By Mark Roberts

PITTSBURGH (November 20, 2008) Yesterday afternoon, Pittsburgh's radio and advertising elite came together for the 13th Annual March of Dimes Achievement in Radio awards.

	Nellie King Photo ©2008 Archie Carpenter Click photo for larger image.

	Monte and Zeke - Y108 Photo ©2008 Archie Carpenter Click photo for larger image.

This year the ceremony returned to the Greentree Radisson - the Riverwatch having floated into history. Hosting again was the always reliable Ken Rice from KDKA-TV, who is - according to one of the award recipients - "prettier in person" than he is on TV. CBS Radio's Michael Young ably opened the event, and KDKA's Barbara Boylen visted in the form of Sarah Palin. The extravaganza was again written and produced by Mark Roberts and ably assisted by the youngster, Larry Richert.

Pittsburgh AFTRA members again led the pack, coming away with the bulk of the talent-related awards presented.

The 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award went to the late Pirates broadcaster, Bob Prince. Nellie King presented the award to Bob Prince, III. With this announcement, Prince joins these radio legends:

          2007 Tony Renda, Sr.
          2006 Mike Lange
          2005 Bob Kopler
          2004 Jack Bogut
          2003 Bob Roof
          2002 Bill Hillgrove
          2001 John Garry and Larry O'Brien
          2000 Wendy King
          1999 Bill Steinbach
          1998 Robert Dickey
          1997 Myron Cope
          1996 Porky Chedwick

The March of Dimes hosts the annual competition to raise funds for the prevention of birth defects. Since its inception, the Pittsburgh A.I.R. awards has raised over $320,000 dollars to support March of Dimes breakthroughs.

Click HERE for the complete list of this year's winners and the winning audio from the official AIR Awards website, airawardspgh.org.