Paul Harvey, Don Imus, Mancow and country music legend Charley Pride headlined the 2003 Radio Hall of Fame induction broadcast live from Chicago on November 9th.
Larry King of CNN emceed the one-hour national radio broadcast from the Chicago Cultural Center home to the Radio Hall of Fame.
The sold-out benefit gala included the induction of the late Gene Autry, Westwood Radio network talk show host Jim Bohannon, Los Angeles talk radio icon Michael Jackson, legendary Viacom CEO Mel Karmazin and veteran farm broadcaster Orion Samuelson of WGN/Chicago.
Here is additional information on the Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2003:
Gene Autry (deceased). Originally a yodeling cowboy on KVOO/Tulsa in 1930, Autry moved to the WLS National Barn Dance in the early '30s and reached radio stardom in 1940 as the host of Melody Ranch on CBS Radio and eventually show biz icon status.
Jim Bohannon, veteran Westwood One talk show host, whose strong interviewing skills have made him a favorite of radio listeners for more than 20 years. He also hosts America in the Morning.
Michael Jackson, the highly respected Los Angeles talk show host for more than 30 years, formerly heard on KABC and KRLA, is known for his articulate and incisive commentary and strong interviewing skills.
Mel Karmazin, the President and Chief Operating Officer of Viacom, Inc. Karmazin built his reputation as the dynamic leader of Infinity Broadcasting and has demonstrated a boundless belief in the future of the medium.
Orion Samuelson, WGN/Chicago's "voice of agriculture" since 1960. Samuelson is one of the country's most prolific broadcasters, whose coverage and concern for the American farm community is unparalleled.
Radio executives, broadcast historians and members of The Radio Hall of Fame from coast to coast selected the inductees through a national balloting process.
The Radio Hall of Fame was acquired in 1991 and became part of the Museum of Broadcast Communications, one of only three broadcast museums in America. The MBC opened to the public on June 13, 1987. The MBC will move from its current home in the Chicago Cultural Center into its new home at State & Kinzie in downtown Chicago in 2005. The new 50,000 square foot home will include expanded archives and exhibit galleries, increased seminars and public events, a radio andtelevision studio, a gift shop, a cafe and indoor parking.
The web site for the Radio Hall of Fame is radiohof.org.
- from a PR Newswire Press Release
