Dobson garners hall of fame honor

James Dobson's nationally syndicated radio show "Focus on the Family" has become the first faith-based radio program to be inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame.

The category honors radio personalities who are still in the business after at least 20 years. Dobson's radio program began in the 1970s and is heard on more than 4,000 stations worldwide. On the show, Dobson - founder and chairman of Focus - discusses issues involving marriage and parenting, with occasional asides on religion.

"To have ‘Focus on the Family' inducted shows that Dr. Dobson's message remains relevant to families and culture," said Jim Daly, president and CEO of Focus. "People are still interested in what Dr. Dobson has to say."

In announcing the induction to Focus staff members on Friday, Dobson said the honor was not his alone.

"It has been a symphony performed by more than 10,000 people over the past 32 years," Dobson said. "I am indebted to them all."

Annual nominations to the National Radio Hall of Fame are determined by 157 members of the hall in four categories. The public votes online for their favorite nominees from May until July 15.

Besides "Focus on the Family," the hall inducted radio personalities Art Bell, Howie Carr, Charlie Tuna, and Michael "Mickey" Luckoffi, head of San Francisco radio station KGOAM. Posthumous inductees included disc jockey Dick Whittinghill, and talk show hosts Jesse Cain and Bob Collins.

Dobson plans to attend the Hall of Fame's formal induction ceremony Nov. 8 in Chicago. For more information, go to www.radiohof.org.

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