Tragic news coming in this evening that longtime “106.1 Kiss-FM” KHKS Dallas and nationally syndicated morning host David “Kidd” Kraddick passed away this evening at the age of 53.

Kraddick was in New Orleans hosting a charity gold tournament for his Kidd’s Kids charity.

The following statement was posted on KHKS’s website:

It is with a very heavy heart, that I am sending you this e-mail. It has been confirmed that Kidd Kraddick passed away today in New Orleans at a golf tournament organized to raise money for his beloved Kidd’s Kids charity. He died doing what he loved, and his final day was spent selflessly focused on those special children that meant the world to him.

All of us at KISS-FM, ClearChannel Dallas, YEA Networks and the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning crew are heartbroken over the loss of our dear friend and leader. Kidd devoted his life to making people smile every morning, and for 21 years, his foundation has been dedicated to bringing joy to thousands of chronically and terminally ill children.

We ask that you respect the privacy of his family and his colleagues. At the appropriate time, we will release more information about the cause of death.

Thank you.

The following aircheck is of KHKS’ afternoon host Billy The Kidd announcing the passing of Kraddick on-air.

Kraddick has been in Dallas since 1984, first at 97.1 KEGL and since 1992 at KHKS when that station flipped to CHR. His program has been syndicated nationally since 2001. In addition to hosting his own show, Kraddick was a partner in Yea Networks, which distributed other programs including The Bert Show.

More details as they become available.