Honoring Some Amazing Talent
The 31st ANNUAL RADIO HALL OF FAME Induction Ceremony took place FRIDAY (11/8) at GOTHAM HALL in NEW YORK CITY.
The 2019 inductees included SEAN “HOLLYWOOD” HAMILTON, HARRY HARRISON, KEVIN RYDER and GENE “BEAN” BAXTER (KEVIN & BEAN), JOE MADISON, JIM ROME, RYAN SEACREST, JOHN TESH and DR. RUTH WESTHEIMER. BROOKE & JUBAL in the Morning, were this year’s recipients of THE RADIO HALL OF FAME’s “One To Watch” award.
Master of Ceremonies and 2018 RADIO HALL OF FAME inductee MIKE FRANCESA got the ceremony underway.
Special guests and fellow RHOF inductees JIM BOHANNON, JIM KERR and KID KELLY were on-hand, with BOHANNON serving as the RHOF announcer.
JIM ROME was first to receive his honor, and expressed "deep, deep gratitude … I’ve always had people around me who are better than me…who told me what I needed to hear, not what I wanted to hear.”
MADISON was next and he lovingly thanked his wife and Exec. Producer SHARON “SHERRY” MADISON. He told a story about when he dies and goes to heaven, “I will ask GOD, is SHERRY here [or will she be]? Because if she’s not, it certainly can’t be heaven.”
Actor CHRISTIAN SLATER via video, introduced HAMILTON, and noted, “This man was a huge influence on me … thank you for being a part of my life.” HAMILTON then thanked all the other inductees and said, “I want to dedicate this to my love of my life, my incredible wife MARINA.”
HARRY HARRISON commented, “I've always loved radio … to be a part of it [radio] is very exciting. I appreciate this,” and received a standing ovation.
Following their last show together on NOVEMBER 7th KEVIN RYDER and GENE “BEAN” BAXTER shared kind remarks. RYDER noted, "I’m here because BEAN chose me as his partner … he would’ve been here [RHOF] with whoever his partner was and I’m happy it was me.” BEAN added, “I could’ve been on the radio with anyone, but there wouldn’t be magic. The universe brought us together. We were so darn lucky that happened.”
CONNIE SELLECCA introduced her husband, JOHN TESH. She generously thanked all their radio partners and talked about being in a family business. TESH discussed his 2015 cancer diagnosis, but stated he’s cancer free because of his “faith in divine healing.” He expressed his gratitude for his family and for the honor of being in the RADIO HALL OF FAME.
Dr. RUTH WESTHEIMER talked about radio being the best medium, “even better than TV.” And while “it’s nice to have become a celebrity … I see it as passing on correct information about human sexuality,” she explained.
JIMMY FALLON entertained attendees with wit and a warm intro of his friend RYAN SEACREST. SEACREST said, “We truly do it [radio] because it’s in our blood. We do it because it’s something we can’t live without … I never imagined this room, these legends, this career."
0 Comments