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Wlaf1450‘I’m just honored, really honored,’- Tim Berry, Chief Engineer
NASHVILLE, TN (WLAF)- There are a lot of people who play key roles in the success and existence of WLAF, and Tim Berry is one. The Tennessee Association of Broadcasters announces that Veteran Broadcaster Tim Berry, Chief Engineer for WLAF and the Vol Network, will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters’ annual Excellence in Broadcasting Awards banquet on Monday, August 18, at the Country Music Hall of Fame in downtown Nashville.
TOP PHOTO: Tim Berry points at Jim Freeman of WLAF before a Vol Network Football broadcast at Neyland Stadium.
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have spent their careers demonstrating a longstanding commitment to the broadcasting Industry in Tennessee, and the local communities they serve.
“It is our distinct honor to recognize and celebrate Tim Berry for his incredible lifetime commitment and service to our local broadcasting communityâ€, said Chris Baker, President of TAB. “Vince Lombardi once said: ‘Individual commitment to a group effort is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work and a civilization work’. Tim’s love and commitment to our industry and their local communities are tremendous examples of the passion and leadership it takes to make our business workâ€.
“When Chris Baker called, I figured he was calling for a need, and when he shared the news, I was floored,” said Tim Berry.
Berry has been involved in broadcast engineering for more than 30 years at commercial radio stations in Greensboro, North Carolina, and Knoxville, as well as currently serving as WUOT’s Chief Engineer, where he also was Chief Engineer from 1990 to 1998. For many years, Tim has also been WLAF’s Chief Engineer playing the key role in WLAF acquiring FM 100.9 and becoming a CBS Radio News Affiliate.
The first person Berry shared his news with was his wife, Tammy. “I’ve been in broadcasting most all of our married life, and she’s lived with my no such thing as a normal schedule,” said Tim.
In addition to his work broadcast stations, Berry provides broadcast engineering service for the Vol Radio Network, which broadcasts many UT Athletic events, including Tennessee Football games, and men and women’s basketball games.
“This award is more significant for me, because I’m not in front of a camera or behind a mic. I’m a behind the scenes, so it’s very significant,” added Tim.
Tim has also been an integral part of TAB’s Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program, providing stations with self-inspections and engineering advice to members for over two decades.
Berry’s hoping some of the folks he’s helped over the years will be there when he accepts his award next month. “I do know my daughter will be there from Texas and my brother, and, of course, Tammy,” said Berry.
He’ll be dressed up, too. “In my line of work, I never know where I’ll be in a day, up under a console or inside a transmitter on my hands and knees, so I’m never dressed up. I’ll be wearing a suit on awards night,” said Berry.
Berry says he’s tickled to have the faith of all those who have trusted him with their radio stations and broadcasts all these years. “I’ve done the best I can, and have been fair in my craft,” said Berry.
“I’m just honored. Really honored,” said Berry. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-07/25/2025-6AM)
In addition to his contributions to broadcasting in Tennessee; Tim Berry also owns several amateur radio repeaters in East Tennessee. Besides serving the amateur radio community; these repeaters provide communications in emergency situations when normal means of communications are disrupted, such as the hurricane in North Carolina last year and in 2020 when an explosion in Nashville disrupted phone service across Tennessee. Thank you Tim.