CRB announces Country Music DJ Hall of Fame 2003 inductees

Country Radio Broadcasters announced the names of four new members to be inducted into the Country Music DJ Hall of Fame for 2003: Bob Cole, Duke Hamilton, Dick Haynes (posthumous) and W. Steven Martin. As part of the Hall of Fame celebration Dan McKinnon will be recognized for his achievements with this award as well. The 6th Annual Country Music DJ Hall of Fame awards ceremony will be held 6/26 in Nashville. Tickets go on sale 3/1 (seating is limited) and may be purchased via the CRB web site @ www.crb.org, or 615-327-4487.

Each inductee must have served at least 25 years in country radio, contributed to country radio¹s growth and development and to the preservation and enhancement of country music.

Some background on the honorees:

Bob Cole

At the age of 14, Bob got his start in Country Radio on WWOK. He moved across town shortly thereafter to WIOD where he garnered national fame for combining his talk show with Country Music as part of his overnight show.

Bob moved on to act as show programmer and host for Country radio stations KIKK-AM/FM (Houston), KOKE-AM/FM (Austin), WPKX (Washington, DC), and WMZQ, (Washington, DC). In 1990, he returned to Austin to work as morning co-host on KVET-FM where he currently resides. His show (with Sammy Allred) is perennially number one in the market where nearly one hundred organizations have benefited from Bob's participation and contribution to the community.

Duke Hamilton

Duke began his radio career at KPCR in Bowling Green, KY. He quickly made the move to a warmer climate to work in the Panama Canal Zone on AFRTS radio. After brief stints at KKSS-FM (St. Louis) and KXLR (Little Rock), he joined WUBE-FM (Cincinnati) in 1977 as air personality and music director where he remains today as afternoon drive host. Duke has a special affection for the legends of Country Music whom he plays each Sunday morning as part of B-105¹s Classic Country Show. During his long tenure in the market, Duke has distinguished himself with service to many deserving causes in his community.

Dick Haynes

In 1941, Dick began his radio career in his hometown of Beaumont, Texas. He also worked in Louisiana before joining KTSA (San Antonio) where he was host of a live music show featuring western swing legend Adolph Hoffman. From 1946 through 1980, Dick worked at various Country stations on the West Coast where he was credited with ushering in the "Town and Country" era. He remained with KLAC (Los Angeles) until 1962 after which he worked for four years at KRAK (Sacramento). He changed directions and spent six years at KFOX (Long Beach) before returning to KLAC where he remained until failing health took him off the air in 1980. Dick passed away on November 24, 1980. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and as a renowned radio entertainer, he is fondly remembered by his listeners for his many imaginary "sidekicks," Gumdrop Gus, Wilhelmina Meadow, Sir Chester Drawers and L.A. Smog.

W. Steven Martin

"W" began his Country radio career as morning drive host at KRDS, Tolleson, Arizona. He continued as a morning host at KNIX/KTUF (Phoenix) and then moved to KBER (San Antonio). In 1977, he returned to KNIX to enjoy a twenty-three year tenure as morning drive host. In addition to his remarkable radio career, W. Steven Martin is best known for his many humanitarian achievements including the Christmas toy drive that he originated in 1978.

Dan McKinnon

At the age of 28, CRB Radio Hall of Fame Inductee Dan McKinnon became the youngest major market radio station owner when he purchased KSON (San Diego) in 1962. By changing the station¹s format to a consistent preprogrammed modern Country Music mix, he rescued the station from bankruptcy. Within a short two years, KSON-FM was established as one of the first FM Country stations, serving as an inspiration to other station owners. Dan's efforts resulted in attracting prestigious advertisers including American Airlines, The Wall Street Journal and Equitable Life to the Country Radio format. Dan was an early participant in The Country Radio Seminar. In 1977, he became the first broadcaster elected President of the CMA since its founder. Dan was the first to set up a network radio broadcast as part of the CMA Awards. In 1985, he sold his radio stations but remains an active broadcaster as owner of various television stations. He has also worked for the Civil Aeronautics Board, NASA, and the CIA. Dan maintains his ties with the Country Music Industry through his House of Hits publishing company and as President/CEO of North American Airlines, which has twice flown Garth Brooks to Ireland for concerts.