John Barger

John Barger began his broadcast career in 1958 as a DJ at WTAW in Bryan-College Station. In 1960, he joined KNOW in Austin as afternoon-drive personality while earning his undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Texas.

John twice worked for legendary Texas broadcaster Gordon McLendon and spent two years with the Executive Office of President Lyndon Johnson. In 1970, he became general manager of KRLD in Dallas and produced NFL broadcasts for the Dallas Cowboys.

John is the co-founder of Clear Channel Communications and developer of the news-talk radio format in Texas. His 46 years in San Antonio radio began in 1975 and included management and ownership at differing times of WOAI, KAJA, KONO, KAHL, KRIO, KBBT and KMFR.

John is known for his many contributions to the broadcast industry in Texas and across the nation. He is a former director of the National Association of Broadcasters and chaired the organization’s AM-on-FM Task Force. He and engineering colleague John Furr organized the Class A Broadcasters Association and successfully lobbied the FCC to double the power for FM Class A stations nationwide.

In 1987 John served as chairman of the Texas Association of Broadcasters at a critical time in its history, helping to keep the organization viable. He entered into broadcast brokerage in 1988 with Barger Broadcast Services. John was named the TAB 1997 Pioneer of the Year, is an inductee in the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, and was the TAB 2012 Broadcaster of the Year

SAN ANTONIO RADIO HALL OF FAME

Inductees

Inductees