Michael Berry (radio host)
{{Short description|Councilman of Houston, Texas and talk show host}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Michael Berry
| image = Michael Berry RCC April 2015 (16860266150) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Berry in 2015
| office = Member of the Houston City Council from the at-large #5 district
| term_start = January 2, 2004
| term_end = January 2, 2008
| predecessor = Carroll Robinson
| successor = Jolanda Jones
| office2 = Member of the Houston City Council from the at-large #4 district
| term_start2 = January 2, 2002
| term_end2 = January 2, 2004
| predecessor2 = Chris Bell
| successor2 = Ronald C. Green
| birth_name = Michael Christian Berry
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|11|10}}
| birth_place = Orangefield, Texas, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| resting_place =
| height = 6 ft 0 in
| spouse = Nandita Venkateswaran Berry
| children = 2
| party = Republican
| relations =
| residence = Houston, Texas
| education = University of Houston (BA)
University of Texas School of Law (JD)
University of Nottingham (ML)
| occupation = Talk radio host, attorney, real estate developer
| signature =
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
Michael Christian Berry (born November 10, 1970) is an American conservative radio talk show host based in Houston, Texas. A former member of the Houston City Council, Berry has worked as an attorney, a real estate developer, and a restaurateur.
Early life
Berry was born and raised in Orange, Texas. His father was a chemical plant maintenance supervisor at DuPont, and his mother was a nursing home attendant.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050325120551/http://www.houstonpress.com/issues/2003-08-28/news/feature_print.html|archive-date=March 25, 2005|title=Running mates|author=Fleck, Tim|work=Houston Press|date=August 28, 2003|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/news/running-mates-6555122|access-date=December 25, 2017|url-status=dead}}
A student body president at the University of Houston, Berry graduated magna cum laude from Houston with a B.A. in Political Science, J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law and a M.L. in international commercial law from the University of Nottingham.{{cite news|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/article/Michael-Berry-is-running-for-City-Council-9927467.php|title=Michael Berry is running for City Council Position at Large No. 4|author=Gibbens, Pam|work=Houston Chronicle|date=October 16, 2001|access-date=December 25, 2017}}
Legal and real estate career
Berry began his career as a partner at the law firm Jenkens & Gilchrist. In 1997, Berry became president of residential real estate company Michael Berry Properties, later Brenham Partners.
Political career
Berry was a three-term Houston at-large city council member and also served as Mayor Pro Tem. He was named "Councilman of the Year" by the Houston Police Officers Union. After helping Houston film director and choreographer Shawn Welling with a legal dispute involving the city council, Berry became producer on the next Welling Films production, which won acclaim from notable Houston newspapers the Houston Chronicle and the Houston Press.[http://www.khou.com/story/news/local/2014/07/10/11161204/ Docudrama explores Bolivar characters] KHOU 11, 2009. Berry told the station, "I think that this story is so compelling that if it can generate an initial buzz, then it will take on a life of its own... The beauty of the story is it's a story of redemption."
Radio career
In 2005, Berry began hosting weekend program Michael Berry's Real Estate Review on Houston radio station NewsRadio 740 KTRH.{{cite web|title=Program schedule|url=http://www.ktrh.com/sked.html|publisher=NewsRadio 740 KTRH|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050114013628/http://www.ktrh.com/sked.html|archive-date=January 14, 2005}} The following year, Berry began hosting a weekday 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. talk show on sister station Talk Radio 950 KPRC that replaced the syndicated Glenn Beck Program.{{cite web|title=Program schedule|url=http://www.950kprc.com/sked.html|publisher=Talk Radio 950 KPRC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060110225309/http://www.950kprc.com/sked.html|archive-date=January 10, 2006}}
On April 27, 2007, Berry became operations director for the three Clear Channel Communications AM radio stations in Houston: KTRH, KPRC, and KBME "790 the Sports Animal".{{cite web|last=Mack|first=Kristen|title=Councilman takes on new role in radio|url=http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Councilman-takes-on-new-role-in-radio-1840389.php|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=August 9, 2013|date=April 28, 2007}} Berry remained in that position until 2011.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMichaelBerryFanPage%2Fposts%2F10150701891116700|title=Facebook Post|website=Facebook}} {{better source|date=May 2023}} In June 2007, Berry began hosting a 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. show on KTRH in addition to his morning KPRC show.{{cite web|title=Schedule|url=http://www.ktrh.com/pages/ktrhschedule.html|publisher=NewsRadio 740 KTRH|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070625155207/http://www.ktrh.com/pages/ktrhschedule.html|archive-date=June 25, 2007}} KTRH moved Berry's show to 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in July 2007 to make room for The Sean Hannity Show and The Chris Baker Show.{{cite web|title=Schedule|url=http://ktrh.com/pages/ktrhschedule.html|publisher=KTRH|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070731050431/http://ktrh.com/pages/ktrhschedule.html|archive-date=July 31, 2007}} KPRC dropped Berry's show on July 30, 2007 as part of its revamped "Radio Mojo" format that put Walton and Johnson and Mancow's Morning Madhouse in weekday mornings.{{cite web|last=Plocek|first=Keith|title=Now the Question Can Finally Be Answered Once and for All: Jessica Alba or Jennifer Aniston?|url=http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2007/08/now_the_question_can_finally_b.php|work=Spaced City|publisher=Houstonpress.com|access-date=August 9, 2013|date=August 1, 2007}} Berry returned to his old timeslot after KTRH canceled Baker's show in November 2007.{{cite web|last=Barron|first=David|title=Chris Baker's talk show canceled on KTRH and KPRC|url=http://www.chron.com/life/article/Chris-Baker-s-talk-show-canceled-on-KTRH-and-KPRC-1798665.php|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=August 9, 2013|date=November 7, 2007}} In 2010, KPRC "The 9-5-0 Radio Mojo" brought back Berry in the 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. slot, and KTRH cut Berry's 5 p.m. show back one hour in order to present all three hours of The Mark Levin Show afterwards.
