ANNOUNCING THE 2021 INDUCTEES

The Museum of Broadcast Communications announced today the selection of eight new inductees as well as a new class of Legacy inductees, into the Radio Hall of Fame for 2021. The 2021 Radio Hall of Fame inductees will be honored at the in-person 2021 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday, October 28, 2021, at Chicago’s Wintrust Grand Banking Hall.

Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, September 1st. A portion of ticket purchases is a tax-deductible charitable donation to the Museum of Broadcast Communications.  
 

THE 2021 RADIO HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES ARE:

Brother Wease – Radio 95.1, Rochester, NY 
Longstanding Network/Syndication (20 years or more)

Elliot Segal – DC 101, Washington, DC  
Active Local/Regional (10 years or more)

Dan Patrick – The Dan Patrick Show 
Longstanding Networks/Syndication (20 years or more)

Kim Komando – The Kim Komando Show
Active Network/Syndication (10 Years or more)

Javier Romero – WAMR-FM/Amor 107.5, Univision Miami
Music Format On-Air Personality

Preston & Steve – 93.3 WMMR, Philadelphia, PA
Spoken Word On-Air Personality

Erica Farber - President and CEO, Radio Advertising Bureau.

Bill Siemering - Founding Director of Programming and Founding Member of the Board of Directors, NPR.

Four inductees were determined by a voting participant panel comprised of more than 600 industry professionals and four inductees were voted on by the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, two with input from the public.  The outcome of the listener vote for a music format and spoken word format on-air personality counted as one vote among the committee votes. The process was overseen by the certified public accounting firm Miller Kaplan Arase LLP. 

 In addition, to honor the 100th year of radio, the Radio Hall of Fame has established a Legends induction, recognizing the talents and efforts of air personalities, programmers and operators who although they have died, spent their lives contributing their talents to the industry. While the industry celebrates 100 years of existence, the industry’s Hall of Fame is only 33 years into existence. The centennial milestone provides an opportunity to recognize the talents and efforts of 33 individuals in 2021, as well.  

Kraig T. Kitchin, Radio Hall of Fame chairman, commented: “I’m thrilled to welcome this deserving Class of 2021 and look forward to celebrating their inductions in late October in Chicago.  In addition, it’s my honor to announce and recognize the talents of individuals who provided the foundation for so much of our industry’s success, but have not been yet recognized by this institution. These individuals have earned their place within the Radio Hall of Fame. We used the opportunity of this medium’s 100th anniversary to undertake a review  of the industry’s past performers and operators, to identify a select group of industry legends that left us before they could be properly recognized. We honor their contributions and their memory by these inductions.“   

The following 33 radio legends take their place in the Radio Hall of Fame immediately, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of radio:
 

Aku aka Hal Lewis - air personality in Honolulu in 1960-1980’s on KGU and KGMB.

Raul Alarcon Sr - radio executive and founder of Spanish Broadcast Systems (SBS).

Jackson Armstrong - air personality in Cleveland in 1960–1980’s on WIXY, WKYC, WKBW and other stations.

Dr. Joy Browne - syndicated talk radio air personality based from WOR-AM / New York City.

Frankie Crocker - air personality in Buffalo and New York City in 1950–1980’s on WUFO, WWRL, WMCA  and WBLS-FM.

Don Cornelius - air personality, WVON-AM, Chicago.

Tom Donahue - air personality in San Francisco in 1960– 1980’s on KYA, KMPX, KSAN.

Bill Drake - programmer and founder, Drake-Chenault Enterprises.

Arlene Francis - air personality in New York City in 1930-1960’s and first female host of NBC’s Monitor.

Barry Gray - talk radio air personality in 1940-1980’s in New York City on WOR and WMCA.

Toni Grant - talk radio air personality in Los Angeles in 1970-1980’s on KABC-AM and others via syndication.

Petey Greene - air personality in Washington D.C. in 1960-1980’s on WOL-AM.

Maurice “Hot Rod“ Hulbert - air personality in Baltimore and Memphis in 1950 -1970’s.

Jocko Henderson - air personality in Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore in 1950-1970’s.

E. Rodney Jones - air personality in Chicago in the 1960’s on WVON-AM.

Chuck Leonard - air personality in New York City in 1960-1970’s on WWRL, WABC, WXLO, WRKS, WBLS and others.

