Last week, the industry gathered to salute the best of the best as the Radio Hall of Fame welcomed the inductees for 2026. Boomer Esiason, Dennis Green, Shotgun Tom Kelly, Helen Little, Bob Pittman, Rickey Smiley, Charlie Van Dyke, and Fred Winston.
They were joined by legends inducted posthumously: Vivian Carter, Dale Dorman, Gary Krantz, Wink Martindale, B. Mitchell Reed, Pierre Robert, Polito Vega, and D.E. “Duke” Wright.
It’s important to acknowledge those who have been an integral part of the business. From what it was to what it is. The business has been in continual evolution and change since its’ inception. The perception of where the business is now is directly linked to where we as individuals are now in regard to our careers. It’s hard not to feel elation and happiness if where one is professionally is positive and success is in abundance. Likewise, it’s easy to feel disappointment and frustration when dreams are dashed, success is elusive, or careers are derailed beyond one’s control.
There were college students and interns in attendance whose excitement was highly visible. Introducing themselves, asked for stories about the business, and requested contact information. They are at the beginning of their careers. The enthusiasm from youth is intoxicating and exciting. The perceptions shared as I spoke to them were clearer than what I remember mine being as a young personality who wanted to speak on the radio.
Those that I met seemed very aware of radio’s role, how it works with other platforms, and it was even shared how they look at the mass media of radio as a driver for everything they’re creating. Their perspective is one we should be conscious of and look for when hiring. One that we should pay attention to and give credibility to, but not to the exclusion of experience. New perspectives combined with experience can and should bring new ideas to life. There’s every reason to believe that evolution and new creation will be an important part of radio’s future. For them, (borrowing lyrics from Carly Simon), “these are the good old days.”
Last Thursday night was about history, though. The ceremony, which was assembled by Co-Chairs Kraig Kitchin and Dennis Green, celebrated those that many of us were influenced by in our careers. Fred Winston impacted mine. I listened to him as a high schooler when he was on KQV in Pittsburgh and in later years while on WLS/Chicago. Same for Charlie Van Dyke when he was on CKLW/Windsor-Detroit. Listening to these talent was educational to me as much as inspirational.
Shotgun Tom Kelly teared up during his acceptance speech. He acknowledged fans, friends, and those who influenced his career. He made a point of lauding Wink Martindale. Tom’s career is one we know of from radio, but he’s done so much more in media than what’s seen. There’s the children’s show on TV, the voiceover work he’s done for decades, and as an author of a bestselling autobiography. The love for this business is what’s behind the emotion that we often see from those whose lives have been invested in it. The full range of emotion.
Gratitude is another such emotion. Bob Pittman, whose title isn’t required when mentioning his name, in his acceptance speech spoke of the improbable career jump. That’s a pivotal moment in a career that opens new possibilities even if it wasn’t planned or expected. In his case, it was longtime media executive Charlie Warner who made Pittman a Program Director at WMAQ/Chicago when he was only 20 years old. Those words, and the sharing of his story, bring to light how we’ve all stood on the shoulders of those who came before us, and how our shoulders can provide elevation for those who will follow us.
It’s easy to forget that without others we wouldn’t be where we are, regardless of aspirations and reality.
Congratulations to the 2026 Radio Hall of Fame inductees.
