For the second time in a matter of months, Saga Communications Charleston SC is mourning the sudden loss of a morning personality as “Kickin Country 92.5” WCKN morning host TJ Phillips passed away on Sunday at the age of 66.
Phillips had co-hosted mornings at WCKN with Jessica Chandler since November 2016 marking a return to the market after he previously served as Program Director and morning host at iHeartMedia’s 103.5 WEZL over a pair of stints from 1991 to 1998 before returning from 2001 to 2016. During his earlier tenure he also served as Operations Manager for the cluster that at the time included 100.5 WALC, 102.5 WXLY, and 104.5 WRFQ. Phillips also was OM/PD/morning host for Rock WQUT Johnson City TN and General Manager for Roberts Radio in Colorado and New Mexico.
The company notes, “While the word “legend” may be overused today, it does describe TJ Phillips. In addition to being inducted into the Lowcountry Music Hall of Fame for his support of the local music community, Phillips was voted Best Radio Personality by The Charleston City Paper and Mount Pleasant Magazine, Best Local Radio Show, and South Carolina Broadcasters Radio Show of the Year. Plus, he was a 16-time Addy Award winner in the area of Audio/Feature/Commercial production & Copywriting.”
Saga’s Charleston Media Solutions President Paul O’Malley said, “TJ Phillips was more than a morning DJ. He was an immensely talented broadcaster, but also a veteran who proudly served his country, a man who constantly tried to make the lives of others better, and a friend who will be greatly missed.”
Saga Charleston lost Hot AC “Mix 95.9” WMXZ PD/morning host Mike Edwards in December.
Brandon Charles
It’s probably hard to have high morale at that cluster right now. I was gonna say something silly about how it would be great if they brought grief counselors in, but that actually insinuates that the radio industry cares at all about mental health.