The Radio Hall of Fame Welcomes the Class of 2025

The Radio Hall of Fame held its annual induction ceremony on Thursday night. The Swissotel in Chicago, Illinois served as the location for this year’s event, where the radio industry’s best were recognized for their contributions. In attendance for the evening were Glenn Beck, Clay Travis, Katie Neal, John Jay & Rich, Fred, Jamie Horowitz, Dan Mason, and numerous executives, programmers, agents, and business professionals. Photos from the event will be posted on Friday on RadioHallofFame.com.

This year’s event will be re-broadcast as a special two-hour show on a ton of iHeartRadio stations and SiriusXM. It will air Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Visit the hall of fame’s website for further details.

Kraig Kitchin and Dennis Green set the scene before recognizing 8 radio legends who received induction. Honored with a special video were Richard Burden, Joanne Church, Jed The Fish, Irna Phillips, Steve Smith, Amos Brown, Don Wade, and Dale Somers.

Kim Komando then took the reins as host, welcoming everyone to the show. She shared a great story about the risk she took leaving behind a high paying job in tech in the 90’s for a $50 per week Saturday night show in Phoenix on KFYI. Komando made the point that radio is hard but when it’s in your blood, you don’t stop. Those who stick with it and become great at it, sometimes even reap the reward of being inducted into the radio hall of fame.

Julie Talbott

Following a video introduction from Buck Sexton and Clay Travis, Premiere Networks’ President Julie Talbott took the stage to start the ceremony. Julie kept it short and sweet, expressing her gratitude for being recognized, thanking her talent and team for the key roles they’ve played in helping her succeed. She shared how much she loves and believes in radio, and thanked her family and all in attendance for their support.

Tom ‘Mojo in the Morning’ Carballo

After a great video introduction from his son and Tampa radio host Joe Carballo, Mojo accepted his honor. He began by sharing how proud he was as a father of his kids. Tom then gave a shout out to his first audience in Illinois, Tod Kavanaugh, and Art Vuolo. He thanked Bob Pittman for bringing the fun back to radio, telling a great story of how Bob took him on a sales call to General Motors because the CEO was a regular listener to his show and it showed Tom that what he was doing mattered to iHeart.

Mojo then offered thanks to Randy Michaels, Brad Hardin, Tim Richards for their influence on his career. He explained how proud he is to be the longest running morning show in Detroit and work on a great radio station in Channel 955 with an awesome group. Tony Travatto was highlighted as well for his ability to be a mentor, friend, and incredible programmer.

Tom apologized to his sons for being open about them on the air but thanked them for not holding grudges and loving their dad. He recognized his brother in-law Scott for helping him through contractual situations, dedicating his induction to him. Mojo finished with an emotional story, sharing that his wife Chelsea was diagnosed with ovarian cancer a month after learning he was going into the radio hall of fame. He expressed how much his wife means to him, and told her, ‘you will win, and we will win as a family’.

Martha Quinn

iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman appeared on video, sharing what’s made Martha Quinn special throughout her career, detailing how she got her break at MTV. Martha then took the stage, and opened up by talking about her early relationship with Pittman.

Martha discussed her entry into radio, which started in high school and continued in college, before she earned a break with MTV. She thanked iHeart for their support, crediting Jon Zellner, Brad Hardin, and Tom Poleman for setting her up for success. Quinn shouted out her homebase crew in San Francisco, as well as her husband, providing insight on how involved he is in helping her craft the show.

The sparks of genius from the musicians Quinn has had the opportunity to showcase were next to receive acknowledgement including Alice Cooper. Martha explained that singing the hook ‘school’s out for summer’ at the top of your lungs just feels good, and is therapeutic. After recognizing Kraig Kitchin, Dennis Green and the Radio Hall of Fame for uniting the industry and recognizing her work, Martha closed by directing a final message to The Bungles, famous for the song ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’. Quinn remarked, ‘it looks like video didn’t kill the radio star.’

