LATEST NEWS
Radio Hall of Fame Goes Virtual to Honor the 2020 Class of Inductees
Radio was celebrated across audio channels as the Radio Hall of Fame presented the 2020 Class of Inductees on radio, iHeartRadio, and SiriusXM. From talk to hip hop, celebrity presenters joined the industry to honor some of radio’s most listened to personalities.
Radio was celebrated across audio channels as the Radio Hall of Fame presented the 2020 Class of Inducteeson radio, iHeartRadio, and SiriusXM. From talk to hip hop, celebrity presenters joined the industry to honor some of radio’s most listened to personalities. Due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns, this year’s ceremony was not the usual in-person gala and instead was broadcast and streamed from multiple locations.
Missed the live show?
Listen to the full 2-hour ceremony here.
Elvis Duran, popular morning show personality heard on Z100 in New York and nationally syndicated by Premiere Networks, hosted the virtual gala and started the festivities by pointing out the unique power of radio in the listener’s mind and imagination, and transformed everyone to a virtual ballroom. Nationally syndicated Westwood One radio host and 2003 Radio Hall of Fame inductee Jim Bohannon reprised his annual role as the Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony’s announcer. The Radio Hall of Fame is part of the Museum of Broadcast Communications, located in Chicago, IL since 1991.
During his acceptance speech, Donnie Simpson observed, “The Hall has recognized the right side of the dial, now, a lot of people of color are going in this class, and I want to tell the Hall that I respect that.”
Charlamagne Tha God noted, “Back in 2009, I gave the introduction Hall of Fame speech for Wendy Williams, and almost 11 years later, I am being inducted as part of The Breakfast Club. I read all the legendary names on that Wall at the Broadcast Museum, I felt inspired and said to myself, ‘I’m going to be on that Wall one day.’”
The 2020 Class of Radio Hall of Fame Inductees are:
Mark & Brian - KLOS-FM
- Longstanding Local/Regional (20 years or more)
Cokie Roberts - Political Reporter, NPR
- Longstanding Network/Syndication (20 years or more)
Angie Martinez - WWPR-FM New York City
- Active Local/Regional (10 years or more)
The Breakfast Club - Charlamagne Tha God, Angela Yee, DJ Envy, Premiere Networks, WWPR-FM
- Active Network/Syndication (10 years or more)
Sway Calloway - Sirius XM Shade 45 Channel
- Public Vote Music Format On-Air Personality
Glenn Beck - The Glenn Beck Show, Premiere Networks
- Public Vote Spoken Word On-Air Personality
Donnie Simpson - WMMJ-FM Washington D.C.
- Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee inductee
The evening featured an impressive lineup of presenters, including:
Grammy Award-winning Smokey Robinson - Donnie Simpson
TV star and singer Donny Osmond – Mark & Brian
DJ, VJ, and B-Boy King Tech - Sway Calloway
Radio programmer Dom Theodore - Glenn Beck
National recording artist Ray J - The Breakfast Club
Music Producer Salaam Remi - Angie Martinez
The ceremony concluded with an audio journey that highlighted 100 years of radio’s role in listeners’ lives -- from comedy to tragedy, the montage demonstrated how audio informs, entertains, and engages Americans every day.
Sponsors of the 2020 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony included The Mix Group, Premiere Networks, and The Weiss Agency.
The Radio Hall of Fame is housed at and a project of the Museum of Broadcast Communication, a 501(c)(3) organization.
NPR’s Noel King Recognized With “One to Watch” Award
The Radio Hall of Fame announces that it has named NPR’s Noel King, co-host of NPR’s highest rated public show, Morning Edition, and Up First, as this year’s recipient of the Radio Hall of Fame’s “One to Watch” award.
The Radio Hall of Fame announces that it has named NPR’s Noel King, co-host of NPR’s highest rated public show, Morning Edition, and Up First, as this year’s recipient of the Radio Hall of Fame’s “One to Watch” award.
The “One to Watch” award was created in honor of radio legend and 2012 RHOF inductee Art Laboe. Each year, the RHOF nominating committee selects a promising radio personality or team who has demonstrated ratings success, audience growth, and impact on one or more radio stations and their communities.
