Taste of Country Writer Kevin Richards Nominated for 2012 CMA Broadcast Award

For the second straight year, Kevin Richards -- a Taste of Country writer and afternoon host at WGNA in Albany, N.Y. -- has scored a nomination for CMA Personality of the Year in the medium market. A win would be Richards' second. This is the fifth time in his 26-year radio career that he's been named one of the top broadcasters in America -- a well deserved nod.

Richards is Taste of Country's classic country guru, but he's certainly no slouch when it comes to modern music. His was a trusted voice when arranging the Top 100 Country Songs, and more recently, the Top 100 Country Love Songs countdowns. In the past 12 months, he's talked to a number of legends on important anniversaries. For instance, he spoke with Lee Greenwood on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and George Jones around the time of his 80th birthday.

Richards has spent 17 years at WGNA, most recently working the 10AM to 3PM slot. In addition to providing great national content, he prides himself on his community, the hallmark of any great radio deejay.

"Every year, I look forward to interviewing Special Olympic athletes, St. Jude families, returning military personnel, and 'everyday' people trying to do good in their community," he says. "Everybody has a story and I love to get that out of them."

"I focus on country music and spreading positivity during the show."

On Sunday mornings, Richards hosts a classic country show from 6 to 9AM ET. You can listen to it here. Off air, he's involved in concert promotions, listener cruises and hosting the biggest country dance and karaoke events in the northeast.

Winners for all broadcast awards will be notified in October and honored during the 46th annual CMA Awards on Nov. 1.

2012 CMA Broadcast Awards Nominees:

CMA Personality of the Year Finalists

National
Whitney Allen, 'The Big Time'
Lorianne Crook & Charlie Chase, 'Crook & Chase Countdown'
Lon Helton, 'Country Countdown USA'

Major Market
Cory "Fitz" Fitzner, Ellen Tailor, Tony Russell, Randy "Biscuit" Stein, Fitz In The Morning, KKWF, Seattle
Donna Valentine, Mike Mussman, K102 Wakeup Crew, KEEY, Minneapolis
Laurie DeYoung, Laurie DeYoung Morning Show, WPOC, Baltimore
Mike Chase, Amy Faust, Mike & Amy, KWJJ, Portland
Paul Schadt, Meg Butterly, Paul Schadt Morning Show, WKKT, Charlotte

Large Market
Angie Ward, WTQR, Greensboro
Dave Chandler, Chelsie Shinkle, Big Dave & Chelsie, WUBE, Cincinnati
Dave O'Brien, Mornings with Dave O'Brien, WLHK, Indianapolis
Mike Wheless, Marty Young, Janie Carothers, Q Morning Crew, WQDR, Raleigh
Randy Carroll, Jamie Martin, KJ & Friends, KAJA, San Antonio

Medium Market
Tom O'Brien, Roger Todd & Melissa Moran, The 97 Country Breakfast Club, WPCV, Lakeland, Fla.
Andy Ritchie, Alison Mencer, Andy & Alison And The Morning Crew, WIVK, Knoxville, Tenn.
Buzz Jackson, KIIM, Tucson, Ariz.
Bill Ellis & Beth Bradley, Ellis and Bradley Morning Show, WSSL, Greenville, S.C.
Kevin Richards, Kevin Richards Show, WGNA, Albany, N.Y.
Marty Mitchell, Party Marty Mitchell & The Morning Tailgate, WKMK, Monmouth, N.J.

Small Market
Bill Barrett, Tim Fox & Tracy Berry, Barrett, Fox & Berry, KKNU, Eugene, Ore.
Bill Poindexter, Melissa Turner, Dex & Mo Show, WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Eddie Foxx & Sharon Green, The Eddie Foxx Show, WKSF, Asheville, N.C.
Gary Greenwood, Josh Nelson, Kellie Wesslund, Gary, Nelson & Kellie, KFGE, Lincoln, Neb.
Don Chase, DeAnn Stephens, Officer Don & DeAnn, WBUL, Lexington, Ky.

CMA Radio Station of the Year

Major Market
WPOC, Baltimore, Md.
WKLB, Boston, Mass.
KNIX, Phoenix, Ariz.
KWJJ, Portland, Ore.
WMZQ, Washington, Wash.

Large Market
WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
WFMS, Indianapolis, Ind.
WLHK, Indianapolis, Ind.
WCTK, Providence, R.I.
KAJA, San Antonio, Texas

Medium Market
KUZZ, Bakersfield, Calif.
WSSL, Greenville, S.C.
WIVK, Knoxville, Tenn.
KXKT, Omaha, Neb.
KFDI, Wichita, Kan.

Small Market
WKSF, Asheville, N.C.
WKXC, Augusta, Ga.
WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
WGSQ, Cookeville, Tenn.
WLLR, Quad Cities, Iowa / Ill.