Alice Cooper

The Rock and Roll legend and host of ‘Alice’s Attic’ spoke next. Alice opened by thanking the audience for the kind ovation, joking that it’s especially impressive because everyone’s parents hated him. Cooper then shared how he fell in love with radio early on, but didn’t explore the idea of doing it until he met Dick Clark. During a conversation, Clark asked him ‘if you had a radio show, what would it be?’ He said, ‘let’s take it back to 1968 where DJ’s played what they wanted to play, and said what they wanted to say.’

Cooper shared how he understood the importance of following a playlist but also needed to have the freedom to play things that mattered to him. He explained how doing shows remotely using Pro Tools made it possible for him to stay consistent. To this day, it’s one of the things he enjoys most, even after 20+ years.

Alice talked about radio’s importance in growing artists, and being the heartbeat of the music industry. He thanked Steve Smith, Andy Denmark, Eric Faison, and a number of people involved with making the show possible. Cooper pointed out how his relationships and experiences have helped guide his storytelling abilities, sharing that the bigger the music star, the nicer they were. As a result, he’s tried to remember that and lead his life the same way.

DeDe McGuire

DeDe started by sharing that she was 19 when her career started. She was a receptionist first before landing her first job at KIIZ in Killeen, Texas. McGuire said she knew the second she started behind the mic that she had a platform that could change people’s lives, and it did something to her and made her want to do more of it. She mentioned how it’s not always easy for women in radio, but she’s now going into the radio hall of fame so it can be done.

DeDe sees her job as talking to people every day and giving them something to think about. Sometimes that involves making them laugh, discussing important issues, and in some cases, providing hope. Growing up, McGuire said she and her brother would drive an hour to get coffee and donuts and listen to Tom Joyner, and it influenced her desire to pursue the path.

Waking up at 3am hasn’t always been easy, but McGuire understood her assignment and responsibility. She thanked Compass Media Networks and various others for their support, including Don Anthony for giving her a platform at Morning Show Bootcamp, which led to earning a syndication deal with Compass. DeDe then thanked her agent Steve Mandel, joking that he’s been with her longer than her husband.

In closing, DeDe singled out her mother and the way she raised her and her brothers to think outside the box. She then thanked her husband, the Radio Hall of Fame, and Thea Mitchem, before dedicating the award to her brothers and sisters.

Bob and Sheri

The longtime syndicated duo took the stage and opened up by sharing how they’ve built a connection with their audience, making them feel a part of the inside jokes. Among them is a long running bit around their manager Tony Garcia being cheap. Because their audience was so familiar with it, a group of listeners formed a Facebook group and crowdfunded their trip to the hall of fame, raising $12,000. They also bought the full page ad in the Radio Hall of Fame program, and arranged for special gifts to be delivered to them.

Sheri remarked that the room they’re in needs to be bigger because there are about a million people who have given them their careers. She shared that they don’t call their listeners an audience, they call them their community and family, and build relationships with them.

Though they’ve worked together for a long time, Sheri pointed out that this is her first and only radio job since getting involved. She shared a story of how her first boss was removed from the building by armed security a few weeks after she started, and he used to refer to her as ‘little girl’. But little girls grow up to co-own the company that creates and delivers the programming said Sheri.

The duo then thanked their families for their love and support, and their team that has been with them for years. Sheri said they never dreamed of getting into the Hall of Fame because it’s something that just happens to you, and when it does, you’re simply grateful. Bob closed by reminding the room of how important great talent is to building great brands before Sheri thanked everyone for welcoming them into the Radio Hall of Fame.

Colin Cowherd

Following an introductory video from Bob Costas, Colin Cowherd took the stage. He opened his speech with a true story, sharing how he worked for a gentleman named Tom Baker in Portland, Oregon. Colin said Tom was cheap and liked to call himself frugal, and at that time, Cowherd was doing local TV and radio, making $36,000 per year to host afternoons, and the ratings were very good. He went to Baker at the end of his deal asking for a raise, and was told the station could only pay him $37,000 otherwise they’d have to turn the lights off because the station wasn’t profitable.