King’s investigative reporting has affected change through her powerful storytelling about social and criminal justice issues. As a correspondent for NPR’s Planet Money, her work focused on economic questions that don’t have simple answers, with complex and often conflicted people at the center of these stories. King also served as a fill-in host for Weekend All Things Considered and 1A from NPR station WAMU. Prior to joining NPR, she was a senior reporter and fill-in host for Marketplace, where she investigated the causes and consequences of inequality. As a freelancer for the Voice of America based in Khartoum, King’s reporting took her to the far reaches of the divided country, after which she was based in Kigali, covering Rwanda’s economic and social transformation and entrenched conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo. King also reported from the Congo on Egypt’s uprising and its aftermath for PRI’s The World, the CBC and the BBC. She holds a degree in American Civilization from Brown University.
“Noel King is a young radio pioneer that has had a huge impact on public radio listeners,” said Dennis Green, Chairman of the Radio Hall of Fame’s Nominating Committee. “Her investigative journalism reporting around the world has provided insight into a variety of topics impacting She certainly exemplifies the qualities of a broadcaster that will be ‘One to Watch’.”
iHeartMedia’s Elvis Duran to Host 2020 Radio Hall of Fame
Induction Ceremony to be Live Radio Broadcast from Multiple Locations and Streamed Across Audio Platforms on October 29. Smokey Robinson, Donny Osmond, and more to present.
Elvis Duran, popular morning show personality heard on Z100 in New York and nationally syndicated by Premiere Networks, will host the 2020 Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on October 29 from 7 - 9 p.m.
Due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns, this year’s ceremony will be live from multiple locations and broadcast on radio stations across the country, streamed via iHeartRadio, and on the SiriusXM Triumph Channel.
The evening features an impressive lineup of presenters, including:
Grammy Award-winning Smokey Robinson - Donnie Simpson
TV star and singer Donny Osmond – Mark & Brian
DJ, VJ, and B-Boy King Tech - Sway Calloway
Radio programmer Dom Theodore - Glenn Beck
National recording artist Ray J - The Breakfast Club
Music Producer Salaam Remi - Angie Martinez
Kraig Kitchin, chair of the Radio Hall of Fame, noted, “Elvis Duran is one of the most popular radio hosts in the country, and I’m delighted that he will lead us through an exciting live broadcast across multiple audio channels. We’re thrilled to have Smokey Robinson and such notable presenters join us. We’re looking forward to a very special evening.”
Dennis Green, chair of the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee and chief revenue officer for Sun & Fun Media and Key Networks, commented, “Elvis’s humor and energy will make for a very upbeat program. This year marks radio’s 100th anniversary, making it the perfect year for presenting the Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on live radio.”
Millions of listeners consider Elvis Duran the host of the party on his national radio program, Elvis Duran and the Morning Show - the most-listened-to Top 40 morning show in the United States. Ranked #1 across multiple demographics and top markets, Elvis and his talented on-air crew broadcast live from New York’s hit station, Z100, and entertain listeners on nearly 80 stations nationwide with up-to-the-minute pop culture news, celebrity guests, world premiere music exclusives, and fan-favorite segments.
The previously announced 2020 Class of Radio Hall of Fame Inductees are:
Mark & Brian - KLOS-FM - Longstanding Local/Regional (20 years or more)
Cokie Roberts - Political Reporter, NPR - Longstanding Network/Syndication (20 years or more)
Angie Martinez - WWPR-FM New York City - Active Local/Regional (10 years or more)
The Breakfast Club - Charlamagne Tha God, Angela Yee, DJ Envy, Premiere Networks, WWPR-FM - Active Network/Syndication (10 years or more)
Sway Calloway - Sirius XM Shade 45 Channel - Public Vote Music Format On-Air Personality
Glenn Beck - The Glenn Beck Show, Premiere Networks - Public Vote Spoken Word On-Air Personality
Donnie Simpson - WMMJ-FM Washington D.C. - Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee inductee
Sponsors of the 2020 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony include Premiere Networks and The Weiss Agency. Fans and industry professionals can find more information, including photos of the inductees, here.
The Radio Hall of Fame is housed at and a project of the Museum of Broadcast Communication, a 501(c)(3) organization.
