Welp (insert knee slap here) after a 25+ year radio career, the time has come for me to hang up the headphones and turn off the on-air light. I have often said to others, “The magic happens outside your comfort zone!” and it is time for me to lead by example and get outside my comfort zone. I have accepted a position locally outside of radio that will allow growth professionally and personally. I will share more details in the future. My last day on-air will be Friday, April 7th.
Trying to summarize my career in a status update, or even a blog seems impossible. This crazy ride began in 1996 when a good friend Tony suggested I attend broadcasting school. At the time, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I knew I loved music, and have no musical talent, perhaps being on the radio would be a good fit. Thankfully, it worked out, and here I am a quarter of a century later. Everybody I have worked with or encountered in my career has impacted my life in some way, shape, or form. I can still remember my first concert in Peoria, and then there’s the first event I hosted that was a colossal disaster seems like it all happened yesterday. My memories are endless from the bus trips, BBQs, concerts, football watch parties, live broadcasts, and motorcycle giveaways. It’s still shocking when someone informs me they grew up listening to me it just doesn’t feel like that is possible. It all started in the spring/summer of 2000 with bed checks on the party, to rocking out at SOP’S, five o’clock freak out, the ticket window, rockin’ paws, girl talk, the rockstar of the day, and so much more.
This career has allowed me to raise millions of dollars for St. Jude, and through that, I met the Kuehn family. Your love and support through the years have meant so much to me. Each year I am touched by your support, strength, and kindness. I have also been able to help countless animals find their forever homes and bring awareness to pet adoption, spaying/neutering, and microchipping. I want to shout out to the rescues I have worked with the most, TRAIN (Team Rescuing Animals In Need) where I am a foster home volunteer, SAMS, TAPS, and PCAPS. Please consider volunteering, donating, and adopting.
I want to thank the listeners. My lengthy career wouldn’t have been possible without you. Your enthusiasm and excitement for new music, contests, concerts, bike nights, and winning something as small as a 105.7 t-shirt have always brought me so much joy. Your love, prayers, and support through my hardships have meant so much to me. Then, there are the listeners who have become friends, the ones whom I loved dearly who are no longer here on earth, and the ones whose faces I don’t know but whose names and voices I do. You are the hardest goodbye.
There have been so many people to thank along the way, I know I will forget some names but be aware if we worked together, you had an impact on my life and career. I want to shout out a few. Matt Bahan, Joe Cook, my hot chocolate Marris, Red Hot, Wes Jordan, Jill Baker, Dawn Bahan, Butch, Mary Utley, Melanie Parker, Dana & Chris Shafer, Rick Stephenson-RIP, Don Black, Roxy Baker, Doc Watson, Chris Bullock, Roger Hill, Tim Ylinen, Ryan Black, Lindsay & Bob Swinehart, Jenn Smith, Chris Koller, Brad Stegall, Brad Creek, Sarah Varnes, Charity Shultz, Q, Stephanie Blue, Kev The Flyin Hawaiian, Amanda King, Meatsauce, Todd Bryant, Mike Stechman, Rose Bortolussi, Jennifer Davidson-RIP, Shelly Knight, Evan Ford, Erin McNamara, Kristen Krupps, Bela McKnight, all of our sexy xies but special shout outs to Jovon, Ashely, Ashlei, Cody, Megan and Rachel, Bry Shultz, Robb Rose, and countless others because I know I am forgetting some. Thank you for your friendship and influence.
I also want to thank my parents for your support from day one when I came to you with this absurd idea of being on the radio as a career I was met with nothing but support, encouragement, and love. Even now with this new adventure, you continue to be my biggest cheerleaders. I am so blessed that God chose you as my mom and dad.
Thank you central Illinois, this is not goodbye, just see ya later.
“We can’t be afraid of change. You may feel very secure in the pond that you are in, but if you never venture out of it, you will never know that there is such a thing as an ocean, a sea.” -C.Joybell C.
Anna Kinkade