After hearing the response, Colin told Baker, ‘Tom, I have an offer for $75,000 across the street’. Baker paused and said, ‘$80,000, not a penny more or we’ll have to turn the lights off’. Cowherd shared that he learned how to negotiate in that meeting.

Colin then took the room through his early days of breaking in, working at Airborne Express, recognizing how back then the smart people were in newspaper, the handsome people were in TV, and those in radio had eaten lead paint. He explained how radio people tend to think it could all end tomorrow, and they can be cocky when they do well, and allow outside criticism to affect them too much. Years of therapy, having kids, and receiving strong support from his wife helped Colin get to a better place.

Cowherd then shared a story of how much he enjoyed Larry King and was excited to meet him during a visit to ESPN when he learned that Larry loved his show. When they came face to face for the first time, King remarked ‘you owe me $400…you told me last week to take Tennessee and the points, and UCLA beat them by two touchdowns.’ Colin joked ‘Larry liked gambling, marriages, and radio’.

After telling a story about Condoleezza Rice being a fan of ‘The Herd’ and appreciating how he contextualizes sports, Colin delivered one of the best lines of the night. He pointed out that everyone uses the line ‘content is king’ but the truth is, people don’t want content – they want company.

He shared that some will ask him if he gets nervous going on the air, and his answer is no, but that would change if his agent Michael Klein calls and tells him ‘nobody is interested’ or if Julie Talbott calls and says ‘we have one advertiser left, Goldbaum Medicaid’. Colin then wrapped up by recognizing his crew at The Volume and thanking everyone for their support.

Mike McVay

An awesome video from Stephen A. Smith ran, alerting the room of the role Mike McVay played in reviving Stephen A.’s career. Mike McVay then took the stage, acknowledging that he was blown away by some of what Smith shared in the opening video.

Mike thanked everyone in the room for their acknowledgement of his career. He singled out his family and the roles they’ve played in building and maintaining McVay Media. Longtime friend and programmer extraordinaire Charlie Cook was shouted out next. Mike scored a few laughs in the room when he shared that he and Lon Helton share Charlie’s friendship and often argue over who will read his eulogy first when he passes. McVay said Charlie believes they will outlive him.

Next, Mike moved on to acknowledge Heather Cohen and Eric Weiss of The Weiss Agency, advisors of his for the past eighteen years who have become family to him. He also recognized the ‘Friends of Mike’ tables, two tables full of accomplished industry folks who share a strong friendship with the McVay Media President.

Mike explained that he never expected to get the call to the Radio Hall of Fame. A consultant wasn’t inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame until Fred Jacobs received the honor a few years ago.

After highlighting the attendance from some of the college students in the room, Mike cautioned them not to believe the naysayers when they hear them declaring that radio is dead. McVay reminded them that the noise usually comes from those who are no longer in radio. However, industry professionals know that there has never been more ways to connect with an audience than now, and the business is still very much attractive.

McVay joked that he played Alice Cooper’s song ’18’ when he was 18, and thanked Colin Cowherd for setting an example of what great storytelling sounds like. He then sang the praises of Julie Talbott and how she uses grace, focus, and strength along with her sweet southern accent to kick ass and show what great leadership looks like.

Mike wrapped up by thanking his brother Jim, who’s no longer with us. It was Jim’s influence that made Mike want to get into radio. McVay told a story of how he and his brother would watch Cowboy Phil do his radio show in Greensburg, PA as they waited for the train. Phil would disappear at times when songs were playing, leaving Mike to wonder ‘where does he go when the music is playing?’. Jim responded, ‘they play cards, smoke and drink’. Mike decided then, he wanted to do the same.

He then wrapped up with a thank you to the Radio Hall of Fame before exiting the stage.

Additional Highlights

Longtime NPR host Scott Simon and Birmingham, Alabama radio host Shelley “The Playboy” Stewart also earned induction. Simon’s wit and Stewart’s inspirational words and emerging from his wheelchair made a strong connection with the room.

In addition, the Radio Hall of Fame ceremony included details about the new museum. To learn more, visit the HOF website, RadioHallofFame.com.

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