After 33 years in mornings in the Dallas market, Terry Dorsey has announced his retirement from Cumulus Country 96.3 KSCS.

Dorsey entered the Dallas market at now-sister 99.5 KPLX in 1981. He crossed over to KSCS in 1988 to front “The Dorsey Gang” with co-host Mark ‘Hawkeye’ Louis. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram states that move to KSCS led to a long stretch of dominance for the station leading the market. In 2011 the program was retitled as “Hawkeye & Dorsey”.

Dorsey’s final day on the station will be next Wednesday, December 17. Following his exit, Hawkeye and producer ‘Trapper’ John Morris will continue in the timeslot.

Listen to the audio of Dorsey’s retirement announcement here.

Cumulus announces that legendary Country radio morning personality Terry Dorsey will retire after more than 40 years in radio, with the last 26 years as morning host for KSCS. Dorsey’s last day on the air at KSCS will be December 17, after which he and his wife, Claudia, will retire to Illinois to be close to family.

Dorsey started his radio career in the late 60’s at WFKY in Frankfort, Kentucky. He then made stops in Richmond, Indiana; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Dayton, Ohio before arriving in Dallas in 1980 to do mornings on KPLX. Dorsey moved across town to KSCS in July, 1988 and has been a fixture on KSCS and Dallas radio ever since.

Dorsey is a Vietnam War veteran, serving as a Combat Engineer in the Army. He was inducted into the Country Radio DJ Hall of Fame in 2006, and into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2007. He has also won the CMA, AMA, and Billboard Major Market Personality of the Year Awards.

In 2010, Dorsey gained worldwide recognition when an April Fool’s prank got the attention of almost all the major news outlets and organizations including ESPN and CNN. Eddie Gossage, general manager of Texas Motor Speedway, offered Terry $100,000 if he would “legally change his name” to TexasMotorSpeedway.com!

Mark “Hawkeye” Louis, KSCS Morning Co-Host said: “There are people in the metroplex that have never heard Dallas radio without Terry Dorsey, and I’ve worked with him almost all of my career. I’m in shock along with everyone else. I wish him a wonderful retirement!”

J.R. Schumann, Operations Manager for KSCS/KPLX said: “What an honor it’s been to work with a broadcast giant like Terry Dorsey. This has been a milestone in my career, and I’m fortunate for having been able to attach my name to part of his legendary career. I think I can speak for most people when I say Dallas radio won’t be the same without Terry’s voice in the morning! I wish him nothing but the absolute best in his retirement!”

Dan Bennett, Regional Vice President/Market Manager for Cumulus Dallas/Houston said: “Terry’s contribution to Dallas/Fort Worth radio is monumental. He is an Iconic figure in our industry and we are all better because Terry Dorsey was in it.”