For outstanding service to broadcast journalism in Tennessee, Paul FREEMAN Tinkle is inducted into the 2019 class of the Tennessee Journalism Hall of Fame.
Paul began broadcasting when he was 9 years old, talking on his grandfather's CB radio. When he was 15 he was hired to be the janitor at a radio station in Martin, Tennessee. He has moved through the ranks, and is now president of Thunderbolt Broadcasting, owner of radio stations in Union City, Martin, South Fulton and Dresden.
He also found time to earn a bachelor's degree in English and communication from the University of Tennessee at Martin.
Paul is a recipient of the Tennessee Association of Broadcaster's Distinguished Service Award and Weakley Countian of the Year honors. His radio stations have received the coveted National Association of Broadcaster's Crystal award for community service.
Paul is a past chairman of the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters and past president of the Tennessee Associated Press Broadcasters Association. He is a founding member of the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame and has served as a National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) director representing Arkansas and Tennessee.
The community service-oriented president is helping insure broadcasting maintains its important role in the local community and in American life by providing several scholarships to Obion County high school students interested in broadcasting, as well as scholarships to communications majors at U-T Martin.
Paul is author of "The Ready Book: A Comprehensive Guide to Organizing Your Life."
Paul Tinkle has distinguished himself by outstanding service to broadcast journalism, and has brought great credit to himself, his community and the State of Tennessee.
