Readers Poll: Media [ Arts & Entertainment | Architecture & Lodging | Food & Drink | High-Tech | Kids | Media | Outdoors & Recreation | Politics | Services | Shopping ] Critics' Picks | Readers Poll Winners sorted alphabetically

Billboard

TIE: Shiner; Miller Lite

A tie between two beer companies; what a surprise! Local staple in the hand of just about every clubgoer Shiner we can understand - we chuckle every time we pass the beehived granny rockin' out with her electric ax, too - but Miller Lite? Who would have guessed that so many Austinites like Dick?

Miller Beer Dist., 3834 Promontory Pt., 441-9394; Spoetzl Brewery, 594-3383

Evening Radio

KUT 90.5 FM

Why do we even take a vote on this one? A real cultural smorgasbord; great music, great syndicated shows like Car Talk and Selected Shorts, Prairie Home Companion, and deejays who have been spinning discs long enough to be hometown heroes - Paul Ray, Larry Monroe, Jay Trachtenberg - spinning the best in jazz and the blues.

26th & Guadalupe, 471-1631

Local Columnist

John Kelso, Austin American-Statesman

Everyone's favorite Bubba reigns as top columnist for the fifth year in a row. But what does he have against salamanders? The Statesman's own know-it-all, Jane Greig, makes her debut showing in this category, and Austin's favorite pundit on all things political, Molly Ivins, steals third.

305 S. Congress, 445-3650

Local Features Writer

Ken Lieck, The Austin Chronicle

photograph by Glamour Shots

Who says stoners don't vote? We couldn't be happier for our own scruffy curmudgeon; he's a man outstanding in his field. OK, Ken, you won; you can come in now.

The Austin Chronicle, 4000 N. I-35, 454-5766

Local (News) Journalist

Judy Maggio, KVUE 24

Interesting switch in this category this year: Two veteran TV newscasters - KVUE-24's Judy Maggio and Fred Cantu in first and second places respectively, knocked out their print competition. No doubt Maggio's warmth and intelligence anchoring the evening newscasts and Cantu's personable approach to the morning news caught our readers' eye. The revolution had better be televised.

3201 Steck, 459-6521

Locally Produced TV Show

Austin City Limits, KLRU

Public television that doesn't put you to sleep or make you feel like you're living in the original 13 colonies, Austin's KLRU has had a stellar year so far in 1998. With record-breaking fund drives and the continuing popularity of one of public television's most popular nationally syndicated shows, Austin City Limits, the station continually entertains and educates its audience. Besides ACL, hot shows this year include Antiques Roadshow, Ballykissangel, and Teletubbies. Tune in and turn on!

2504-B Whitis, 471-4811

Locally Produced Radio Show

Local Live, KVRX 91.7 FM

photograph by John Anderson

If you've ever seen the studio at KVRX, you have to be impressed at the music that comes out of there; it's got to be like playing in a closet. KVRX's Local Live, Sundays 10-11pm, features the best of local and touring bands right there in their studio. Hats off to the folks like producers Joe Brown, Floyd Banks, Amy Kingsly, Amy Talley, Eric Woffard, Chris Jackson, and anyone we've left out who make it work and bring the best talent to Austin's air.

25th & Whitis, 471-5106

Morning Deejay (or Team)

Dudley & Bob With Debra Cole, KLBJ 93.7FM

What's this? Seven years in a row? Whether inspiring road rage on the morning's commute or providing a wake-up call through many a clock radio (ummm, to shut the damn thing off?!), D, B, & D are our readers' choice again for hottest breakfast jocks. There's no denying it, these guys are the royal family of morning radio in Austin. (But which one's the queen? Hnyuk, nyuk!) You can go back to New York now, Howard.

8309 N. I-35, 832-4000

Photojournalist

TIE: Alan Pogue; Fabrizio

An Austin institution unto himself, Alan Pogue has captured Texas culture for decades in haunting, memorable black-and-white images that speak volumes; you might call him the eye of Texas. Headshot hotshot Fabrizio makes Austin actors look like Hollywood stars.