Melvin Lindsey - the originator of the “Quiet Storm“ late-night music programming format and Washington D.C air personality    the 1970-1980’s.

Ron Lundy - air personality in New York City in 1960–1980’s on WABC and WCBS-FM.

Mary Margaret McBride - nationally syndicated talk personality based in New York City, 1930-1970’s.

Ruth Ann Meyer - programmer of New York City radio stations in 1950-1960’s.

Murray “Murray the K” Kaufman - air personality in New York City, 1950-1980’s on stations WINS and WOR-FM.

Manuel “Paco“ Navarro - air personality in New York City in 1970-1980’s on WKTU-FM.

Pat O’Day - air personality, station owner and concert promoter in Seattle in 1960-1980’s.

Eddie O’Jay - air personality and pioneer of R&B radio in Milwaukee and Cleveland in 19960-1980’s.

Stu Olds - radio executive and CEO, Katz Media 1970-2010.

Alison Steele - air personality in New York City in 1960-1980’s on WNEW-AM and WNEW-FM.

“The Real” Don Steele - air personality in 1950-1980’s in Los Angeles on various stations.

Martha Jean “The Queen“ Steinberg - air personality in Memphis and Detroit in 1950-1980’s.

Todd Storz - radio executive and owner of Storz Broadcasting Company.

Jay Thomas - air personality in New York and Los Angeles in 1970-1990’s.

Rufus Thomas - air personality in Memphis in 1950-1980’s.

McHenry “Mac” Tichenor - radio executive, broadcast station owner of Tichenor Media (Heftel).

Nat D. Williams - air personality in Memphis in 1940-1970’s on WDIA-AM.

Dennis Green, Radio Hall of Fame’s Nominating Committee chair, remarked: “We are excited to not only announce a fantastic group of inductees for the Class of 2021, but on the 100th anniversary of radio, we honor legends of our industry for their contributions. The best part is having an in-person induction to honor this year’s inductees as well as members of the 2020 Radio Hall of Fame class. It’s an honor to recognize the new class of inductees, as well as legends of our industry this year.”

David Plier, Chairman of the Museum of Broadcast Communications (MBC), noted: “I’m proud to see the list of ‘Legends’ in this inaugural year and the Class of 2021 Radio Hall of Fame inductees, chosen by this year’s Nominating Committee. The combined list is the most diverse group of nominees in the hall of fame’s history, which is reflective of the audiences that are and have been listening to radio stations across America all these years.”

The Mix Group is the presenting sponsor of the Radio Hall of Fame 2021 induction ceremony.

2021 Nominees Announced

The Museum of Broadcast Communications announced today the selection of the Radio Hall of Fame 2021 nominees: 24 people and shows in six categories. The nominees were chosen by the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, with input from the radio industry and listeners.  

• Radio Industry Voting Begins Today; Public Voting Begins Monday, July 26

• In-Person 2021 Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Will Be Held in Chicago Thursday, October 28, at Wintrust Grand Banking Hall

Voting for inductees begins today in four of six categories: Longstanding Local/Regional (20 years or more), Active Local/Regional (10 years or more), Longstanding Network/Syndication (20 years or more), and Longstanding Network/Syndication (20 years or more). Those categories will be voted on by a panel of 600 industry professionals.  

On July 26, listeners nationwide will vote on the other two categories, Music Format On-Air Personality and Spoken Word On-Air Personality. The winners in those categories will be determined by the public and the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee. The outcome of the listener vote will count as one vote among the committee votes. Listeners may vote once beginning Monday, July 26 at: www.radiovote.com.

2021 Radio Hall of Fame inductees will be announced Monday, August 16, and honored in-person at the 2021 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday, October 28, 2021, at Chicago’s Wintrust Grand Banking Hall. Tickets will go on-sale Monday, August 16. 

