Honoring a late legend of the Boston airwaves

Jess Cain (right, interviewing James Earl Jones in August 1972) was a Boston radio personality for 34 years. (Paul Connell/file)

Listeners who started their days with Jess Cain throughout his 34-year career here in Boston knew the morning man was special. Whether joking about the Red Sox, other local sports teams, politics, or playing a song parody like "Fly Me to Methuen," the weekday drive time host made his mark with topical and always family-friendly humor.

On Nov. 8, the late host, who died in February at 81, will be recognized by his peers when he joins two other posthumous inductees into the National Radio Hall of Fame in Chicago.

"We're thrilled," says his son Michael Cain of the recent announcement. "It's too bad he couldn't be put in prior to his passing."

Although the senior Cain, who was on WHDH-AM (850) (now WEEI) from 1957 until 1991, was one of the first inductees into the new Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame last year, previous attempts to get him the national honor had fallen short. Cain had been nominated twice, in the two final years of his life. Unfortunately, because he was already retired, he was competing in the "pioneer" category and lost in subsequent years to legendary radio talents Jean Shepherd and Jimmy Durante.

This year, according to Bruce DuMont, chairman of the National Radio Hall of Fame, policy shifted a bit. The steering committee, said DuMont via e-mail, "felt that it was not fair or proper to continue to pit deceased but deserving radio personalities against those still living."

Along with Cain, the hall will posthumously honor Bob Collins of Chicago and Dick Whittinghill of Los Angeles "because each dominated their home markets for many years and also demonstrated a unique ability to connect with their radio audience," according to DuMont. A current Boston radio personality, WRKO-AM (680) afternoon host Howie Carr, is also up for recognition as a nominee in the local/regional "active" (not retired) category. Voting will take place through July, and an hourlong broadcast of the ceremony is planned.

What set Cain apart, notes his son, was his ability to get laughs across the generations. "He proved you could be funny, you could be topical without having to stoop," says the younger Cain. "Parents could leave the radio on."

The former Hingham resident is also being honored with a scholarship established in his name at Emerson College. This scholarship will help a student studying radio, television, or theater, Cain's other great love. Cain never graduated from college, in part because he won a role in the play "Stalag 17" that took him to Broadway. Emerson, however, did give the broadcaster an honorary degree in 1996. "It was quite an honor for him," says his son, "because he never got to walk down to get his diploma."

Noting the length of Cain's career, his son says, "He wasn't always No. 1 in the ratings, but people 18 to 60 listened to Jess Cain if they wanted to laugh in the morning."

(To thank contributors for any gifts made this year, a commemorative CD of Cain's radio bits and song parodies will be sent to donors. Contributions should be marked "Jess Cain scholarship" and may be sent to Emerson College, attention Bob Ashton, 120 Boylston St., Boston MA 02116.)

Spinning the dial

"Exceptional Women," the WMJX-FM (106.7) Sunday 7:30-8 a.m. public-affairs show, celebrates 15 years this spring. The program's 11th annual awards luncheon will take place May 16 at the Westin Copley. Honorees include singer Michelle Phillips and state Attorney General Martha Coakley. For more information or to purchase tickets, $125 each, go to magic1067.com or call 617-822-6534.