Cumulus Media Country 92.3 KRST Albuquerque is mourning the loss of afternoon host Juan Velasco at the age of 60.
Born in Alamogordo, where he started his career at KKEE and later working at KOBE Las Cruces before making his way to Albuquerque, Velasco had been with KRST for thirty years, most of which was spent anchoring middays before moving to afternoons in 2017. Velasco was also briefly the weekend meteorologist for KOAT-TV and had a prolific event DJ and hosting business across the state.
Cumulus Media Albuquerque VP/Market Manager Jeff Berry said, “Today we mourn the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Juan Velasco, Afternoon On-Air Host, 92.3 KRST Country and a much-loved Albuquerque radio personality for 42 years, who passed away on Saturday, July 27th, at the age of 60. Juan, a native of Alamogordo, NM, where he started his radio career and later worked at a Las Cruces radio station, went on to work at KRST-FM for 30 years, most of which were spent anchoring Middays before moving to Afternoons in 2017. He was also briefly the weekend meteorologist for KOAT-TV and had a prolific event DJ and hosting business across the Land of Enchantment. Juan is survived by two sons, Juan III and Gabriel. He will be greatly missed by all of us in the halls of these Cumulus Media Albuquerque radio stations. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and his many friends.”
Velasco is survived by his two sons.
Slade Carlson
Juan was a mentor when arriving in ABQ in 1994 to work at sister station station KOLT106. Juan and many of us survived years of station ownership changes and he remained steadfast as a KRST personality. It was an honor to work with him for 11 years. ‘No’ wasn’t in his vocabulary to work any station event, live broadcast, or the annual 2 1/2 weeks at the state fair. Then staying late to run the street dance outside Tingley. What a huge loss to community, and his boys. An icon, a community asset. Anyone that knew him well was blessed to have him as a friend. Rest in peace old friend. See you on the airwaves.