iHeartMedia Classic Rock “Q104.3” WAXQ New York has announced it has signed morning host Jim Kerr to a five year contract extension.
Kerr, who has already spent more time on-air in mornings in the market than anyone, will remain in place through 2026. Kerr began his run in mornings in the market at the age of 21 in 1974. Kerr was first paired with longtime co-host Shelli Sonstein in 1977 and would would remain at 95.5 WPLJ until 1989. After stints in mornings at Hot AC “Mix 105” WMXV, Smooth Jazz “CD 101.9” WQCD, Country 103.5 WYNY and the “Y107” quadcast, Kerr joined WAXQ in January 2002 and was reteamed with Sonstein the following year.
Prior to coming to New York, the Michigan native also worked at WDAI-FM and WLS-FM Chicago, WKNR-FM Detroit, and WORJ-FM Orlando starting his radio career at the age of 14.
iHeartMedia New York’s Q104.3, New York’s Classic Rock, announced today a five-year broadcast agreement extension for legendary on-air personality Jim Kerr, beginning today through 2026.
The Radio Hall of Famer began his tenure at Q104.3 in January 2002 and was later joined by Shelli Sonstein in October 2003. Together, the dynamic duo has become a household name within the New York City community, making history together on-air for more than 40 years.
“Getting to work every day with one of the true legends like Jim is a joy and a privilege,” said Eric Wellman, Program Director for Q104.3. “Knowing he will be with Q104.3 entertaining our audience every morning along with Shelli lets me sleep better at night. Here’s to another five years with Jim Kerr!”
Kerr is the longest-running morning radio personality in New York City history. He has been the morning show host on six New York City stations, most notably 18 years at Q104.3 and 15 years at WPLJ-FM, where he became New York’s youngest morning show host at 21 years old. Before that, Kerr served as an on-air personality at WDAI-FM and WLS-FM in Chicago and at WKNR-FM in Detroit, Michigan, after serving as an on-air personality at WORJ-FM in Orlando, Florida. His relationship with radio started on a second-grade field trip to WWJ-FM in Detroit. Kerr began his career at age 14 in Ypsilanti, Michigan and has been on the air ever since.
“When I joined Q104.3, my biggest hope was that it would be the second-best job I ever had,” said Kerr. “As things worked out, it has turned out to be the best.”
Active for decades in civic and charitable affairs, Kerr is a 35-year board member of HeartShare Human Services of New York and a member of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation board. He’s also a Vice President of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
