The Museum of Broadcast Communications has revealed the eight members being inducted into the prestigious Radio Hall of Fame within its Class of 2024. Over 900 industry professionals made personnel selections for the 2024 class, and the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee chose two additional inductees. Longtime radio executive and consultant Kraig Kitchin and veteran sports announcer Jaime Jarrín are among the nominating class alongside seven other professionals, all of whom will be inducted within a ceremony on Sept. 19.
Kitchin is currently the president of talent management firm Sound Mind and a strategic advisor for media placement agency Oxford Road. Before beginning his own company, he was a co-founder of Premiere Radio Networks and later became its president and chief operating officer, overseeing its syndication and services throughout the country. During his time at the company, he oversaw programming hosted by personalities such as Bob Costas, Jim Rome, Whoopi Goldberg and Ryan Seacrest among others. Moreover, he was responsible for supervising other properties under the purview of the company, including FOX Sports Radio, MJI Programming and Mediabase 24/7.
Before working at Premiere Radio Networks, Kitchin was the sales manager of the Katz Radio Group Network in Los Angeles, Calif. Kitchin also serves as the chairman of the Radio Hall of Fame and works with co-chairman Dennis Green, who is the chief operating officer of Sun & Fun Media/Key Networks.
“Congratulations to each of our inductees this year on this well-deserved recognition,” David Plier, chairman of the Museum of Broadcast Communications, said in a statement. “I am grateful to the members of the Nominating Committee for presenting a diverse and inclusive group of nominees again this year for industry consideration. Co-Chairmen Dennis Green and Kraig Kitchin are providing excellent leadership in involving so many industry voices to this annual induction process. I am appreciative of their many years of service and leadership.”
Jarrín, the longtime Spanish-language radio voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers, is also among the inductees within this year’s class. Jarrín started his work on Dodgers games during the 1959 season and became the lead Spanish-language broadcaster for the team 14 years later. After 64 seasons with the team, he retired from broadcasting following the 2022 season. During his career, he was honored with the Ford C. Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 1998, becoming the second Spanish-language broadcaster to be granted the honor.
The Radio Hall of Fame will also induct other distinguished industry professionals this year, including Lee Harris, Phil Hendrie, Mary McCoy, Matt Siegel, Barry Mayo and The Crook & Chase Countdown duo of Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase. Emerson Radio Corporation established the Radio Hall of Fame in 1988, and the entity has been operated by the Museum of Broadcast Communications since 1991.
“The Radio Hall of Fame welcomes eight new members that have made a lasting impact on the industry,” Dennis Green, co-chair of the Radio Hall of Fame, said in a statement. “This class, like the ones before it, exemplifies the highest standards of excellence that radio broadcasters have upheld throughout radio’s rich history, making this medium so special to generations of listeners. These individuals have entertained, informed, and enriched listeners with their special talents, and it is an honor to recognize them as the Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2024.”
