Montana Broadcasters Association Honors Livin’ Large Larry

Veteran broadcaster Livin' Large Larry has been honored by the Montanan Broadcasters Association, again, for his dedication to public service.

Larry, who has spent 16 of his 33 years in broadcasting in Billings, received runner-up honors for the "E.B." Craney Broadcasting Award for his 2015 "Freezin’ for a Reason.” Livin' Large Larry received the award at the 2015 Montana Broadcasters Association Convention in Big Sky, June 13-14.

Livin' Large Larry said being nominated for a Montana Broadcaster of the Year award this year for the Community Service Category means the most to him because a large part of why he does radio is to give back to the community.

This year's "Freezin' For a Reason event was held to benefit a 3-year-old Billings boy, Malachi Hosa. A week after Livin' Large Larry's February "Freezin' for a Reason" event, Malachi underwent his third heart surgery.

"Malachi’s strength at 3 years old and three heart surgeries shows us adults that our lives aren’t so bad," Livin' Large Larry said. "Malachi shows us all how to be strong. The "Freezin for a Reason" campaign brought out the awareness that even toddlers have major heart problems."

Malachi is recovering at home and is gradually getting back to being an active 3-year-old boy. His parents, Sarah and Jeff Hosa, say that the doctors are hopeful that Malachi will make a full recovery.

"Being nominated for Montana Broadcaster of the Year in various categories leads me to believe that I am doing something right in my professional life," he said. "This really is not about me,, it is about the listeners and how year in and year out they support what I do. I get recognized for pushing through their community ideas."

This year's award brings to nine the total number of awards Livin' Large Larry has received from the Montana Broadcasters Association since 1997. These honors have been awarded in three categories: Broadcaster of the Year (2), Runner-up Broadcaster of the Year (2), Community Service (1), Runner-up Community Service (2). Radio Show of the Year (1) and Promotion of the Year (1).

Larry has been married to Keri for 27 years. The couple has two adult sons Bobby, 21 and Devin, 18.