The late Jim Bohannon, a syndicated talk radio star who received the TALKERS Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2013 national convention, will be posthumously honored again at the annual gathering.
According to Talkers, the award will now be called The Jim Bohannon Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the industry. TALKERS VP/executive editor Kevin Casey praised Bohannon’s 60-year career in radio, which began as a DJ and news reporter before he became one of the most renowned talk show hosts in history.
Bohannon was widely respected for his journalistic integrity, dependability, longevity, talent, and goodwill toward his colleagues. Even in the face of a brave battle with esophageal cancer, he performed on air until almost the end.
The award ceremony will take place on Friday, June 2, at Hofstra University. The Gene Burns Memorial Award for Freedom of Speech, The Judy Jarvis Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievements by a Woman (Woman of the Year), and The Sharon L. Harrison Memorial Award for Outstanding Community Service (Humanitarian of the Year) will also be presented at the ceremony. The recipients of all four awards will be announced in the coming weeks.
Over 50 years in broadcasting, Bohannon was widely recognized as one of the industry’s most adaptable and multi-talented personalities. In 1993, after honing his skills as Larry King’s primary backup, Bohannon took over the coveted nighttime talk slot. He became a part of Westwood One in 1983.