ANNOUNCING THE 2020 CLASS OF INDUCTEES
The results are in for the 2020 class of Radio Hall of Fame inductees, who will be honored Thursday, Oct. 29 during a live radio broadcast from multiple locations and across multiple audio platforms.
The results are in for the 2020 class of Radio Hall of Fame inductees, who will be honored Thursday, Oct. 29 during a live radio broadcast from multiple locations and across multiple audio platforms. The Radio Hall of Fame is part of the Museum of Broadcast Communications, located in Chicago, IL since 1991. Additional details about the exciting event to honor radio’s best and brightest will be coming soon.
The 2020 Inductees are:
Mark & Brian - KLOS-FM
- Longstanding Local/Regional (20 years or more)
Cokie Roberts - Political Reporter, NPR
- Longstanding Network/Syndication (20 years or more)
Angie Martinez - WWPR-FM New York City
- Active Local/Regional (10 years or more)
The Breakfast Club - Charlamagne Tha God, Angela Yee, DJ Envy, Premiere Networks, WWPR-FM
- Active Network/Syndication (10 years or more)
Sway Calloway - Sirius XM Shade 45 Channel
- Public Vote Music Format On-Air Personality
Glenn Beck - The Glenn Beck Show, Premiere Networks
- Public Vote Spoken Word On-Air Personality
Donnie Simpson - WMMJ-FM Washington D.C.
- Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee inductee
“Each year, I continue to be impressed by the caliber of our inductees, who deserve recognition for the high-quality radio they bring to listeners,” said Kraig Kitchin, chair of the Radio Hall of Fame. “I’d like to thank the Nominating Committee members for their valuable time to being part of the voting process.”
“The 2020 Class of inductees represents the diversity of voices that is heard on radio stations all across America,” said Dennis Green, chief revenue officer for Sun & Fun Media and Key Networks as well as chair of the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee. “It’s an honor to contribute my time to leading this committee.”
“The Museum of Broadcast Communications has been proud to be the home of the Radio Hall of Fame since 1991,” said David Plier, the museum’s board chair. “And this class of inductees is especially important as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of this still vital medium.”
Four inductees were determined by a voting participant panel of 600 industry professionals and three were voted by the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, two with input from the listening public. The outcome of the listener vote for music and spoken word format on-air personalities counted as one vote among the committee votes. The votes were monitored by certified public accounting firm Miller Kaplan Arase, LLP.
Sponsors of the 2020 Radio Hall of Fame induction include Premiere Networks and the Weiss Agency.
2020 LISTENER VOTING BEGINS MONDAY, JULY 27
Listener voting for the 2020 Radio Hall of Fame begins at 6 a.m. ET today, Monday, July 27, and runs through 11:59 p.m. PT Sunday, Aug. 9.
Listener voting for the 2020 Radio Hall of Fame begins at 6 a.m. ET on Monday, July 27 and runs through 11:59 p.m. PT Sunday, Aug. 9.
Radio listeners can vote in two categories to help determine the inductees for on-air personalities in either the music or spoken word format categories. Listeners may register to vote at www.radiovote.com. There is only one vote per listener per category.
NOMINEES TO BE VOTED ON BY LISTENERS/RADIO HALL OF FAME NOMINATING COMMITTEE:
Music Format On-Air Personality
Whitney Allen - The Big Time with Whitney Allen, Westwood One
Bob & Sheri - The Bob and Sheri Show, Westwood One
Sway Calloway - Sirius XM Shade 45 Channel
John Boy & Billy - The John Boy & Billy Show, Premiere Networks
Spoken Word On-Air Personality
Glenn Beck - The Glenn Beck Show, Premiere Networks
John & Ken - The John & Ken Show, KFI-AM Los Angeles
Stephanie Miller - The Stephanie Miller Show, WYD Media
Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me - NPR
“Listener voting is an opportunity for direct input from radio fans who get to vote their choice,” observed Radio Hall of Fame Chair Kraig Kitchin.
“It’s a fun part of the overall induction process,” added Dennis Green, chair of the Nominating Committee.
Four additional categories will be voted on by a panel of 600 industry professionals. Nominees were determined by the Radio Hall of Fame’s Nominating Committee, following suggestions from professionals across the industry. Inductees in the two listener-voted categories will be determined by the public, who will vote via Votem, as well as the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee. The outcome of the listener vote will count as one vote among the committee votes. The votes will be monitored by certified public accounting firm Miller Kaplan Arase, LLP. All inductees will be announced Aug. 17.
