Regis Philbin to Emcee National Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Regis Philbin to Emcee National Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

CHICAGO, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Emmy-award winning television personality Regis Philbin will host the National Radio Hall of Fame's 2005 induction ceremony in Chicago on Saturday, November 5, Bruce DuMont, president of the Chicago-based National Radio Hall of Fame announced today.

Philbin, host of the nationally syndicated daytime talk show Live with Regis and Kelly and former host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire on ABC-Television, will serve as master of ceremonies for the nationally broadcast event that will induct six veteran radio personalities into America's only Radio Hall of fame.

"Regis gave us his final answer and it was 'yes,'" said DuMont, who also is founder and president of The Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago. "Regis is a world-class talent and we're thrilled that he has agreed to host radio's biggest night of the year."

Philbin began his broadcasting career as an NBC page on the Tonight Show in New York. He was a radio news reporter and talk show host in San Diego and Los Angeles before gaining national exposure in 1967 as sidekick announcer on The Joey Bishop Show.

The National Radio Hall of Fame class of 2005 inductees are: the legendary comedy team of Abbott & Costello; Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman; ABC News White House correspondent Ann Compton; retired Pittsburgh Steelers color commentator Myron Cope; and the late Jean Shepherd, radio humorist and author of the classic holiday film, "A Christmas Story."

Inductees were selected through a national balloting process that included participation by radio executives, broadcast historians and members of the National Radio Hall of Fame. Ballots were tabulated and certified by the firm of Altschuler, Melvoin and Glasser LLP/American Express Tax and Business Services. Travel and promotional support is being provided by American Airlines and the Renaissance Chicago Hotel.

Westwood One will produce and distribute the one-hour radio special. Jim Bohannon, a past Radio Hall of Fame inductee, will be the announcer. The broadcast will be heard on WGN and WLS in Chicago, KOGO/San Diego and other major radio stations from coast-to-coast.

About the National Radio Hall of Fame

The National Radio Hall of Fame recognizes and showcases contemporary talent from today's diverse programming formats as well as the pioneers who shaped the medium during its infancy. For more information, visit http://www.radiohof.org/ .

Tickets to the National Radio Hall of Fame November 5 black-tie induction dinner at the Renaissance Chicago Hotel may be purchased online at http://www.radiohof.org/ or by calling 866-860-1640.

Source: The Museum of Broadcast Communications

CONTACT: Sara Conley or Megan Kortemeyer, PCI, +1-312-558-1770, or Gina Doyle, MBC, +1-312-396-0103

Web site: http://www.radiohof.org/

------- Profile: Ent