(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — The Radio Hall of Fame will induct five radio legends — Bob Edwards, Larry Lujack, Dick Purtan, L. Lowry Mays and the late Walter Winchell — during a gala celebration on November 6 at The Renaissance Hotel in Chicago. The Museum of Broadcast Communications, home to America's only Radio Hall of Fame, also is expected to announce several major naming opportunities and donations to its $18 million capital campaign to build a new museum building in downtown Chicago.
"Our 2004 inductees represent radio's diverse talent spectrum," said Bruce DuMont, founder and president of the Museum of Broadcast Communications. "Each have made a lasting impact on radio and will be enshrined for future generations to enjoy, both in our new museum and online."
Glenn Beck of Premiere Radio Networks (PRN) will host the gala broadcast and PRN will produce and distribute the broadcast ceremony nationally. The event will be heard locally in Chicago at 9 pm. CST on WLS-AM (890) and WGN-AM (720). Westwood One Network talk show host and 2003 Radio Hall of Fame inductee Jim Bohannon will return as the program's announcer.
"We're very encouraged by several new major naming opportunities and donations to our capital campaign to create Chicago's first museum of the 21st Century," said DuMont, who said construction is expected to begin in the spring. "These commitments will bring our total funds raised to more than $9 million, over 50 percent of our $18 million goal."
The Museum of Broadcast Communications capital campaign will fund the conversion of its building at State and Kinzie Streets to a new 70,000 square foot museum. Inside will be the National Radio Hall of Fame, working radio and television studios, and other interactive exhibits and entertainment space showcasing broadcasting's leading personalities. The new museum will examine the role of electronic media in American culture. The new MBC is scheduled to re-open in spring 2006.
The 2004 Radio Hall of Fame inductees are:
 |
Bob Edwards — Network or Syndicated, Active:
During 25 years as the anchor of National Public Radio's Morning Edition, Edwards has conducted nearly 20,000 interviews with statesmen, celebrities, and sports legends. Prior to becoming host of Morning Edition, this Louisville native was co-host of NPR's All Things Considered. Edwards joined XM Satellite Radio in October to launch The Bob Edwards Show. |
 |
Larry Lujack — Local or Regional, Pioneer:
This edgy rock jock shook up WLS/Chicago and rival WCFL/Chicago during much of his 30-year career. Lujack is best known for his sarcastic wit including the humorous "Animal Stories." In 2003, he came out of retirement and returned to Chicago's WRLL where he broadcasts an early morning talk show five days a week. |
 |
Dick Purtan — Local or Regional, Active:
The morning voice on Oldies 104.3 WOMC/Detroit, Purtan is a broadcaster known for his on-air commitment to professionalism and his off-air commitment to his community. He has been a mainstay of Motor City radio for 38 years. |
 |
L. Lowry Mays — Executive:
Chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Clear Channel Worldwide, Lowry formed Clear Channel Communications in 1972. Lowry transformed what appeared to be simply a radio business into an advertising company that continues to serve local communities and advertising customers. Clear Channel currently owns more than 1200 radio stations, 36 television stations, 776,000 outdoor advertising displays and is the leading live entertainment company. |
 |
Walter Winchell — Network or Syndicated, Pioneer:
One of radio's most influential commentators in the 1930s and 1940s, Winchell pioneered modern celebrity journalism first with CBS and later on ABC. His hard-hitting commentaries, delivered in rapid-fire staccato fashion, resulted in one of the highest rated programs in radio history. |
— Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
