Walter Leslie Brine[1] (August 5, 1918[2] – November 2, 2004[3]), known professionally as Salty Brine, was a well-known broadcaster in Rhode Island.
Early life
At age 10, he lost one of his legs, attempting to jump onto a freight train near his home in Arlington, Massachusetts. In later life, he would visit hospitals to encourage other children who had lost limbs.[2]
Broadcasting history
Radio
Massachusetts
Salty's first jobs were in his native state of Massachusetts with WNAC: Boston, WESX: Salem, & WCOP: Boston.[4]
WPRO
In September 1942, Salty joined WPRO.[5] He hosted the morning show (originally called the "T.N.T. Review"[6]) from 1943 until April 28, 1993.[7]
Television
From 1955 to 1968, he hosted "Salty Brine's Shack" on WPRO-TV/WPRI-TV, a live evening children's program.[3] Its closing words, "Brush your teeth and say your prayers," remained his signature line through the rest of his life.[8]
Other
Salty Brine, whose distinctive voice, instantly recognizable after first listen, was beloved for his famous catch-phrase, "no school Fostah-Glostah"—a reference to the frequent school closings of the Foster-Glocester school district.
Awards and honors
- 1979: Inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.[9]
- April 1988: Named "Man of the Year" by the Rhode Island Advertising Club
- June 23, 1990: the Galilee State Beach was renamed the Salty Brine State Beach.[10]
- October 1997: WPRO's transmitter/studio building on Wampanoag Trail was rededicated as the "Salty Brine Broadcasting Center".[3]
- May 22, 2008: Salty Brine was posthumously inducted into the Rhode Island Radio Hall of Fame.[11]
References
- ^ "Walter "Salty" Brine Papers". Rhode Island Historical Society. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
- ^ a b "Ocean State broadcasting legend Salty Brine dies". Providence Journal-Bulletin. November 3, 2004. Retrieved 2010-02-11.
- ^ a b c "Facts and folklore: Salty Brine". Quahog.org. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
- ^ Pages In Time's Salty page. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
- ^ Salty featured on WJAR-TV's "PM Magazine" (circa 1979) on YouTube. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
- ^ R.I.H.S.' Salty Page – see letter dated 2/27/50
- ^ Ricitelli, Dino. "A History of 630 WPRO". WPRO (AM). Retrieved 2010-02-11.
- ^ "Farewell to Salty Brine, voice of Rhode Island for 50 years". Providence Journal-Bulletin. November 3, 2004. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
- ^ "Walter "Salty" Brine". Retrieved 2010-02-11.
- ^ "Salty Brine State Beach made official by DiPrete". Providence Journal. February 23, 1990. p. A-08.
- ^ "Rhode Island Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2008". www.RIRHOF.org. May 22, 2008.
External links
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This page was last edited on 5 February 2024, at 21:57