Flowers at the Mass from Reba McEntire and her husband Narvel Blackstock.

IN MEMORIAM Dene Hallam 1954-2009

Dene Whittington Hallam III Eulogy: Dec. 5, 2010

Thank you Father Rau, for the opportunity to address this gathering today on what’s for all of us a very sad occasion.

My name is James Carney. I’m known to the broadcasting industry as "MOBY;" since ’82, I’ve been"Moby in the Morning."

As is the case with everyone gathered here, Dene Hallam was my friend, and in ways most of might never know, he was my brother.

We’ve reached the point of this formal farewell service for a brief, personal remembrance of what was truly a legend, and gentle giant.

We gather as friends of Dene Whittington Hallam III, and rest assured that although we might not all know each other; Dene knew and loved us all with that great big heart of his. So, for Dene, and from Dene, I just want to say,"Hey, Pals."

As I was preparing for this short talk, I looked over Dene’s career resume, and it read like the battle hardened "radio guy" we all knew him to be: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Detroit, New York City, Kansas City, Houston, San Francisco, Atlanta. His career, and his life ended with my moby Network based here in Roswell.

Dene was very proud of his numerous successes. He was proud of his Program Director of the Year Awards in two individual formats.

Have you ever heard of WDWH? That was a little facility Dene built in his mind in New York when he was 10 years old. It had a Top 10 playlist. What was the Top 10 when Dene was 10? Who knows, but those here from the labels would agree, even back then, he might have even been picking album cuts, and wondering why the record companies hadn’t chosen to make that song a hit. I bet he had that famous golden ear, even as a little boy."Ya gotta trust me, Pal."

I’m sure he was already dreaming of working the labels for freebies, and backstage passes.

Even as a child in the mid '60s, Dene Hallam was the true definition of a "Radio Guy". He loved the music, and the musicians. He loved the people that provided it to him and his radio stations. He loved the air talent, and everyone whose talent he recognized, he led as a PD to victory after victory.

He tolerated management, and in most cases management tolerated him, because he knew, and they knew he knew.

From that childhood fantasy of being a PD, all that changed over the years was him adding the little nudge, "Can I bring my daughters with me?" and "You’re taking us to dinner. Right, Pal?"

I’m sure those closest to him would agree in many ways, that 55-year-old kid refused to ever grow up. Those that believed, only because Dene believed, never had to grow up either. If you really knew Dene Hallam, you were well aware that of the things he was proudest of, it all paled by comparison to his pride in being the father of his three brilliant, and very beautiful daughters: The twins, Samantha and Elizabeth, and of course his own personal angel on Earth, Hayleigh Hannah Hallam.

I remember nearly 10 years ago in his office at KICKS here in Atlanta, Dene said to me that when he left this life, that NO DOUBT the industry would want to pay tribute to him for his professional accomplishments. Of course, I was thinking, "Oh Dene!!" If Dene Hallam and I had anything in common, it was our egos.

But then he went on to say, "All I wish for is they take care of my girls."

Along those lines, and in keeping with what would ultimately be, Dene’s dying wish, as most of you already know, we’ve established the"Hallam Daughters Educational Trust."

With the support of the industry to which Dene dedicated his life, our goal is to make sure that his girls will have their future totally funded as they move beyond high school, in whatever profession they choose.

May their future be bright, in the wake of this man that loved his little girls so very much. Why? Because Dene wanted no reward from his time here, other than that.

Dene would be happy to have all of you gathered here today to honor and memorialize him, but he would rest in eternal peace if he knew his epitaph simply read,"Here lies a Great Dad!!"

Everyone here is invited to come to our home for a light snack, (sorry, Dene, no lobsters) and to tell some Dene stories at our home immediately following this gathering. There are sheets with directions for the five minute trip just inside the door of this beautiful church that had become so important in Dene’s life.

For those of you that might have the question, and weren’t aware of it, Dene had reconnected with his Catholic faith, and took great joy in helping Hayleigh develop into the Altar Server she currently is.

Dene has gone the way of so many before him, and the way we all will eventually follow. But don’t you know, when that day comes for us, as we approach our eternal reward, we’ll see St. Peter at the Pearly Gates, and there’ll be trumpets, harps and halos. And from just inside we’ll hear,"Pal, we all been waiting on ya."

God, bless and keep you, Dene Whittington Hallam III. You know I never stopped when you thought I ought to. I’ll be along soon enough.