Anyone who ever DXed on their radio at night almost certainly heard “The Truckin’ Bozo.” Dave Summers went by that name on WLW-AM’s overnight show in Cincinnati for 20 years and became famous in both the U.S. and Canada, since its 50,000-watt clear channel signal reaches 38 states and the Great White North.
 
He became something of a legendary character back when overnight radio was live and he was a favourite of long-haul drivers who could listen to his show over a large part of the country. All of which explains why he’s getting a spot in the Radio Hall of Fame, years after his passing.
 
I had no idea about this, but in his time on the air, The “Bozo” was not only able to advise truckers and others about weather conditions, road shutdowns and other info, he also helped to solve crimes – including the infamous Beltway Sniper case near Washington D.C.
 
“In 2002, truck driver Ron Lantz was listening to The Truckin’ Bozo Show while driving on I-70 in Maryland and heard Sommers give the description of a dark blue 1990 Chevy Caprice with New Jersey license plates wanted in the “Beltway Sniper” shootings in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Lantz, of Northern Kentucky, noticed the car parked in a rest stop and called 911. Police quickly responded and asked Lantz and another trucker to block the exit. Suspects Lee Boyd Malvo and John Allen Muhammad were arrested while sleeping in the car. “
 
Not bad for a Bozo.
 
He's one of 10 new inductees to the Hall and you can see the full list here.