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THE REST OF THE STORY ON PAUL HARVEY: HIS SON

`Hello, Americans. This is Paul Harvey. Stand by for news!”

About 20 million American radio listeners each day hear that opening to legendary broadcaster Paul Harvey’s Chicago-originated news and commentaries. A member of the Radio Hall of Fame and one of the most successful radio broadcasters of all time, Harvey is heard on more than 1,300 radio stations daily. “Paul Harvey News and Comment” can be heard on WGN-AM 720 at 8:30 and 11:55 a.m. weekdays and at noon Saturdays.

What you might not know is that one of the most integral parts of the Paul Harvey team is his son, Paul Harvey Jr. Since 1976, the younger Harvey has been the sole writer of his father’s daily feature “The Rest of the Story,” heard at 3:30 p.m. weekdays on WGN.

Consisting of short historical stories with surprise endings, the feature has proven so successful that Harvey Jr. has published three books of excerpts from “The Rest of the Story” and is working on a fourth. The series also is available on audio and videocassette.

“The program deals in two areas that are fascinating to people: history and mystery,” said Harvey Jr., 45. “Everyone loves a good mystery story, and in a sense this is fact told as a mystery story. Of course, having Paul Harvey-perhaps the best storyteller we have-telling these stories has an awful lot to do with its success.”

Harvey Jr.’s latest project is “American Family Album 1993,” a one-hour special that will air at 3 p.m. New Year’s Day on WGN. The special will be broadcast on 1,800 radio stations worldwide.

“It’s an hour around the fireplace with those whom we visit daily on the radio,” said the younger Harvey, who created, produced and will host the special that features excerpts from his father’s daily broadcasts. “But instead of doing the conventional wrapup of the year’s top events and newsmakers, we’ll talk about one another for a change. We’re discussing people whose names you might not recognize, but who represent the best of who we are-our sense of humor, community and willingness to help our neighbors.”

Harvey Jr. gave up a career as a concert pianist and composer to join the family business (his mother, Angel, produces “Paul Harvey News and Comment”). But though he occasionally fills in on his father’s newscasts, Harvey says he has no plans to replace his 75-year-old dad.

“If I were to take over his programs and schedule, the best I could be is a faint imitation of an inimitable personality,” he said. “The broadcasting industry has hoped to find another Paul Harvey for years, but there never will be another Paul Harvey. And I hope that for many more years to come, there won’t be a need to find another Paul Harvey. I really have no plans to try and become something that I’m not, but I do hope to continue serving our very loyal listeners and hope I can find ways to continue that relationship with them.”

– For the ninth year, WXRT-FM and the St. Elizabeth’s Hospital CareUnit, along with WSCR-AM, are providing cab rides for holiday-season revelers who have had a few drinks too many to drive responsibly. Billed as the “Holiday Home Run,” the program will provide free rides home between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. through Jan. 2. Rides must originate in Cook County and are limited to 20 miles. Call 312-278-5015.