Help Put Gary Burbank Into The Hall Of Fame

Wake up, Uhmerika, and help get Gary Burbank into the Radio Hall of Fame.

Online voting started today at Chicago's Museum of Broadcasting website
www.radiohof.org for the retired WLW-AM afternoon personality. He's one of four nominees as a "Local or Regional Pioneer."

And he'll need all the help he can get. His competition includes long-time Philadelphia Phillies announcer Harry Kalas, Los Angeles DJ Charlie Tuna and Iowa Hawkeyes announcer Jim Zabel.

Unlike the Baseball Hall of Fame voting, you can only vote once. There are four categories. To me, the most interesting balloting will be in the "National Active" category with "Focus On The Family" founder James Dobson against Howard Stern, Dr. Laura Schlessinger and Bob Costas. The four "National Pioneer" nominees are talk hosts Barry Farber and Art Bell, country music icon Ralph Emery and the old "Gang Busters" radio series. Winners will be honored Nov. 8 in Chicago.

Marty Brennaman was inducted in 2005. Also in the Radio HOF are several other baseball announcers -- Bob Uecker, Milo Hamilton, Ernie Harwell, Jack Brickhouse -- so Burbank has stiff competition.

Voting ends at midnight July 15. Spread the word!