Oconee’s “Jimbo” gets new radio accolade

It’s another Hall of Fame for talk show host (and Oconee County resident) Jim Bohannon  who has been selected as the 2022 NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame inductee. The host of the Westwood One-syndicated “The Jim Bohannon Show” will be honored during the Achievement in Broadcasting event at NAB Show, held April 23–27, 2022 in Las Vegas.

Bohannon was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Missouri Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame earlier this year.

“The Jim Bohannon Show” airs from 10pm-1am (ET) Monday through Friday on over 300 radio stations. A 50-year-plus broadcasting veteran, Bohannon spent over 31 years as host of the early morning weekday news magazine, “America in the Morning,” for which he still provides interviews and his feature “The Offbeat.” He previously hosted the weekend news magazine “America This Week.”

“Jim encompasses the spirit of radio. His distinct voice, humor and engaging programs have informed and entertained listeners for 50 years, while addressing historic milestones affecting our nation,” NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith said in a release. “I am grateful for his friendship and the opportunities I have had to be a guest on his show. We congratulate Jim on this befitting honor.”

Bohannon began his radio career in 1960 at KLWT-AM in his hometown of Lebanon, Missouri. Following college and military service during the Vietnam War, he returned to radio in the Washington, DC market, covering news at both WTOP-AM and WWRC-AM. He later worked as a morning anchor at WCFL-FM Chicago and as a freelance reporter for CNN.

Bohannon hosted his own Saturday night phone-in program starting in 1984 and served as the principal back-up for Larry King on the “Larry King Show.” In February of 1993, Bohannon took over the nighttime radio talk show slot formerly held by King. Bohannon joined Westwood One in 1983 and has anchored newscasts, political conventions and election night coverage in addition to his weekday programs.

In addition to his Hall of Fame inclusions, Bohannon is the recipient of a Special Recognition First Amendment Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association.