Industry News

Jim Graci Retires from Cox Media Group Jacksonville

Programming pro Jim Graci announces his retirement from his role as brand manager for Cox Media Group’s news/talk WOKV-FM, Jacksonville. He posts to Facebook, “It was my dream to be on the radio since I was 10 years old.  After 50 years in the most spectacular communications medium there is, it’s time to call itim a career. I am retiring today!!! I have too many people to thank who have helped me, coached me, took me under their wing and guided me. Their tutelage allowed me to work at some of the greatest radio stations in the country. I have tried to ‘pay it forward’ by coaching and programming for the last 20 years, working with incredibly talented communicators, who continue to positively affect our lives whenever you turn the radio on. I want to thank the staff at my final station, WOKV-FM, as they prepare to protect, serve and inform Northeast Florida for another Florida hurricane season. I’d also like to spotlight Jules Riley, Jimmy Farrell, Pete Spriggs, Chris Eagan and Rob Babin at CMG, Cox Media Group, for their incredible leadership and faith in me in Jacksonville. But most of all, thanks to my wife Rebecca, a.k.a. Lindsey, who spent 25 years in the business, and has been my rock for nearly 40 of those 50 years.”

Industry News

Ron Cook Retires from KDKA-FM, Pittsburgh

Patch.com reports that KDKA-FM, Pittsburgh “93.7 FM The Fan” air personality Ron Cook announced his retirement from the station yesterday (2/5). Cook is one of the original hosts who joined the station atim its inception in 2010. Cook told his listeners, “It’s been a blast with you guys.” Cook is also a sportswriter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He’ll leave that position after his last column appears on Sunday. Audacy Pittsburgh SVP and market manager Michael Spacciapolli comments, “From the first day ‘93.7 The Fan’ signed on the air, Ron brought instant credibility to the station with, not only with reputation as one of the top columnists in the market, but also a trusted voice that sports fans wanted to hear from. That is a rare combination, and to this day we are fortunate that Ron was here with us from the beginning.” Read it on Patch here.

Industry News

“Goldy” Retires from WFNC, Fayetteville, North Carolina

Today (12/1) was the last day on Cumulus Media’s news/talk WFNC-AM, Fayetteville, North Carolina for Jeff “Goldy” Goldberg. He closed out his 45-year radio career – the last 18 years of which haveim been spent at WFNC – with a special broadcast of “Good Morning Fayetteville” called, “Goldy’s Last Hurrah.” He tells Bill Kirby Jr. at CityViewNC, “Since I announced my retirement a few weeks ago, the outpouring of love and the good wishes from not only my listeners here in Fayetteville, but my listeners in Washington D.C., has been overwhelming. It has been a privilege and a joy to live out my dream for these last 45 years, and to have a second chapter like the one I’ve had here in Fayetteville exceeded my wildest dreams.”

Industry News

Dave Williams Retires from KLIF, Dallas

In a post on Facebook, KLIF, Dallas morning personality Dave Williams announces his retirement from the “DFW Morning News” program. He writes, “Three months ago I suffered a blackout seizure. I’ve been recuperating and undergoing tests since then. The medical news is as good as can be hoped: Iim didn’t have a stroke or a heart attack and I don’t have a brain tumor or anything like it. Turns out it’s just one of those unexplained things that happen and very likely will never happen again. I’ve been cleared to return to work but have decided to call it a career. I’m 72, I’ve been in radio for 54 years, and for the past 42 years, I’ve been getting out of bed in the middle of the night to go to work. I just discovered I like sleeping in a bit. I will miss the daily enjoyment of the job and especially the people with whom I worked. And, thanks most of all to those of you who listened each morning and found some informational and entertainment value mornings on KLIF. Nothing lasts forever but I’m going to try. Stay well, y’all. Love your life. This is the month for giving thanks.”

Industry News

Danny Lipford to Retire from Radio and TV

Home improvement expert and radio & television pro Danny Lipford announces that after 35 years in the media business he is officially announcing plans for his retirement. Lipford – head of the Today’s Homeownerim media franchise – has hosted and produced more than 1,000 TV shows, 800 radio shows, and traveled all 50 states during the course of his media career. Lipford says he’s shifting the business model of his media company, which will now focus on streaming and licensing the brand’s extensive library of home improvement content. Lipford will continue to host his weekly two-hour “Today’s Homeowner” Radio show, and “Tips for Today’s Homeowner” radio features through the end of 2023, with the final show and features airing the week of December 25.

Industry News

KMOX, St. Louis Personality Carol Daniel to Retire

The Audacy news/talk station announces what it calls “a bittersweet day at KMOX” as longtime station personality Carol Daniel announces her retirement. KMOX says, “Carol has been a fixture of KMOX for 28 years of her 40-year-long broadcast career. She’s told the stories of St. Louisans with care, compassion and curiosity, and her work has been recognized throughout the region — she was named Press Club Media Person of the Year, she received the Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists Living Legend Award and the Media Hall of Fame Award, and she is a nominee for the Lincoln University Alumni Hall of Fame. Outside of her career in radio, Carol is a wife and mother, author, motivational speaker, and ministry co-leader, and looks forward to spending time with family in her retirement. Carol has produced countless impactful, in-depth interviews in her time here, most recently as the host of the expanded ‘Total Information AM.’ Her last day with KMOX is May 25. We will be sad to see her go but are so excited for her as she takes on this new chapter.”

Industry News

Tom Barnard and Hubbard Partner for Streaming Show and Podcast

According to a report from Bring Me The News, former KQRS-FM, Minneapolis morning personality and legendary Twin Cities radio host Tom Barnard is entering into a deal with Hubbard Broadcasting to host a daily morning program streaming on audio and video from 7:00 am to 10:00 am CT and available as a podcast that the company will produce, distribute and sell. Bring Me The News says, “Barnard will be joined by a co-host, producer, and a number of other guests and contributors. Barnard left KQRS on Dec. 23 after 37 years hosting 92 KQ’s Morning Show, which for a period in the ‘90s was the highest rated morning radio show in the entire country. As he prepared to leave the station, Barnard claimed in an interview with the Star Tribune he had been forced out the door at KQ by parent company Cumulus Media, which had described Barnard’s departure as a ‘retirement.’” Barnard’s new show is expected to debut sometime next month. On Monday of this week, KQRS launched its new morning show hosted by radio personality and former Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman.