iHeartMedia AC “K103” KKCW Portland morning hosts John Erickson and Bruce Murdock will retire following their show on December 20.
Murdock joined KKCW in 2004 after previously working at KREM Spokane, KGW Portland and KING/KIXI/KLSY Seattle. Erickson has served as newscaster at KKCW since 1985 and previously worked with Murdock at KGW in the 1970s and KING Seattle in the early 80s.
HeartMedia Portland’s K103, Portland’s Christmas station, announced today that veteran on-air personalities John Erickson and Bruce Murdock are retiring as on-air hosts of the “K103 Morning Show,” effective December 20. To celebrate their last day on the Portland radio airwaves, K103 will air a special live Christmas themed broadcast from the iHeartRadio Theater in Portland on December 20 at 6-10am. The event will feature a live studio audience and an array of special guests such as local favorites, Michael Allen Harrison & Julianne Johnson, the Pacific Bell Ringers, The Beat Goes On Marching Band, local high school choirs and a special appearance from Santa Claus.
Both Murdock and Erickson are radio legends, becoming household names in the Portland community. Murdock has hosted the “K103 Morning Show” since 2004 and Erickson has been delivering news and information to Portland radio listeners on K103 since 1985. K103 is the third station where Murdock and Erickson have partnered together on a morning show and collectively have an extensive track record of rating success and delivering the latest news and headlines to listeners. In addition, both hosts have connected with the Portland community through charitable organizations such as Make-A-Wish Oregon, Susan G. Komen Oregon & Southwest Washington, Schoolhouse Supplies and the Rose Festival Foundation. Throughout their time together on-air, the dynamic duo has also served as on-air hosts on several other stations in the region, including 62KGW in Portland, Oregon in the 1970s and KING in Seattle, Washington, in the 1980s.
“Rarely does someone get to do what they love to do every day for an entire 45-year career,” said Murdock. “We’ve laughed and cried as one and that’s what’s most special to me – a meaningful connection between me and the hometown I love. I am so blessed and so grateful to have been a part of Portland’s legendary K103 with John and Janine, but now it’s time to pivot and focus on my family. I want to thank iHeartMedia and our listeners for everything.”
“My dream was to spend my career doing mornings on a top-tier station and raise my family in the community that I love,” said Erickson. “I am beyond grateful to everyone who has made that possible, including managers and colleagues, but most of all, the listeners. Everyone at iHeartMedia has been wonderful.”
“When I think of Bruce and John, I think of them as Portland’s conscience,” said Robert Dove, Region President for iHeartMedia Pacific Northwest Region. “Over the years, they have played a major role in numerous Portland community events, lending support to charitable organizations large and small and have always looked for opportunities to support Portland’s civic values and bring out the best in this beautiful city of ours. I know I speak for a lot of Portlanders when I say mornings won’t be the same and they truly will be missed.”
Listeners and fans who wish to attend the final broadcast on December 20 can sign up to be on the guest list on the K103 website.
