Well-known retired Fulton DJ Ron Lutz will be honored at the upcoming Kingdom of Callaway Supper.
Ron Lutz and the Rooster Creek Boys have been chosen for the Distinguished Service Award.
Retired Southside Baptist Church Pastor Dr. Ron Baker will be the recipient of the Settler's Award. Both awards will be given during the Callaway Supper on March 15 at William Woods University.
Lutz was known not only as a DJ for Fulton's KFAL 900 AM radio station, but also for his live performances with the Rooster Creek Boys every Saturday morning on the "Rooster Creek Show." The show was on air for more than 50 years, making it one of the longest running live radio shows in the country. The show ended last year but lives on in the memories of many.
"Ron and the Rooster Creek Boys are the chosen group, because they are such a service to Callaway County," said Gene Hamilton, chairperson of the Distinguished Service Award committee.
Hamilton said he remembers taping the band's country and bluegrass music back when he was in college.
Dr. Michael Basnett, Callaway Supper committee president, said the show held a lot of rich history for Callawegians.
"There was a lot of memories for people who lived in Callaway County. We thought (the Distinguished Service) would be a deserving award for them," Basnett said.
"The Distinguished Service Award recognizes outstanding service, dedication and commitment to the betterment of our communities and/or Callaway County," said Debbie LaRue, Supper committee secretary.
Lutz, 82, will be unable to attend the Callaway Supper due to health restrictions, but Basnett said a video of him will be shown and some members of The Rooster Creek Boys will play during the evening. The original band was made up of Lutz, George Rutherford, Seth Bradley and Loren Gordon, but members have come and gone through the years.
Basnett said Lutz was the "anchor" of the group and the video presentation with him should provide guests a "walk down memory lane with the Rooster Creek Boys."
Originally from Popular Bluff, Baker has made Fulton his home since 1978 when he became pastor of Southside Baptist. He retired just last year. Baker said he was "totally surprised" to learn he would receive the Settler's Award.
"I was not aware that I would even be considered for it," he said.
The Settler's Award was introduced to the Callaway Supper tradition as "a way to recognize individuals who were not born in Callaway County but have lived here at least 20 years," LaRue said. "Recipients of this honor have made a significant impact on our communities/county through their dedication, commitment and hard work."
"There are a lot of people that are deserving of (the award)," Baker said, "and it was just an honor to be selected."
Baker has lead the way in the Baptist arena with a number of different activities, including initiating a Trucker's Ministry in Kingdom City which helped Southside win the "Church of the Year Award" from Guidepost Magazine in 1982.
Baker said the Callaway Supper is important because it recognizes the accomplishments of those who call Callaway their home.
"I think it's a tremendous asset to the whole area, the whole county," he said.
Tickets to the Callaway Supper are $15 and can be purchased at Bank Star One, The Callaway Bank, United Security Bank, Crane's Store and Short Stop.