He was more than once likened to Mike Wallace of TV's "60 Minutes" and early in his career, the Syracuse New Times cited him as "the best investigative reporter in Syracuse." His work made such an impact that in 1972, Mayor Lee Alexander proclaimed an "Andy Brigham Day."

Andy Brigham never let up on a news story until he learned the facts, especially when he had his sights set on someone he believed to be corrupt or phony. That determination to get the story is why Andy is still remembered as one of the best reporters on Central New York television.

For Andy, it was not about looks, as we see in the case of many of today's TV reporters. His clothes were often rumpled; his tie pulled open and dangling from around his neck. What was most important was the quality of his work evident in his reports. During his 25 years in television news, Andy served as news director, anchor, reporter, producer and assignment editor, mostly at stations in Central New York and at one in New Orleans.

He won many awards for reporting and documentaries, including the Syracuse Press Club awards for reporting in 1980, 1981 and 1985; and the State Broadcasters Association awards in 1981 and 1983. In 1986, Andy was elected president of the Syracuse Press Club. That same year he received the club's Professional Standards award.

Andy began his news broadcasting career in 1962 at Geneva radio station WGVA, soon moving to WTLB and WIBX in Utica. He switched to television in 1966 when he joined WTVH, Channel 5, in Syracuse as a reporter and weekend anchor. Eventually, he became news director and started Syracuse's first noon newscast. In 1979, he went to WIXT, Channel 9, as news director. He proudly cites his leadership as bringing both stations to the Number One position in local television ratings.

The urge to move to a larger market brought Andy to New Orleans in 1986 for a job as assistant news director. In that position, he supervised coverage of a number of major stories, including the 1988 Republican National Convention which nominated George Bush., and the visit of Pope John Paul to New Orleans. Coverage of the pope's trip earned Andy a special citation from the Papal Visit Executive Committee in 1988.