Salty Brine

Walter Leslie Brine^[1] (August 5, 1918^[2] – November 2, 2004^[3]), known professionally as Salty Brine, was a well-known broadcaster in Rhode Island.

Salty Brine

Early life

At age 10, he lost one of his legs, attempting to jump onto a freight train near his home in Arlington, Massachusetts. In later life, he would visit hospitals to encourage other children who had lost limbs.^[2]

Broadcasting history

Radio

Massachusetts

Salty's first jobs were in his native state of Massachusetts with WNAC: Boston, WESX: Salem, & WCOP: Boston.^[4]

WPRO

In September 1942, Salty joined WPRO.^[5] He hosted the morning show (originally called the "T.N.T. Review"^[6]) from 1943 until April 28, 1993.^[7]

Television

From 1955 to 1968, he hosted "Salty Brine's Shack" on WPRO-TV/WPRI-TV, a live evening children's program.^[3] Its closing words, "Brush your teeth and say your prayers," remained his signature line through the rest of his life.^[8]

Brine's distinctive voice, instantly recognizable after first listen, was beloved for his famous catch-phrase, "no school Fostah-Glostah"—a reference to the frequent school closings of the Foster-Glocester school district.

Awards and honors

• 1979: Inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.^[9]
• April 1988: Named "Man of the Year" by the Rhode Island Advertising Club
• June 23, 1990: the Galilee State Beach was renamed the Salty Brine State Beach.^[10]
• October 1997: WPRO's transmitter/studio building on Wampanoag Trail was rededicated as the "Salty Brine Broadcasting Center".^[3]
• May 22, 2008: Salty Brine was posthumously inducted into the Rhode Island Radio Hall of Fame.^[11]