From 2008 to 2010, Berry hosted a weekend show Texas Time that showcased new featured music releases and festivals in Texas.{{Cite web|url=https://player.fm/series/texas-time-with-michael-berry|title=Texas Time with Michael Berry|first=Player|last=FM|date=25 February 2011|website=Texas Time with Michael Berry|accessdate=25 May 2023}}
Clear Channel station in Portland, Oregon, NewsRadio 1190 KEX, began simulcasting Berry's KPRC show live in the 12 to 3 p.m. (PT) slot in April 2011.{{cite web|title=KEX Adds FM Translator Simulcast, Michael Berry For Middays|url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/89560/kex-adds-fm-translator-simulcast-michael-berry-for|work=All Access|access-date=August 9, 2013|date=April 4, 2011}}
In January 2012, KPRC replaced Berry's afternoon show with a show by KTRH morning host Matt Patrick. KTRH put Berry on the 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. slot previously occupied by the last hour of Houston's Morning News and The Glenn Beck Program; KPRC took in Glenn Beck.{{cite web|title=Michael Berry Doubles Up At KTRH, Matt Patrick To Host On Both KTRH and KPRC|url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/100626/michael-berry-doubles-up-at-ktrh-matt-patrick-to-h|work=All Access|access-date=August 9, 2013|date=January 4, 2012}} This marked the end of KEX broadcasting Berry live, as KEX's noon broadcast of Michael Berry became a delayed version of Berry's KTRH morning show. Berry's afternoon show has since expanded to other markets on iHeartMedia (formerly Clear Channel) stations, primarily in the Southeast.{{cite web|url=https://www.iheart.com/news/the-michael-berry-show-15056580/|title=The Michael Berry Show|publisher=iHeartMedia|access-date=December 25, 2017|date=August 29, 2016}}
Berry won the readers' choice award of best talk radio host from the Houston Press in 2010.{{cite web|title=Best Radio Host (Talk) - 2010: Michael Berry — KTRH|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/bestof/2010/award/best-radio-host-talk-2015483/|work=Houston Press|access-date=August 9, 2013}}
Berry has been a guest host of the nationally syndicated Mark Levin Show{{cite web|last=Kinosian|first=Mike|title=Self-Syndication is Berry, Berry Good|url=http://www.talkers.com/2013/05/15/self-syndication-is-berry-berry-good/|work=Talkers|access-date=August 9, 2013|date=May 15, 2013}} and in December 2021, he guest hosted The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show.{{Cite web|last1=Travis|first1=Clay|last2=Sexton|first2=Buck|date=December 31, 2021|title=Michael Berry Guest Hosts for Clay & Buck on New Year's Eve|url=https://ktrh.iheart.com/featured/the-clay-travis-and-buck-sexton-show/content/2021-12-31-clay-travis-and-buck-sexton-michael-berry-guest-hosts-for-clay-buck-on-new-years-eve/|access-date=May 21, 2024|work=KTRH|language=en-US}}
Controversy
Referring to the Park51 Muslim community center proposed for construction near the Ground Zero site of the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York City, Berry stated on his May 26, 2010, KPRC program that if the center were to be completed, "I hope that someone blows it up".{{cite news|url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/75905/kprc-s-michael-berry-under-fire-for-mosque-comment|title=KPRC's Michael Berry Under Fire For Mosque Comment|work=AllAccess.com|date=May 28, 2010|access-date=May 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311122132/http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/75905/kprc-s-michael-berry-under-fire-for-mosque-comment|archive-date=March 11, 2011|url-status=live}} The following day, he addressed his audience, issuing a statement which said in part, "I apologize to you, my listeners, for insulting your intelligence and saying something so stupid. I do not apologize, however, for my opinion that that mosque should not be built."{{cite web|author=Mendoza, Moises|url=http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Radio-talk-show-host-Berry-defiant-after-mosque-1704567.php|title=Berry under fire for mosque bomb remark|work=Houston Chronicle|date=May 28, 2010|access-date=November 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531140427/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7025777.html|archive-date=May 31, 2010|url-status=dead}}
As Berry was set to receive the "Talk Personality of the Year" award during the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards, the Chicago Tribune reported on March 2, 2017 that Berry had a regular feature titled "Chicago Weekend Crime Report" that included snide remarks about Chicago homicide victims, including speculation of which body parts were shot and mockery of victims' names.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-talk-radio-mocks-chicago-murder-victims-0303-chicago-inc-20170302-story.html|title=Talk radio star who mocks Chicago shooting victims wins national award|author=Janssen, Kim|work=Chicago Tribune|date=March 2, 2017|access-date=December 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304110443/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-talk-radio-mocks-chicago-murder-victims-0303-chicago-inc-20170302-story.html|archive-date=March 4, 2017|url-status=live}} Nearly two weeks after that article, Berry apologized, stating: "I have to make better decisions with the words I use."{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chicagoinc/ct-michael-berry-apologizes-murder-victims-0314-chicago-inc-20170313-story.html|title=Talk radio star apologizes, promises to end segment mocking Chicago homicide victims|author=Janssen, Kim|work=Chicago Tribune|date=March 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316084854/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chicagoinc/ct-michael-berry-apologizes-murder-victims-0314-chicago-inc-20170313-story.html|archive-date=March 16, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=December 25, 2017}}