NOMINEES TO BE VOTED ON BY INDUSTRY VOTING PANEL:

Longstanding Local/Regional (20 years or more)

John & Ken - KFI-AM / Los Angeles

Melvin Lindsey - Washington (The Quiet Storm)

Matt Siegel - KISS 108 / Boston

Brother Wease (Alan Levin) - Radio 95.1 / Rochester, NY

Active Local/Regional (10 years or more)

Laurie De Young - 93.1 WPOC-FM /Baltimore

Mercedes Martinez - Mix 94.1 / Las Vegas

Elliot Segal - DC 101 / Washington, DC

Bob Stroud - 97.1 The Drive / Chicago

 
Longstanding Network/Syndication (20 years or more)

Dr. Bobby Jones - Host, The Bobby Jones Radio Show

Dan Patrick - Host, The Dan Patrick Show

Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me - National Public Radio (NPR)

Suzyn Waldman - Color Commentator, New York Yankees Network

Active Network/Syndication (10 years or more)

Bob & Sheri - Co-hosts, The Bob & Sheri Show

Kim Komando - Host, The Kim Komando Show

Sid Mark - Host, Sounds of Sinatra

Chris “Mad Dog” Russo - Host, Mad Dog Unleashed on SiriusXM

NOMINEES TO BE VOTED ON BY LISTENERS/RADIO HALL OF FAME NOMINATING COMMITTEE:

Music Format On-Air Personality

Russ Parr - Host, The Russ Parr Show

Javier Romero - Morning Host, AMOR 107.5, WAMR-FM /Miami

Alex Sensation - Morning Host, Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS)

Steven Van Zandt - Host, Little Steven’s Underground Garage

Spoken Word On-Air Personality

Alex Bennett - Morning Host & Talk Show Personality

Larry Elder - Host, The Larry Elder Show, Salem Media

Preston Elliot and Steve Morrison, Co-hosts of Preston & Steve - 93.3 WMMR / Philadelphia

Sally Jessy Raphael - Talk Show Personality

 
Kraig T. Kitchin, Radio Hall of Fame chairman, commented: “I’m so thrilled to recognize our 2021 nominees, and look forward to our upcoming in-person induction ceremony in Chicago Thursday, October 28. We’ll not only welcome 2021 inductees, but we will also welcome and honor the 2020 inductee class on that special evening this fall.”

Dennis Green, Radio Hall of Fame’s Nominating Committee chair, added: “It is an honor to chair the Nominating Committee of the Radio Hall of Fame and recognize our industry’s most esteemed professionals and their tremendous achievements informing and entertaining audiences throughout their careers. We look forward to welcoming the 2021 inductees as well as the 2020 inductees to honor them in person this year in Chicago.”

Leading radio imaging and production company, The Mix Group, is a presenting sponsor of the 2021 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

The Radio Hall of Fame was founded by the Emerson Radio Corporation in 1988. The Museum of Broadcast Communications took over operations in 1991. 

The Museum of Broadcast Communications is recognizing radio’s 100th anniversary with a variety of events and exhibits in 2021, including special tributes and recognition of the many talented men and women who have contributed to the medium’s ongoing success.

Nominations Now Accepted Through March 31st

The Museum of Broadcast Communications announces that the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee will accept suggestions for 2021 nominees beginning today through March 31, 2021.

To submit honoree picks for consideration, please visit the Nominate page.

Suggestions for Radio Hall of Fame nominees can be made in the following categories: 

• Longstanding Local/Regional (20 years or more) 

• Active Local/Regional (10 years or more)

• Networks/Syndication (10 years or more)

• Longstanding Network/Syndication (20 years or more) 

• Music Format On-Air Personality 

• Spoken Word On-Air Personality
  

Kraig T. Kitchin, Chairman, Radio Hall of Fame, commented: “We’re looking forward to celebrating the lifelong talents and career milestones of some of radio’s greatest! The first part of our annual process is fielding suggestions from listeners and industry members alike. It’s our priority to provide everyone the opportunity to be a part of this process.”

Dennis Green, Nominating Committee Chair, Radio Hall of Fame, added: “Our Nominating Committee reviews the input our industry and listening base provides, in addition to bringing their own ideas for nominations to a set of meetings held each year to determine our nominees across all formats and all genres of our industry.”

Inductees will be honored at the annual Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony, with plans to be held live in Chicago at a date to be announced later this year. Leading radio imaging and production company, The Mix Group, is a presenting sponsor of the 2021 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

The Radio Hall of Fame was founded by the Emerson Radio Corporation in 1988. The Museum of Broadcast Communications took over operations of the Hall in 1991. 

The Museum of Broadcast Communications is recognizing Radio’s 100th anniversary with a variety of events in 2021, including special tributes and recognition of the many talented men and women who’ve contributed to the medium’s ongoing success.