With more than 40 years
behind the air show announcer’s microphone, Danny Clisham has become
one of the most recognizable voices heard in the aviation world. With
his signature white suit and boutonničre, he is the ultimate showman.
But Clisham, who
announces at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and the Reno National Air Races,
will have to let others do the talking—at least initially—when he is
introduced as the 2006 Bill Barber Award for Showmanship recipient
tonight at Theater in the Woods.
"I am happy to
relinquish the microphone under these circumstances," he said.
"It’s pretty cool—a bit too much for words, even for a
long-winded guy like me." Clisham’s first year at Oshkosh was
1977, and he’s been back every year since—29 in all. This is also
his 41st year announcing air shows.
The Barber award is
presented by World Airshow News magazine to recognize those who
do more than their share to promote the air show industry. And if there’s
one thing Clisham, nicknamed, "Sky Talker," has done over the
past four decades, it’s promote the air show industry.
Clisham is also a past
recipient of the Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award and the
International Council of Air Shows Sword of Excellence. He also received
the General Aviation News and Flyer Reader’s Choice Award, Favorite
Announcer, and is a member of the Society of Honorary Snowbirds - the
Canadian Forces Jet Demonstration Team.
He flew 32,000 hours for
American Airlines before retiring in 2003 and now flies for Evergreen
International where he’s helping to bring that company’s new 747 to
certification. It’s a wildfire-fighting aircraft, one that dumps
20,500 gallons of water or retardant on fires.
"We’ve got a big
American flag on the side where the crew enters, and since FAA approved
it for flight, it has an EXPERIMENTAL sticker on the side under the
flag," he said. "The thing performs just great."
Clisham owns three personal
aircraft, including two homebuilts: a Pitts S1S and a Swearingen SX300,
as well as a clipped wing Cub. Clisham is also is a member of the Screen
Actors Guild with several movies to his credit where he provided flight
and stunt coordination, including Where the Buffalo Roam, Moving
Violations, Wings of Courage, and Baywatch.
Past Award Winners:
2005: Pietsch Airshows
2004: Bobby Younkin
2003: Jim LeRoy
2002: AeroShell Aerobatic Team
2001: Northern Lights Aerobatic Team
2000: John Mohr
1999: Dan Buchanan
1998: Patty Wagstaff
1997: Gene Soucy & Teresa Stokes
1996: Wayne Handley
1995: Bob Hoover
1994: Bob & Annette Hosking
1993: Red Baron Stearman Squadron
1992: Sean D. Tucker
1991: Julie Clark
1990: Leo Loudenslager
1989: Jimmy Franklin
1988: No Award
1987: The French Connection
1986: Eagles Aerobatic Flight Team
With the 2006 winner
selected, nominations are open for the 2007 award. Nominations are
accepted electronically at www.worldairshownews.com.
If you cannot make a nomination on the web, phone
262-642-8460 for more information.
