iHeartMedia Rock “97.1 The Eagle” KEGL Dallas afternoon host Russ Martin was found dead in his home early Saturday morning.
Frisco TX police responded to a call on Saturday at 12:30am after a friend went to check on Martin and found him unresponsive. Martin was found dead on the scene. The Frisco Police state that a cause of death has yet to be determined but no foul play is suspected.
The 60 year old Martin spent his entire radio career in the Dallas area. He began his career in the early 1980s as a board op at 1400 KGVL Greenville and then was a weekender at 107.1 KTLR Terrell. After stints at 1310 KAAM, 92.5 KAFM and Satellite Music Network, Martin first joined KEGL in 1987 during its CHR days. He remained at the station through its shift to Rock as took over mornings in 1997.
Martin joined CBS Radio’s 105.3 KYNG in 2000 as morning host when it flipped to Hot Talk. He would later move to afternoons and remained through rebrandings as “Live 105.3” KLLI and “105.3 Free-FM“. He exited KLLI when it flipped to Sports “105.3 The Fan” KRLD-FM in 2008.
Martin would return to KEGL in 2010 as morning host, before moving to afternoons the following year. The show would be trimmed from 3-7pm to 5-7pm in February 2020 after the addition of former KRLD-FM hosts Ben Rogers and Jeff ‘Skin’ Wade to the station. Martin has had multiple medical leaves of absence in recent years, with co-hosts Dan O’Malley, Clo Raborn, and Alfie Coy leading the show.
It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of 97.1 The Eagle’s Russ Martin. He will be dearly missed & we send our deepest condolences to his family & friends during this difficult time. We’d love to hear your favorite memory of Russ Martin below. #RIPRussMartin pic.twitter.com/cdGBC1XYY9
— 97.1 The Eagle (@theeagledallas) February 27, 2021
