Longtime radio man receives Charles Brown Award
SALEM – Longtime radio man Herm Reavis received the Charles Brown Award on Nov. 22 at a packed breakfast ceremony at Roanoke College.
Although the man friends call “a silver-tongued devil” started his radio career at age 14 by answering phones and taking requests in Galax, Reavis and his mellow voice became staples in the Roanoke Valley when he signed onto the air on Feb. 23, 1953, the first day WRIS radio began broadcasting.
Longtime radio man Herm Reavis received Roanoke College's Charles Brown Award Nov. 22. Photo courtesy Reavis family.Over the years he's done just about everything, from being a DJ to television broadcaster and a persuasive sales representative who could sell snow to eskimos.
Roanoke College’s presentation of the Charles Brown Award is the latest of the accolades Reavis has gathered. The Brown award goes to a Salem citizen who has made significant contributions to the quality of life in the city. It is named for the first dean of Roanoke College and the only college employee who was mayor of Salem.
In announcing Reavis as this year’s recipient, Roanoke College President Mike Maxey recalled “Some of you may remember listening and perhaps dancing to his popular music broadcast, ‘Squirm with Herm,’ ” Maxey said.
Reavis later moved from an on-air voice to general sales manager of WSLS AM/FM radio, and stayed on as general manager when the company became Mel Wheeler Inc. that owns several popular Roanoke area radio stations, including Q-99, Star Country and K-92.
In 2007, Reavis’ almost 60 years in broadcasting was recognized by his peers when he received the state’s highest broadcasting honor as he was inducted into the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame.
After 64 year in the business, he’s retired but not retiring.
Maxey praised Reavis for making “a significant imprint on the Salem and Roanoke communities. He has mentored young people in the communications field, and many of radio’s best programmers and executives have worked with or for him.”
Reavis continues to volunteer with the Salem Rotary Club and the Salem Food Pantry. The Air Force veteran helped open the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center’s center for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Reavis and his wife, Sue, have been married 28 years and live in Salem near the VA. They have seven children and 11 grandchildren.
Herm Reavis was born in Reavistown, a small community in Grayson County near Galax.
Also at Tuesday’s breakfast were some of the past winners from the 15 years the award has been presented: Louise Braxton, Gerald Pace, Dr. Richard Fisher, Wayne Tripp, former Mayor Sonny Tarpley and Harry Haskins. Other winners include Salem Times-Register Sports Editor Brian Hoffman, and the ST-R late publisher, Ray Robinson.
