Remembering Bud Buschardt
• On Tuesday we briefly told you about the passing of a friend to many in our industry — Bud Buschardt, outgoing Chairman of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame — and noted musicologist — who died Monday morning, due to complications from a fall he suffered last Friday morning. Buschardt’s first professional job was a part-time position at WFAA-TV/Dallas. He later went on to work at WFAA 570AM and KVIL-AM & FM/Dallas and was also involved in the production of Ron Chapman‘s 1965-68 local Dallas TV show, Sump’n Else.
“Radio’s Best Friend” Art Vuolo and Buschardt were friends for nearly 50 years and Art learned the sad news of Bud’s passing from Greg Ogonowski, co-inventor of the Optimod, former CBS News ace Rob Milford and former KZEW/Dallas PD Ira J. Lipson. “Bud was one of those radio and TV guys that everybody loved,” Art said. “Because he wasn’t a major on-air talent, his profile wasn’t as high as others. He survived the recent Texas Deep Freeze, and the 2019 Dallas tornado by only a few blocks, but two bad falls were more than his 79-year-old body could withstand. He had just retired from teaching after many years at the University of North Texas in Denton. Every legendary Dallas radio star knew and loved him.” Art spent all of Tuesday afternoon creating a brief video tribute to his friend, which is posted below.
Buschardt’s longtime friend and former KVIL colleague Bill Gardner posted a brief remembrance on his website, billgardnerontheradio.com. To get some idea of Buschardt’s amazing career, you are also invited to check out a terrific mini-documentary called Bud Buschardt Musicologist.
