Atlanta Radio Veteran ''Cadillac Jack'' Choate Dies at 51

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, April 23, 2025 | 3:24pm CT

William ''Cadillac Jack'' Choate

William "Cadillac Jack" Choate, a veteran voice on Atlanta Country radio for nearly three decades, has died following a heart attack. He was 51. His wife, Donna Choate, confirmed his passing to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday, saying he died on April 17. Choate had previously suffered a heart attack in 2017 and had three stents placed in a major artery.

Known to fans simply as "Caddy," Choate was a fixture on WKHX (Kicks 101.5) for 26 years and also spent four years at 92.5 The Bear in Fayetteville. He joined Kicks in 1993 at the age of 19, quickly establishing himself as a dedicated and approachable presence on the air. In 2006, he became the station's morning show host, a role he held for 13 years.

Choate's easygoing, relatable style and genuine connection with listeners set him apart. He was known to exchange phone numbers with fans and stay in touch beyond the studio. "Take direction," he once told the AJC when asked about surviving in the radio business. "I don't have all the answers. I never will be the smartest guy in the room. I need coaching. I need good direction."

Born in Hickory, NC, Choate got his radio name as a teenager from a Myrtle Beach program director. "Call me anything you want," he said in a 2013 interview. "Just give me a job!"

In a Facebook post, Donna Choate reflected on her husband's private battles with mental illness and addiction. "He battled demons we couldn't always understand," she wrote. "I hope and pray he has found the peace he was searching for all this time."

She also acknowledged the pain carried by their children: Wil, Olivia, and Charlotte. "They have walked through unimaginable pain and disappointment," she said. "Please pray for all three of them. If you or someone you know is struggling, please don't ever think it is too late to ask for help or change."

The family plans to hold a small private service.