The Trailblazer Award
When Radio Trailblazers launched the goal was to support and recognize trailblazers in radio. The committee did so, in part, by creating the Rosalie Award, an award named after the renowned influential Music Director of the Top 40 powerhouse CKLW-AM “The Big 8” (Detroit/Windsor), Rosalie was also the first-ever recipient of the Rosalie Award in 2005.
Previous Rosalie Award recipients are women who have had successful careers in the radio industry and are seen as leaders, mentors, and people making a difference in our business.
2025 marks an evolution of the Rosalie Award to the Trailblazers Award. It will be given to a woman in broadcasting (radio, television, podcasting) who has made a significant impact on the industry. This award recognizes a trailblazer-someone who has not only forged a successful career but has also paved the way for others, demonstrated exceptional leadership, and contributed meaningfully to the industry’s growth and evolution.
About Rosalie Trombley
Rosalie Trombley was music director at CKLW-AM in Windsor-Detroit, also known as “The Big 8”, from 1968 to 1984. During that time she became known as “the girl with the golden ear” who could pick the hits, and for creating music programming that appealed to a broad audience. In its heyday The Big 8 was the third- or fourth-most-listened-to radio station in north America, behind only stations in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York — a significant feat for a radio station from Windsor-Detroit. In addition to ratings success, Rosalie is credited with launching the careers or having a hand in the careers of a number of amazing artists like Elton John, Bob Seger, Alice Cooper, The Guess Who, Gordon Lightfoot, Blood Sweat & Tears, Chicago, The Stylistics, and Aerosmith, just to name a few.
In fact, Bob Seger wrote a song about her called Rosalie from the album Back in ’72. The song expresses grudging admiration of Rosalie’s talent and power as one of the foremost music directors in radio, with lyrics such as this:
So fantastic
She’s everybody’s favorite little record girl
She knows music, I know music too you see
She’s got the power, she’s got the tower
Rosalie, Rosalie