From left to right: WUOT-FM audio engineer, Tim Berry, Associate Professor of Practice Brittany Tarwater, and WUOT reporter Pierce Gentry pose together with their awards.
A Night to Remember
The Tennessee Association of Broadcasting (TAB) Excellence in Broadcasting Awards is always an exciting night for the organization’s members. Those in the world of TV and radio news across Tennessee gather once a year to mingle, share how the year at their respective stations has gone so far, and recognize members of their community for outstanding achievements in radio and television broadcasting—both on air and behind the scenes.
WUOT 91.9 FM audio engineer, Tim Berry, as well as WUOT reporter and recent graduate of the School of Journalism and Media (J&M), Pierce Gentry (‘25), were just two talents among the many representing the College of Communications and Information (CCI) on Monday evening at the 2025 TAB Awards. Current journalism and media student Kylia Berry was a finalist for TAB’s Best TV News or Feature Story, which she completed in conjunction with CCI’s Media Center; and Assistant Professor of Practice—Brittany Tarwater—fresh off her recent Murrow Award win, also received TAB’s Best News Anchor Award. This is her second year in a row being recognized by the organization.
For Tim Berry, however, the 2025 TAB Awards wasn’t just another exciting night shared among industry colleagues—as this year’s recipient of TAB’s honorary Lifetime Achievement Award, Berry said “it was the memory of a lifetime.”
As for this year’s New Horizon Award for best up-and-coming TV or radio reporter, Pierce Gentry, it was the beginning of something bigger.
New Horizons for Up-And-Coming Reporter
Gentry was not expecting to receive the New Horizon award when TAB first announced the finalists back in July.
“It was a complete surprise to have won,” said Gentry, “I didn’t even know I had been nominated!”
To be considered for the New Horizon Award, organization members must submit an audio composite of their nominee’s live or taped work that showcases their ability to cover special interest topics or report on top headlines.
Sending in that submission was a task that Jody Hamblett, WUOT-FM station manager, was more than happy to do for Gentry.
“Pierce’s reporting shows a rare mix of curiosity, compassion, and professionalism,” she shared. “He has a gift for telling stories that give voice to people in our community while making complex issues clear and compelling. His work makes East Tennessee—and public radio—stronger.”
TAB’s New Horizon Award has now been awarded to UT alumni for two years in a row. Nicki Marker, class of 2024, received the same award the year before Gentry.
Though the award came as a surprise, Gentry was more than grateful to have received it.
“To be recognized as a rising voice in this field among so many talented individuals in both radio and television, across the entire state of Tennessee, was such an honor.”
WUOT Audio Engineer Recognized for Lifetime Achievements in Radio Career
Tim Berry echoed similar sentiments to Gentry when asked about his Lifetime Achievement Award.
“This is the type of award I’d expect to go to a much more recognizable media figure, like an anchor or a meteorologist—never to an audio engineer. I was completely surprised when I’d gotten the news,” said Berry.
TAB members cannot nominate other reporters for the Lifetime Achievement Award. Instead, the organization’s panel of judges privately agree upon their chosen recipient separately from the other award categories open for nomination. This makes TAB’s Lifetime Achievement Award not only incredibly prestigious, but also exclusive: one only available to a select few individuals who have demonstrated a longstanding commitment to broadcasting in Tennessee and to the local communities they serve.
Jody Hamblett was thrilled to share the news with Berry’s colleagues at the station, but she did not share his same feelings of surprise.
“This award is a testament to Tim’s extraordinary career and the impact he has had on generations of broadcasters. As our chief engineer, he works behind the scenes—often unnoticed because listeners never hear him on the radio—but we all benefit from his dedication, expertise, and passion every day. We’re fortunate to have him here in East Tennessee,” Hamblett remarked.
Colleagues close to Berry couldn’t be more thrilled to celebrate him and his success. Jon Knowles, WUOT-FM Morning Edition host/reporter, and longtime colleague of Berry, seconded Hamblett’s comment and provided this touching anecdote:
“What many may not realize is the incredible service Tim provides to our region beyond traditional broadcasting. Through his network of amateur radio repeaters, he’s played a vital role in keeping East Tennessee informed and connected during times of emergency and crisis. From the Gatlinburg wildfires to major storms like Hurricane Helene, Tim’s repeater system has delivered life-saving warnings and critical updates—not just to broadcasters like myself but also to the National Weather Service and emergency management agencies… This is something Tim does out of the kindness of his heart to serve the community, not for compensation or recognition.”
It’s through anecdotes like these that one can easily see Tim’s passion for radio, a craft he says he’s been “enamored with since he was 10 years old.”
“I got my ham license when I was 13 and my official radio license at 18,” said Tim, “I’d stay up all night and talk to Lenoir City’s (WLIL-FM) audio engineer, Alan Brazil. He soon turned from a pen pal and a friend to my greatest teacher and mentor. When I applied for my first job at WIVK, I put him down as a reference. When they called him, he told them: ‘If there’s anything that boy can’t fix, bring it to me and I’ll fix it myself.’ I’ve since taken to using that line for when folks call me for reference checks now,” he recounted with a laugh.
Gentry confirmed this while chatting with WUOT about the TAB awards.
“Tim really can fix anything. His skill is only rivaled by his personality. Though our roles don’t overlap much, he always brings a smile to my face whenever I come to him with a problem. He works hard everywhere,” Gentry said. “If you talk to anyone in radio in East Tennessee, they know him.”
When Gentry was asked if he had thought about how his and Berry’s awards mirrored each other, one awarded to a TAB member beginning their radio career, while the other was awarded to a member whose career was established and long-standing, he laughed and said he had.
“I’m always looking for the story, even when I’m not reporting. I can’t help it. But Tim’s career isn’t over!”
Of course it’s not. After a day’s commute back from the awards ceremony in Nashville on Monday Night, Berry’s back in his WUOT office bright and early Wednesday morning, but only for a few hours before he has to update his “Where’s Tim?” whiteboard again and rush off to the next station, the next transmitter, the next site.
WUOT managed to catch him for a brief quote about his award before he left, this is what he shared with us:
“Over the course of your life, some memories, good or bad, just tend to fade. Monday night is not one of those. I think I will remember that night for a long time.”