Personal life
Berry has been married to Nandita Venkateswaran "Nandy" Berry since 1993. They first met as students at the University of Houston when the alumni association assigned Michael to train Nandita. They have two sons adopted from Ethiopia.{{Cite web |url=http://www.isiahfactor.com/2008/06/02/michael-berry-is-now-a-father-heres-his-new-son/ |title=Isiah Factor | the Insite » MICHAEL BERRY IS NOW a FATHER – HEre's HIS NEW SON! |access-date=2017-12-26 |archive-date=2017-12-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226130438/http://www.isiahfactor.com/2008/06/02/michael-berry-is-now-a-father-heres-his-new-son/ |url-status=usurped }}{{cite tweet|user=michaelberrysho|number=785349425254105088|title=Twitter post}} {{dead link|date=May 2023}} From 2014-2015, Nandita Berry was the 109th Secretary of State of Texas."[http://www.sos.state.tx.us/about/newsreleases/2014/010714.shtml Nandita Berry sworn in as Texas Secretary of State]." Retrieved January 7, 2014
The Houston Chronicle reported on February 16, 2012 that Berry had been accused of leaving the scene of an accident in the Montrose section of Houston at approximately 11 p.m. on January 31, 2012.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219150151/http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Michael-Berry-accused-in-hit-and-run-wreck-3337809.php|archive-date=February 19, 2012|title=Michael Berry accused in hit-and-run wreck|work=Houston Chronicle|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/Michael-Berry-accused-in-hit-and-run-wreck-3337809.php|date=February 16, 2012|access-date=December 25, 2017|url-status=dead}} On his February 21 radio show, Berry named KPRC-TV in criticizing news coverage of this incident as inaccurate.{{cite web|url=http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2012/02/michael-berry-responds-to-hit-and-run-allegations/|title=Michael Berry responds to hit-and-run allegations, bashes media|author=Mulvaney, Erin|work=Houston Chronicle|date=February 21, 2012|access-date=December 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223160619/http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2012/02/michael-berry-responds-to-hit-and-run-allegations/|archive-date=February 23, 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://houston.culturemap.com/news/city-life/02-23-12-conservative-talk-show-host-michael-berry-says-he-went-into-gay-bar-for-the-cold-beer-claims-he-has-never-bashed-gays/|title=Conservative talker Michael Berry says he went into gay bar for the "cold beer", claims he has never bashed gays |author=Rufca, Sarah|work=Culture Map Houston|date=February 23, 2012|access-date=December 25, 2017}} On February 23, 2012, the accuser settled the matter in exchange for a payment of two thousand dollars from Berry for damages to his car, without an acknowledgement of guilt by Berry.{{cite web|url=https://www.click2houston.com/news/texas/former-councilman-pays-hit-and-run-victim_20151124153828887|title=Former councilman pays hit-and-run victim|author=Dean, Stephen|publisher=KPRC 2|date=February 23, 2012|access-date=December 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226024828/http://www.click2houston.com/news/Former-councilman-pays-hit-and-run-victim/-/1735978/8944280/-/qvgu0x/-/index.html|archive-date=February 26, 2012|url-status=live}} After prosecutors were unable to contact the alleged victim, they declined to pursue charges in the case.{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/Talk-show-host-Michael-Berry-won-t-be-charged-in-3524861.php|title=Talk show host Michael Berry won't be charged in Montrose hit-and-run|author=Pinkerton, James|work=Houston Chronicle|date=May 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503174702/http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Talk-show-host-Michael-Berry-won-t-be-charged-in-3524861.php|archive-date=May 3, 2012|url-status=live}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{official website|http://www.michaelberry.com}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|Texas|Radio|Journalism|Politics|Conservatism}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Berry, Michael}}
Category:American political commentators
Category:American broadcast news analysts
Category:American conservative talk radio hosts
Category:University of Houston alumni
Category:Houston City Council members
Category:Alumni of the University of Nottingham