Jimmy “JD” Gonzalez Nominated for Texas Radio Hall of Fame Class 2026 | Tejano Nation

Jimmy “JD” Gonzalez, one of the most influential figures in Spanish-language and Tejano broadcasting, has been nominated for induction into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame (TRHOF) Class of 2026, recognizing a career that has transformed Hispanic radio in Texas and across the nation.

The Texas Radio Hall of Fame recently announced its 50 nominees for the 2026 induction class, representing some of the state’s most accomplished broadcasters. Voting is now underway for eligible TRHOF members and will remain open through midnight on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, with the final 20 inductees to be honored during the Texas Radio Hall of Fame Annual Induction Ceremony on Nov. 7 at the Texas Broadcast Museum in Kilgore, Texas.

TRHOF Executive Director Doug Harris, himself a 2011 Hall of Fame inductee, described this year’s nomination pool as one of the strongest in recent memory.

“Our ‘Small Markets, Big Voices’ outreach clearly hit home with those who fit that description as well as their fans,” Harris said. “For many of these broadcasters, this is their first exposure to Hall of Fame consideration and we welcome their involvement.”

The Hall of Fame also continues its recently introduced “Lone Star Legacies” category, created in 2025 to recognize influential Texas radio pioneers who have passed away.

For Gonzalez, the nomination represents the culmination of a broadcasting career that began more than four decades ago with a dream sparked during a high school career day in Corpus Christi.

Sharing the news with supporters on social media, Gonzalez reflected on the honor.

“I’m incredibly honored, humbled and appreciative that I have been nominated for the Texas Radio Hall of Fame 2026.”

He recalled how his journey began after radio personality Andy Andersen spoke at Flour Bluff High School in 1982.

“That day changed my life. Thank you, Andy Andersen, for igniting a dream that has become my life’s work.”

Gonzalez also credited the mentors and family members who helped shape his career.

“This nomination isn’t just about me. It belongs to every mentor who believed in me along the way and to my family whose love and support have carried me every step of the way.”

He concluded by asking supporters for their votes.

“If you feel I’ve earned your support, I would truly appreciate your vote for the 2026 Texas Radio Hall of Fame. Your vote would mean the world to me.”

A Career That Helped Define Tejano Radio

Gonzalez’s impact on Tejano and Spanish-language radio reaches far beyond the microphone.

His broadcasting career began at just 16 years old at KRYS AM 1360 in Corpus Christi after attending a high school career day. Within a year, he was hosting mornings at KITE Radio, and by age 18 had already become Program Director at KRYS while helping launch K99 in Corpus Christi.

His programming success continued at KZFM Z95, where he delivered the highest ratings in station history with an impressive 19.1 share, before taking over programming at KBFM B104 in the Rio Grande Valley, leading the station to ratings dominance.

In 1993, Gonzalez joined legendary San Antonio Tejano station KXTN 107.5, where he hosted evenings and posted a remarkable 20-share in nighttime ratings. He later became Program Director, helping strengthen KXTN’s reputation as one of the premier Tejano radio stations in the country.

While at KXTN, Gonzalez also launched the first Spanish-language radiothon benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, an initiative that eventually expanded nationwide and raised millions of dollars for children battling cancer.

Building National Hispanic Radio Brands

Gonzalez’s success in San Antonio led to increasingly influential leadership roles.

In 1999, he launched KBBT 98.5 “The Beat”, which became one of San Antonio’s top-rated stations within three months of its debut.

His achievements earned him promotion to Regional Vice President in 2001, overseeing Spanish-language stations across San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, Austin and the Rio Grande Valley before becoming Station Manager for Univision Radio’s Houston cluster.

By 2006, Gonzalez had been elevated to Vice President of Programming for Univision Radio, overseeing programming for 69 stations across 16 of the nation’s top Hispanic markets, reaching more than 11 million listeners throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

He later joined CBS Radio in 2012 to lead its Hispanic radio strategy and launched La Grande 107.5 in Dallas-Fort Worth while continuing to oversee major Spanish-language stations.

Championing Tejano Music

Despite his national executive responsibilities, Gonzalez has remained deeply committed to promoting Tejano music.

In 2016, he launched FIERRO HD Puro Tejano, creating one of the most important broadcast and streaming platforms dedicated exclusively to Tejano music. The station has introduced countless listeners around the world to both legendary performers and emerging artists.

His commitment to the genre also includes years of service with the Texas Talent Musicians Association (TTMA), hosting the nationally syndicated Tejano Music Awards Radio Show and the syndicated television program Tejano Country, helping expand the visibility of Tejano music beyond Texas.

Throughout his career, Gonzalez has also been recognized as one of the country’s top programming executives, earning multiple Radio Ink Best Program Director in America honors, Radio Ink’s 2024 Marketer of the Year, and the prestigious Medalla De Cortez.

Beyond broadcasting, he has served on advisory boards for the National Association of Broadcasters, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Neighborhoods Inc. Houston, while continuing to mentor young broadcasters and support the next generation of Tejano artists.

Now, after more than 40 years helping shape the sound of Hispanic and Tejano radio, Gonzalez has the opportunity to add another milestone to his distinguished career with induction into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame.

Voting by eligible Texas Radio Hall of Fame members continues through Aug. 10 at TRHOF.net, with the Class of 2026 set to be announced ahead of the induction ceremony on Nov. 7 in Kilgore, Texas.

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