She can be heard on dozens of iHeart Country radio stations across the country. So she stopped by a few of them to say hi to the listeners. Thomas Rhett hand delivered cupcakes. Cole Swindell cracked open a White Claw with her. Even Luke Combs took the time to send Angie the sweetest video message. Everybody loves Angie and the fact that the entire industry is celebrating her is proof positive of that. And while she's just that easy to love, that's not why she was inducted last night.
There are a lot of people out there who work hard. There are a lot of people who can multi-task at their jobs. There are a lot of people who will take others under their wings and train them or teach them how to be better. Angie has done all of that. And just like most women who achieve major career success, she has juggled her family and friends. She's given up vacation time. She's stayed at the station until the wee hours of the morning to get it all done. She volunteers to do the stuff that her co-workers don't want to do. She's been told she wasn't good enough or talented enough. She's walked away from a family business to pursue a career in broadcasting. However, she will NEVER walk away from putting in the extra hard work to make sure everything and everybody is covered. She's had to see doctors because her voice was so overused. She serves as a mentor to anybody who needs one. I could go on and on, but I can almost guarantee that you're reading this and relating to so much of this. She's that rarity in life that not everybody has the blessing of knowing in their lifetimes. She really is our blessing.
There's something else about Angie that inspires me, personally, and it has nothing to do with her work ethic or fun personality on the radio. It has everything to do with her faith. It's deep and it comes from her heart. Angie has helped raise millions and millions of dollars for non-profit organizations. From St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation to the Purple Pansies initiative (to bring awareness and raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer research) to the countless organizations she works with to raise money for breast cancer research - she never says no. Her schedule and work load is grueling, but she NEVER says no. EVER.
I believe good things happen to good people. I also believe phenomenal things happen to phenomenal people. Angie is phenomenal. She's also one of my dearest girlfriends in the radio station and in the world. It sounds cliche when somebody says "She is so deserving", but it's true. I'm biased, but I don't think anybody has or ever will deserve it more than her.
Just listen to Angie's speech from her induction. You'll love her even more than you already do. And you know what? Take a number because there isn't a single one of us who can get enough Angie Ward in our lives!
Oh...and this kind of makes me smile. I wrote this entire blog before I watched her introduction or acceptance speech videos. I'm not the only one who loves and appreciates this woman. So for yourself...