Salty Brine

Salty Brine, born Walter Leslie Brine[1] (August 5, 1918[2] – November 2, 2004[3]), 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

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]

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
  1. "Walter "Salty" Brine Papers". Rhode Island Historical Society. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  2. "Ocean State broadcasting legend Salty Brine dies". Providence Journal-Bulletin. November 3, 2004. Retrieved 2010-02-11.
  3. "Facts and folklore: Salty Brine". Quahog.org. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  4. Pages In Time's Salty page. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  5. Salty featured on WJAR-TV's "PM Magazine" (circa 1979) on YouTube. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  6. R.I.H.S.' Salty Page – see letter dated 2/27/50
  7. Ricitelli, Dino. "A History of 630 WPRO". WPRO (AM). Retrieved 2010-02-11.
  8. "Farewell to Salty Brine, voice of Rhode Island for 50 years". Providence Journal-Bulletin. November 3, 2004. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
  9. "Walter "Salty" Brine". Retrieved 2010-02-11.
  10. "Salty Brine State Beach made official by DiPrete". Providence Journal. February 23, 1990. p. A-08.
  11. "Rhode Island Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2008". www.RIRHOF.org. May 22, 2008.


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