Snow Can’t Slow Radio HOF Awards

• The 30th Annual Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday evening tested everyone’s resolve as attendees and inductees battled traffic, downed trees, street closures and more winter treats, courtesy of New York City’s first snow of the season.

Radio Hall of Fame Chairman Kraig Kitchin (pictured here with host Scott Shannon) welcomed everyone by announcing the rebranding of the organization with a new name, swell new logo, website and more.

Despite the weather outside, the evening wasn’t short on laughs, tears and standing ovations. Mark Levin was first to receive his honor, commenting, “Rush Limbaugh took me under his wing, a great decent, very nice man,” adding, “Sean Hannity is like a brother to me.” Fred Jacobs acknowledged that he was “the outlier of the night” as the first radio consultant to be inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame. Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic (Mike & Mike) shared their story about how they looked like the number 10 when they stood next to each other. Greenberg commented they now look like the number 11, as Golic is much thinner. Golic also noted, “We didn’t want to be blue; we wanted to be a family show and that’s the route we went.”

• Jim Harper introduced WAXQ (Q104.3)/New York morning personality Jim Kerr as “The People’s Prince of New York Radio,” and Dr. Laura Schlessinger earned applause when she said before she was in radio, she listened to Cousin Brucie. She added, “For me this is not a job, it’s a mission.”

(Pictured, l-r: Fred Jacobs, Mark Levin, Jim Kerr and Jonathon Brandmeier)

When introducing Jonathon Brandmeier, his boss, Jimmy de Castro, SVP/Market Manager of Entercom Chicago joked, “If this was Chicago, the snow would’ve been plowed, we’d all be in the bar and this would’ve been over two hours ago!” Johnny B commented, “Our hotel is six blocks from here, we’re in the car for two hours and my wife of 37 years says, ‘Let’s make a run for it’ — and we did! That’s a queen!”

• Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor Alan Alda introduced inductee Joan Hamburg (left), by saying, “She has the ability to interview anybody with grace and good humor.”

Hamburg commented, “We are so lucky because no matter what, [radio] is still about community… We make a difference in peoples’ lives.”

Mike Francesa commented, “How great is it to stand up here at the same microphone as Alan Alda?! One of my all-time favorite TV stars… That was a big thrill.”

• Final inductee Kid Kelly (left), who was introduced by Cousin Brucie (Bruce Morrow) and congratulated via video by Taylor Swift and Dr. Phil, commented, “My aunt gave me the greatest gift — belief in myself.”

Addressing the room, Kelly said, “Thank you for supporting a challenged child and making his dreams come true.” The final inductee, Nanci Donnellan was unable to attend. The Mix Group was the presenting sponsor of this year’s event. [Special thanks to Amir Forester!]