Presenting Your Radio HOF Class Of 2019
• Last Friday night at Gotham Hall in New York City, the Radio Hall Of Fame inducted nine esteemed new members. WFAN/New York personality Mike Francesa, a 2018 Radio HOF inductee served as Master of Ceremonies and welcomed fellow RHOF members Jim Bohannon (’03), and 2018 inductees Jim Kerr andKid Kelly, with Bohannon serving as the evening’s announcer.
Jim Rome was first to receive his 2019 honor. Rome remarked that his best work is ahead of him and that he has “deep, deep gratitude… I’ve always had people around me who are better than me… who told me what I needed to hear, not what I wanted to hear.”
Joe Madison movingly thanked Sharon “Sherry” Madison, his wife and executive producer. Madison told a story about when he dies and goes to heaven, “I will ask God, ‘is Sherry here [or will she be]?’ Because if she’s not, it certainly can’t be heaven.”
Actor Christian Slater introduced Sean “Hollywood” Hamilton via video, commenting, “This man was a huge influence on me… thank you for being a part of my life.” Hamilton thanked all the other inductees and ultimately said, “I want to dedicate this to my love of my life, my incredible wife Marina.”
• Eighty-nine-year-old New York radio legend Harry Harrison (WMCA, WABC, WCBS-FM), commented, “I always loved radio… to be a part of it is very exciting. I appreciate this,” and received a standing ovation.
Kevin Ryder and Gene “Bean” Baxter shared sentimental remarks on the heels of Bean’s last day on KROQ/Los Angeles on Thursday, Nov. 7. Ryder said, “I’m here because Bean chose me as his partner… he would’ve been here with whoever his partner was, and I’m happy it was me.” Bean commented, “I could’ve been on the radio with anyone but there wouldn’t be magic. The universe brought us together. We were so darn lucky that happened.”
Connie Sellecca introduced her husband, John Tesh, generously thanked all their radio partners and talked about being in a family business. Tesh announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer in 2015 but stated he’s cancer-free because of his “faith in divine healing.” He went on to express his gratitude for his family and for the honor of being in the Radio Hall of Fame.
Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon (pictured above with “Radio’s Best Friend,” Art Vuolo), entertained attendees with his humorous and heartfelt introduction of his friend Ryan Seacrest, who said, “We truly do radio because it’s in our blood. We do it because it’s something we can’t live without… I never imagined this room, these legends, this career…”
The Radio Hall of Fame also recognized Brooke Fox and Jubal Fresh, hosts of Premiere Networks-syndicated Brooke & Jubal in the Morning as this year’s recipients of the RHOF’s “One to Watch” award.
Group photo, top, (l-r): Jim Rome, Sean “Hollywood” Hamilton, Ryan Seacrest, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Joe Madison, Kevin Ryder, Gene “Bean” Baxter, Harry Harrison and John Tesh. [Group photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Radio Hall of Fame; Harry Harrison & Art Vuolo photos courtesy of Art Vuolo]
