Neal Boortz

Neal Boortz was born Neal A. Boortz Jr. on April 6, 1945, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. His early life involved frequent relocations due to his father’s military service. He graduated from Pensacola High School in 1963 and later attended Texas A&M University, though he did not complete a degree there. His initial involvement in radio began in the 1960s at WTAW in College Station, Texas, where he worked as an on-air personality under the name Randy Neal. After moving to Atlanta, Boortz maintained an interest in talk radio, frequently calling into shows on WRNG. The opportunity to host a show arose unexpectedly, leading to his entry into Atlanta’s talk radio scene.

Boortz furthered his education by enrolling in John Marshall Law School in Atlanta in 1974, graduating in 1977 and passing the Georgia bar exam. For 17 years, he balanced a solo law practice with his radio career. A notable client during his legal career was boxer Evander Holyfield. In 1993, Boortz retired from his law practice to dedicate himself full-time to radio broadcasting. His career progressed through local stations like WRNG and WGST before he signed an exclusive contract with WSB AM 750. In 1999, “The Neal Boortz Show” became nationally syndicated through Cox Radio, broadcasting from Atlanta to a wide audience across the United States. His broadcast garnered significant recognition, including being named one of the “25 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America” by Talkers magazine in 1995 and induction into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2009. His show was known for its direct commentary on politics, current events, and social issues, often sparking public discussion.

Beyond his radio work, Boortz is an author. His first book, “The Commencement Speech You Need To Hear,” was published in 1997, followed by “The Terrible Truth About Liberals” in 1998. In 2005, he co-authored “The FairTax Book” with Congressman John Linder, which reached number-one on The New York Times bestseller list. He continued to write, with “Somebody’s Gotta Say It” debuting at number two on the bestseller list in 2007, and “FairTax: The Truth” released in 2008. Boortz retired from full-time radio in 2013, with Herman Cain taking over his syndicated slot. However, he returned to part-time radio in January 2022, providing daily commentaries for WFOM in Atlanta, maintaining his presence in public discourse.