The Upper Peninsula native whose unique radio show “American Country Gold,” still airs on WFXD –103.3 FM, recently received a State of Michigan Special Tribute award.

“I was kind of floored,” Aho said during a Monday phone interview. “I didn’t expect it. I appreciate it very much.”

The tribute, which was requested through the office of state Rep. Sara Cambensy, D-Marquette, was signed by the state legislator along with state Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

“Elmer Aho is truly a U.P. treasure in country radio personas. So many in my generation cut our teeth on old country music listening to his Friday night radio show,” Cambensy said. “He had a particular style and way in how he picked the best songs of each artist he played. The songs weren’t always the most popular ones, but rather the unique ones that stuck with you and made you want to explore more of that artist’s work. A true artist himself and a teacher who served his community and country during the Korean War, we can’t thank him enough for being that constant voice we looked forward to listening to week after week on the radio.”

Elmer Aho speaks during a past event. The retired art teacher from Gwinn guided Upper Peninsula residents through the sounds of country music on his weekly radio program for about 20 years. He was recently awarded a State of Michigan Special Tribute, in part “for providing comfort for locals and a learning opportunity about U.P. heritage for others,” the tribute states. (Photo courtesy of Robin and Jon Aho)

Aho, 89, a Northern Michigan University graduate who obtained a master’s degree in arts education, taught art and history at Gwinn High School until the mid-1980s.

“Elmer brought the joy of creativity to children who later became the drivers of their community today,” the special tribute states. “Elmer offered the kind of driven and passionate teaching of which there is always more demand than supply.”

The father of four may have retired from education, but he never stopped learning or teaching others, his children say.

He participated as a big brother in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

Also, the Trenary native who speaks Finnish fluently, met every other week with veterans of Finnish descent at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans, where they conversed exclusively in Finnish.

A license plate bearing local country music icon Elmer Aho’s name and likeness is shown. The Northern Michigan University graduate spent 20 years playing music, telling stories and taking requests on his Saturday night radio show. Aho retired in 2018, but past shows are still broadcast to a wide fan-base, according to station officials. (Photo courtesy of Robin and Jon Aho)

“All those old Finnish veterans would all sit there for two hours,” Aho’s daughter Heidi Case said during a Monday phone interview. “You could speak English but he would translate it, and he would always have a copy of the ‘Finnish American Reporter’ that he would share with them.”

He has also written more than 600 original compositions during his time in music, which the tribute states “will continue to reverberate through the U.P. for decades to come.”

In addition to his music, Aho’s local claim to fame is his Saturday night radio show, which has been broadcast across the U.S. and has even been heard as far away as Finland.

“Elmer’s work is the purest form of cultural ambassadorship a community could ask for,” the tribute states. “Cultivating a strong following for his unique country music offerings. Elmer brought the local community together while also spreading its charm throughout the state and beyond.”

After about two decades, Aho stopped producing weekly shows when he was 87 years old.

For the last two years, previous shows have been broadcast every Saturday night on WFXD.

The station also sells license plates bearing Aho’s likeness for his fans.

His son Jon Aho said his father has always seemed to know “everything you could know about country music.”

Part of his vast knowledge about the genre comes firsthand, the younger Aho said.

“When he wasn’t teaching in the summer, we all got dragged down to Nashville,” Jon Aho said. “We were in an Airstream trailer in a trailer park somewhere, and he would leave to go and sell his songs. He met a lot of people and had so many stories.”

Programming and production director Eric Scott said Aho’s decades of broadcast experience have “touched the lives of so many” across the U.P.

“The staff of mediaBrew Communications and 103.3 WFXD are so proud of Elmer Aho and his recognition by the state of Michigan,” Scott said. “‘American Country Gold’ with Elmer Aho on Saturday night has become one of the most listened-to radio shows in Michigan. His personality shines whether he’s behind the microphone, or meeting his countless fans in public. Elmer is a class act, and we couldn’t be more proud of him. We congratulate him on this very special honor by the state of Michigan.”

Aho, who has also been described by his friends and family as a “true Renaissance man” and “the ultimate gentleman,” continues to be active even in retirement.

He is working on a new painting and still listens to country music.

“I am just a plain old country boy, so I don’t have a big head,” Aho said.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.