GORDON HASTINGS

 Dawson “Tack” Nail was “edgy” long before the term became part of the vernacular. He unquestionably qualified for the appellation an “original.”   Excuse the cliché but let there be no doubt that he was indeed always as sharp as a tack!

The esteem in which Tack Nail was held was never more evident than when with great gusto he made his entrance at the annual NAB Convention BMI Dinner. Tack addressed nearly everyone in the room from FCC Commissioner to the newest invitee on a first name basis. His presence and stature in the industry was noted by everyone.

Many will praise his prowess as a reporter and remember him as a walking encyclopedia of the history of the radio and television industry.  It was legendary that when Tack was on the hunt for a story nothing would deter him from both the source and the facts.  I suspect that very few were “unavailable” for Tack Nail.  To the un-initiated Tack was not unlike the television detective Colombo with his disarming approach that always got to the root of the matter.

He was an integral part of the early Broadcast Pioneers, and worked diligently during the 1990s on the transition to the new Broadcasters Foundation of America.  He served on both boards of directors and was always passionate in support of preserving the heritage and history of the industry. 

Tack also played an integral role together with the late Lucille Luongo in creating the annual Giants of Broadcasting Luncheon under the auspices of the Library of American Broadcasting. He also served as a member of the Library of American Broadcasting Board after it became a separate entity from the Broadcast Pioneers in the 1995. The Broadcasters Foundation of America honored Tack with a Pioneer Award at the NAB Convention in 2001.

I am proud to add my name to the list of those who were honored by Tack’s friendship. I will miss those telephone calls when you knew in an instant whose voice was on the other end and something important was about to be said.