Rick Dees, one of radio’s most identifiable voices, was recognized Friday night, September 7, as “Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year” with the 2001 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Marconi Radio Award.
Noted as one of the most prestigious awards in radio, Rick Dees joins the list of previous winners that includes Rush Limbaugh, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Bob (Kevoian) & Tom (Griswold), Don Imus, and Paul Harvey. Dees’ captivating humor and talent as a broadcaster is delivered weekly to more than 450 radio stations on The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40, along with the highly acclaimed Rick Dees in the Morning Show, now heard in more than 35 markets. He has enjoyed unprecedented ratings success and popularity as a leader in morning radio in Los Angeles, celebrating his 20th anniversary this past July on KIIS-FM.
The 2001 NAB Marconi Awards included nominations for more than 100 radio stations and on-air personalities in 22 different categories. General managers and program directors of member NAB radio stations submit ballots for the awards presented at the NAB radio meetings annually.
Rick Dees offers comedy-based programs with multi-faceted humor and an assortment of characters accenting the latest in contemporary music. From exclusive visits by the biggest celebrities to the hottest scoops, Dees and his broadcast team have set the standard for CHR/Hot AC morning shows. The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40, with two versions produced for CHR and Hot AC stations counting down the hits, reaches millions of listeners every weekend and is distributed in more than 70 countries.
Dees has a diverse media background. His 70’s Disco parody, “Disco Duck” was a runaway hit selling over six million copies. He has also appeared in numerous television shows and motion pictures. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was recently inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame. Dees has also been named Billboard’s #1 Radio Personality in contemporary radio for the past 14 years. In addition he was recognized by the Radio Music Awards in 2000 as the industry’s top personality.
Premiere Radio Networks, Inc., a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications, syndicates more than 100 radio programs and services to more than 7,800 radio affiliations and reaches over 180 million listeners weekly. Premiere is the number one radio network in the country and features the following personalities: Rush Limbaugh, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Jim Rome, Rick Dees, Casey Kasem, Dr. Dean Edell, Bob (Kevoian) & Tom (Griswold), Phil Hendrie, Leeza Gibbons, Michael Reagan, Art Bell, Blair Garner, Carson Daly and others. Premiere is based in Sherman Oaks, Calif., with eleven offices nationwide.
