Radio Hall Of Fame Taking Names

• The Museum of Broadcast Communications announced that the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee is now accepting suggestions for 2020 nominees through May 29. Inductees will be honored at the annual Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which is returning to Chicago in late October 2020 (hopefully) at a specific date TBA.

Your suggestions for Radio Hall of Fame nominees can be made in the following categories: 1) Longstanding Local/Regional (20 years or more); 2) Active Local/Regional (10 years or more); 3) Networks/Syndication (10 years or more); 4) Longstanding Network/Syndication (20 years or more); and 5) Music Format On-Air Personality and/or Spoken Word On-Air Personality. Submit your suggestions at radiohalloffame.com and click on the Nominate tab.

This fall also marks the 100th anniversary of the radio industry, which will be incorporated into this year’s celebration. KDKA/Pittsburgh is often cited as the first commercial radio station in the United States for broadcasting the 1920 presidential election returns. The first national radio network was NBC in 1926, followed by CBS in 1927. ABC became a spin-off of one of NBC’s networks in the 1940s.

Kraig T. Kitchin, Chairman of the Radio Hall of Fame, said, “The annual Hall of Fame ceremony is a traditionally heartfelt event that evokes emotion from inductees and attendees. These talented radio broadcast individuals are honored for accomplishments that most only dream of. Being the 100th anniversary of radio makes this year’s celebration even more special.” David Plier, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago remarked, “We are excited to welcome the Radio Hall of Fame back to its hometown of Chicago. However, we continue to monitor the COVID-19 guidelines daily. If the State of Illinois does not reach the goals of a Phase 5 reopening for large gatherings, we will seek other alternatives.”