LIMBAUGH IN HALL OF FAME

Radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh will be inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters' Broadcasting Hall of Fame in April.

The Cape Girardeau native will be honored at a luncheon in Las Vegas April 7 as part of the National Association of Broadcasters 1998 convention.

More than 60 television and radio personalities and programs have been recognized by the Hall of Fame. The Broadcasting Hall of Fame recognizes radio and television personalities or programs that have earned a place in broadcasting history.

"He is obviously an important figure in the history of the radio business," said Dennis Wharton, a spokesman for the association in Washington.

"He has a huge, loyal following. Frankly, he had earned a lot of stations a lot of money," Wharton said.

Mary Miller, director the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau, said her office is helping to provide the NAB with information about Limbaugh and his hometown for the awards presentation.

Miller said Limbaugh's induction into the Hall of Fame "certainly sheds a bright light on Cape Girardeau."

In 1988, Limbaugh began hosting his nationally syndicated, conservative talk show for 56 radio stations. Today, "The Rush Limbaugh Show" is the highest-rated, national, radio talk show in the nation, according to one trade magazine.

It is carried by more than 600 radio stations and is listened to by 20 million people weekly. Limbaugh also hosts "The Rush Limbaugh Morning Update," a 90-second daily commentary.

Limbaugh has twice received the NAB Marconi Radio Award as the Syndicated Radio Personality of the Year.

The broadcasters' convention is expected to attract about 100,000 people, including exhibitors.

Wharton said NAB hosts the largest trade show for broadcasting, multimedia, the Internet, audio and video communications, and telecommunications combined.

The National Association of Broadcasters represents commercial radio and television stations and the nation's major broadcast networks.

PAST WINNERS

Among previous inductees into the National Association of Broadcasters' Broadcasting Hall of Fame are Jack Benny, George Burns, Gene Autry, Bob Hope, Milton Berle, Lucille Ball, Jerry Lewis, Larry King and Harry Caray.