Alan Pogue: 1701 Guadalupe, 478-8387; Stefano Fabrizio: 707-0744

PM Drive/Rush Hour Radio Program

All Things Considered, KUT 90.5 FM

Stop honking, return your middle finger to the horizontal position, take a deep breath, punch that wisely preset button on the radio, and find out what's going on in the world while you're inching down I-35. Coverage of events in all corners of the globe, reported on in more-than-10-second soundbites, personal essays (by our own Marion Winik, too), arts segments, humor ... Now this is good news.

26th & Guadalupe, 471-1631

Public Access TV Show

CapZeyeZ

In a sea of bizarre, kooky public television that's often hard to watch, one ship stands clear from all the others: CapZeyeZ, Austin's quintessential local music video program, which airs our rock stars first. The show claims first in this category again, after losing the title a few years back. Producer Dave Pruett and host Dean Truitt bring Austin's soft, white underbelly right into your living room, and former host Bambi Nutt provided comedy relief while warding off callers inquiring about her libido. Alex Jones, the stoic skeptic and late-night illuminatus, comes in second.

ACAC, 1143 Northwestern, 478-8600

Radio Station

TIE: KGSR 107.1 FM; KUT 90.5 FM

One public, one private, both great stuff to listen to. These two stations are consistently Austin faves, so we're glad to let them share the glory once again.

KGSR: 8309 N. I-35, 832-4000; KUT: 26th & Guadalupe, 471-1631

Radio Station to Listen to at Work

KGSR 107.1 FM

This ain't no muzak, this ain't no disco, this ain't no fooling around. It's an eclectic mix of current and classic tunes, it's hepcat deejays like Kevin Connor and Jody Denberg, it's great in-studio live performances by folks like Shawn Colvin and maybe a little bit of foolin' around. Maybe you'll catch the boss humming along.

8309 N. I-35, 832-4000

Radio Talk Show Host

John Aielli, KUT 90.5 FM

photograph by John Anderson

Listening to the mellifluous voice of Eklekticos host John Aielli is like taking a little happy pill. He plays lots of far-out music and supports lots of local talent in music and the arts. This year, his dulcet tones took the prize over the yammering that dominates "talk" radio.

26th & Guadalupe, 471-1631

Sportscaster

Dave Cody, KTBC 7

Fox 7's Dave Cody has a casual and capable manner that our readers find irresistable. To us, he seems like the kind of nice guy with whom anyone could sit back and have a beer - even someone who hates sports! Other than a quick blip in '94, Cody has been Austin's hands-down winner throughout the Nineties. Guess what? He wins again.

119 E. 10th, 476-7777

Sportswriter

TIE: Coach Cotton, The Austin Chronicle;
Kirk Bohls, Austin American-Statesman

These two have been going head-to-head for years. Bohls brings an impressive knowledge to his game, and the fans love the Coach's witty takes on the sporting scene, not to mention his regular briefs about his doggone boxers.

Coach: 454-5766; Kirk Bohls: 445-3600

TV AnchorPerson

Judy Maggio, KVUE 24

In this age of media mergers, downsizing, and rapid turnover, it's nice to have someone like Judy who's been in one place long enough to feel like an old friend. Add to that her warmth, professionalism, and knowledge of Austin, and she's an anchor on whom we can rely. We love you Judy!

3201 Steck, 459-6521

TV Newscast

KVUE 24

A lot of reporters from other stations won awards this year, but when it comes to putting it all together and delivering a balanced product - one packed with community initiatives and brilliant concepts like "less violence and more news" - no one does it better than the gang at KVUE, according to you.

3201 Steck, 459-6521

TV Reporter

Jim Swift, KXAN 36

Our readers love Jim's offbeat, down-home peeks into the heart of Central Texas; he's Austin's version of Charles Kuralt.

908 W. MLK Blvd., 476-3636

WeatherPerson

Troy Kimmel,KVET, K-EYE-42

No one takes more heat than weather forecasters when they're wrong. Kimmel gets it right most of the time; he's good enough, he's smart enough, and gosh darnit, people like him!

KVET, 705 N. Lamar, 4495-1300