Radio talk show trio headlines events center

Three of the nation's biggest radio talk show hosts will be featured at a town hall event in Sun City West next week to discuss politics, the 2008 election and other current events.

Sponsored by radio station KKNT 960 and the Daily News-Sun, nationally syndicated talk radio hosts Hugh Hewitt, Michael Medved and Dennis Prager will visit the Maricopa County Events Center for the forum at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Arizona State Treasurer Dean Martin will serve as moderator.

Tickets are still available for the informal discussion, which organizers expect may draw as many as 1,200 people.

"It won't be a debate or argumentative," said Jim Seemiller, general sales manager for KKNT. "It will just be a fun event. Informative and entertaining."

Audience members will be given a questionnaire as they arrive. Their questions will dictate the agenda for the evening.

"It will all be driven by folks in the audience," Seemiller said.

The trio's talk shows are broadcast to approximately 600 radio stations around the country, reaching up to 8 million listeners each week. Locally, the trio can be heard weekdays on KKNT 960 AM.

"(Hewitt, Medved and Prager) are three of the most well-known talk show hosts in the country," Seemiller said. "They really have an understanding about what people out there are thinking about."

Seemiller said Martin was chosen as moderator because of his understanding of current events.

"This is the biggest event we have ever had," he said.

Seemiller said the timing is right for such an event.

"It's a political year and maybe the country has more interest in what is going on. We thought we'd bring them all together," he said.

All three hosts will participate in a book-signing session and meet-and-greet prior to the discussion. The group, along with Martin, will be at the events center lobby at 5 p.m.

Ticket prices range from $22.50 to $59.50 for a dinner package.

Seemiller said the dinner package includes front-section seating and catering prior to the event from Famous Dave's barbecue restaurant.

"We're making that a dinner opportunity. People in the first eight rows of seating will be able to have dinner. Table and chairs will be set up," he said.

Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com or by calling 480-784-4444.

The Maricopa County Events Center is at 19403 R.H. Johnson Blvd. in Sun City West.