The Museum of Broadcast Communication’s 2020 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be a live radio broadcast from multiple locations this October. The exact date and additional details will be announced along with the inductees from all six categories later this summer.
Sponsors of 2020 Radio Hall of Fame induction include Premiere Networks and the Weiss Agency.
The Radio Hall of Fame is housed at and a project of the Museum of Broadcast Communication, a 501(c)(3) organization.
2020 Nominees Announced. Voting begins July 13.
The Radio Hall of Fame has announced this year’s 24 nominees in a total of six categories. Industry voting in four of those categories begins next Monday, July 13. Listener voting in the other two categories begins on July 20.
The Radio Hall of Fame has announced this year’s 24 nominees in a total of six categories.
Industry voting in four of those categories begins next Monday, July 13.
Listener voting in the other two categories begins on July 27.
Due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns, the 2020 induction ceremony will be a live radio broadcast from multiple locations this October. The exact date and additional details will be announced along with the inductees later this summer.
“2020 marks 100 years of radio and, while we regret that we cannot hold an in-person event this year, we’re looking forward to the excitement of a live, multi-location radio broadcast,” stated Kraig Kitchin, Chair of the Radio Hall of Fame. “I want to thank Dennis Green, Chair of this year’s Nominating Committee, and all the radio professionals who are volunteering their time and expertise to the difficult task of selecting inductees from such an impressive list.”
Green, Chief Revenue Officer of Sun & Fun Media and Key Networks, added, “I look forward to working with the Committee and to honoring the 2020 Radio Hall of Fame inductees during the special live radio broadcast.”
Nominees were determined by the organization’s Nominating Committee, following suggestions from radio professionals across the industry. The nominees in the four industry-voted categories will be voted on by a voting participant panel comprised of 600 industry professionals, who will receive confidential ballots from online voting service Votem. The winners in the two listener-voted categories will be determined by the public, who will also vote via Votem, and the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee. The outcome of the listener vote will count as one vote among the committee votes. The votes will be monitored by certified public accounting firm Miller Kaplan Arase, LLP.
Inductees will be announced on August 17. Premiere Networks has signed on as this year’s first sponsor of the live broadcast.
NOMINEES TO BE VOTED ON BY VOTING PARTICIPANT PANEL:
Longstanding Local/Regional (20 years or more)
Mark & Brian - KLOS-FM
Bobby Rich - KFMB-FM San Diego & KMXZ-FM Tucson
Bob Rivers - KJR-FM Seattle
Donnie Simpson - WMMJ-FM Washington D.C.
Active Local/Regional (10 years or more)
Angie Martinez - WWPR-FM New York City
Matt Siegel - WXKS-FM Boston
Elliot Segal - WWDC-FM Washington D.C.
Bob Stroud - WDRV-FM Chicago
Longstanding Network/Syndication (20 years or more)
Sid Mark - Host, Sounds of Sinatra
Joey Reynolds - Host, WOR Radio Network
Cokie Roberts - Political Reporter, NPR
Suzyn Waldman - New York Yankees Radio Network
Active Network/Syndication (10 years or more)
The Breakfast Club - Charlamagne Tha God, Angela Yee, DJ Envy, Premiere Networks
Larry Elder - Salem Radio Network
Jaime Jarrin - Los Angeles Dodgers Network
Kim Komando - Host, Kim Komando Show, Westar Radio Network
NOMINEES TO BE VOTED ON BY LISTENERS/RADIO HALL OF FAME NOMINATING COMMITTEE:
Music Format On-Air Personality
Whitney Allen - The Big Time with Whitney Allen, Westwood One
Bob & Sheri - The Bob and Sheri Show, Westwood One
Sway Calloway - Sirius XM Shade 45 Channel
John Boy & Billy - The John Boy & Billy Show, Premiere Networks
Spoken Word On-Air Personality
Glenn Beck - The Glenn Beck Show, Premiere Networks
John & Ken - The John & Ken Show, KFI-AM Los Angeles
Stephanie Miller - The Stephanie Miller Show, WYD Media
Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me - NPR