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Reprinted with permission from the Pipestone County Star By Kyle Kuphal Later this year, Mylan Ray, radio broadcaster for Christensen Broadcasting, will be inducted into a fourth hall of fame.
In 2012, he was inducted into the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association Hall of Fame; in 2014, he was inducted into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Music Association Hall of Fame; and in 2017, he was inducted into the Legends of Dakota Country Music Hall of Fame. In November, he will be among nine 2026 Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame inductees.
This year’s inductees were announced at the Pavek Museum of Electronic Communication in St. Louis Park on March 12. Ray said it felt “absolutely amazing” to be among those selected.
“It’s been a dream for a really long time,” Ray said. “I was always hoping that it might possibly happen, but at the same time I had kind of given up hope in the last year because I figured, ‘boy, if it hasn’t happened by now it may never happen.’” Ray has been a radio broadcaster for 52 years, 50 of which have been in Pipestone. In addition to being inducted in four halls of fame in the tri-state area, his work has provided him with many opportunities including meeting recording artists such as Garth Brooks and Johnny Cash, serving as a master of ceremonies, introducing performers, having his name in the thank you note in an album, seeing his name under the title of a song he wrote and more. He’s also appeared on television on Pioneer Public Broadcasting Service, KELO and KSFY.
Always interested in trying new things, Ray will be taking on his first acting role later this year in a small independent movie being made in Sioux Falls. He’ll play a deputy and have a few lines in the movie, which he said is a remake of an older movie.
“I agreed to a small part just so I can kind of get my feet wet and give it a try,” Ray said.
His latest recognition for his work in broadcasting will be formally bestowed upon him Friday, Nov. 20 at the 2026 Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the JX Venue in Stillwater.
“It’s going to be quite the event,” Ray said. “I know that. I’m going to be probably walking on cloud nine I think the entire time I’m up there. You won’t be able to wipe the smile off my face. I know that.”
Other 2026 inductees into the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame are Dan Gladden, Minnesota Twins Radio Network; Belinda Jensen, KARETV; Dave Ryan, KDWB-FM; Dan Seeman, Hubbard Radio; Gregg Swedberg, iHeartMedia; Frank Vascellaro and Amelia Santaniello, WCCO-TV; and Legacy Award recipient Julian Hoshal, WDSE-TV.
They will all take their place among previous inductees, who Ray referred to as radio and TV legends, on the wall at the Pavek Museum.
“I can’t imagine going up there and seeing me on the wall up there with all those guys,” Ray said.
To learn more about the induction ceremony and see who else is in the hall of fame, visit minnesotabroadcasters.com/ hall-of-fame.
