Kelly Urich is retiring as morning host at Cumulus Media Classic Hits 94.9 KCMO-FM Shawnee KS/Kansas City later this year.
Urich announced on-air today his intent to retire, but no timeline has been established. KCMO-FM Program Director Jim Fox has begun a search to find a successor to join co-host MacKenzie Justice.
No specific timeline has been established, but with shoes like Kelly’s to fill, we wanted to start our search early. Until a replacement is named, Kelly and Mackenzie will continue to wake up Kansas City on 94.9 KCMO. Throughout 2023, expect a celebration of his incredible career with more experiences, more trips, more prizes and more tickets to more concerts.”
Outside of a brief stint at “Y95” KOY-FM Phoenix in 1992, Urich has spent his entire career in Kansas City with stops at 106.5 KXXR and 104.3 KBEQ predating a 13 year run in afternoons at CHR “Mix 93.3” KMXV from 1995-2008 and then in afternoons and then mornings at 99.7 under three different brands CHR “Kiss-FM“, 90s Hits “Gen X Radio“, and Hot AC “99.7 The Point” KZPT from 2009-2016. He joined KCMO-FM in December 2017 as just the second morning host since the station segued from CHR to Oldies (now Classic Hits) in 1989 following Dick Wilson’s 31 year run in mornings.
Cumulus Media (NASDAQ: CMLS) announces that after 33 years on the radio in Kansas City, Classic Hits’ 94.9 KCMO-FM morning show host Kelly Urich will hang up his headphones later this year. Urich announced his retirement on-air today.
Donna Baker, Regional Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Kansas City, said: “Whether riding to raise funds for 25 years for Bike MS or broadcasting all day to benefit KU Pediatrics Children’s Miracle Network, Kelly is always first to raise his hand and help the KC community. His leadership earned the inaugural ‘Above and Beyond Award’ from the media and advertising community’s KC Media Mix. Kelly’s peers selected him Radio Personality of the Year and 94.9 KCMO Radio Station of the Year in 2022. Listeners and clients alike appreciate Kelly’s effervescent and engaging personality, and he has definitely made his mark on Kansas City broadcasting. We wish him all the best in his retirement, and we’re excited about what the future holds.”
Jim Fox, Operations Manager, Cumulus Kansas City, remarked: “We’re extremely happy for Kelly and his family. His generosity both on and off the air will be missed. No specific timeline has been established, but with shoes like Kelly’s to fill, we wanted to start our search early. Until a replacement is named, Kelly and Mackenzie will continue to wake up Kansas City on 94.9 KCMO. Throughout 2023, expect a celebration of his incredible career with more experiences, more trips, more prizes and more tickets to more concerts.”
Kelly Urich commented: “The people of Kansas City have invited me into their cars and homes for so many years. I would like to personally thank them for letting me be a part of their lives. It’s the greatest honor, really. The 94.9 KCMO audience and staff have been the pinnacle of my radio career. My family is moving to be closer to my wife’s incredible new opportunity. I want to say a sincere thank you for supporting me and my family.”
A nationwide search is underway to replace Urich and join Mackenzie on-air on 94.9 KCMO. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply at: https://cumulusmedia.jobs.net/jobs?keywords=&location=kansas+city.
