Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart
Twelve veteran broadcasters were named 2016 inductees to the National Radio Hall of Fame Sunday, including Chicago personalities Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart, and nationally syndicated hosts Steve Harvey and Michael Savage.
All 12 will be inducted November 17 in ceremonies at Chicago’s Museum of Broadcast and Communications, which has been home of the national shrine to radio’s top performers and programs since 1991.
As tipped here earlier Sunday, Ferguson and Hart will be the first active Chicago personalities to enter the Radio Hall of Fame since Steve Dahl and Garry Meier in 2013. “The Eric & Kathy Morning Show” has garnered top ratings throughout most of its 20-year run on Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary WTMX FM 101.9.
“Wow, I'm speechless . . . which I know will leave many shocked,” Ferguson said on learning of the honor. “To be mentioned in the same breath as the great talent who paved the way before us is gratifying and humbling. Our show is a team effort, on the air and off, and we share it together.”
Steve Harvey
“The Steve Harvey Morning Show” airs here on iHeartMedia urban adult-contemporary WVAZ FM 102.7. “Savage Nation with Michael Savage” airs here from 9 p.m. to midnight on Cumulus Media news/talk WLS AM 890.
The other inductees announced Sunday are: Jeff Detrow and Jerry Cesak, the San Diego team of Jeff & Jer; Delilah Rene Luke, the Premiere Networks syndicated host; Bob Kingsley, the Westwood One syndicated country host; George G. Beasley, founder of Beasley Broadcast Group; and Tony Roberts, sportscaster and Notre Dame football announcer. Two posthumous inductees will be personalities Kidd Kraddick and Neil Rogers.
Michael Savage
"This year's class of inductees represents the diversity that makes radio so personal, entertaining and impactful,” Kraig Kitchin, National Radio Hall of Fame chairman, said in a statement. “We all very much appreciate everyone who participated in this process as we welcome the very best in our business into the National Radio Hall of Fame."
Winners in two categories — Savage and Kingsley — were chosen by public voting through text messages. The rest were selected by a panel of 400 industry professionals, including radio executives, programmers, past inductees, executive directors of state broadcast associations, and trade media members.