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Harold Gunn in the Autowriters’ Spotlight

autowriters spotlight harold gunn
Harold Gunn
Now in his 51st year on the airwaves, Harold Gunn has already collected enough honors, citations and awards to rival the medals on a four-star general’s dress uniform. He is particularly proud that the Texas Auto Writers Association named its scholarship program: The Harold Gunn Scholarship for Journalism.

All of his recognitions are listed on what his children call, “daddy’s ego page” www.haroldgunn.com but it is more like a “happy page” celebrating the fun he has had creating, producing and appearing in TV and radio shows and in interviewing hundreds of motorsports, entertainment and distinguished personalities at venues here and abroad as well as writing, producing and appearing in thousands of radio and TV commercials.

Not that he is retiring. His web page is titled, “The Adventure Continues!” Currently, he is producer/co-host of “Texas Outdoor News” the most honored outdoor radio show in Texas for over 24 years and named in the top three in the nation. It airs weekends on ESPN and Yahoo Sports Radio in Houston and in syndication and on www.texasoutdoornews.com. Producer co-host of “The Automotive Reporter” on ESPN Radio flagship station in Houston and www.automotivereporter.com

Gun Editor of Texas Outdoors Journal magazine and a contributor to Guns, Gun Week, SHOT Business, Texas Fish and Game, Safari Times. And, he is proud to note, a “Fifth generation Texas rancher.” The secret to Gunn’s on-air longevity is enjoying what he does. He says, “I am in my 51st year of broadcasting because my niche of subjects are ones that continue to interest and excite me. If you don’t love it, don’t look forward to it every day, don’t do it.”

Years back his “Captain Harold’s Theatre of the Sky” was the longest running movie-host program in the history of Houston television and attained the highest audience rating in the nation. He produced and appeared in Houston’s first local program shot internationally, “Houston Monthly” and Houston’s only variety show shot entirely on location, “Standing Room Only.” He created and produced the business program “DBA” as well as a number of segments for nationally televised shows.

For 30 years he wrote a magazine entertainment column. In addition to his many credits as a writer, producer and talent, Gunn has promoted air shows, balloon shows, beauty pageants, championship chili cook-offs, charities, circuses, clay-pigeon shooting, destruction derbies, motorcycle races and tractor pulls. A fun-filled career filled with hoopla, interesting characters and despite the inevitable challenges and disappointments, enjoyable.

For those who might want to follow a similar career path Gunn says, “Your main skill should be the mindset that you are there to inform and entertain your listener, viewer, reader, and you should be talking to one person, not the masses. Many think the future is on the World Wide Web, but to succeed sites must have professionally produced and continually updated content containing mind holding words, pictures, audio and video. Facebook is not journalism and no matter what you think, anyone with an I.Q. above 50 doesn’t give a shit what you had for lunch.”