Cumulus/Kansas City Announces Programming Appointments

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, April 30, 2018

Mike O'Reilly

Cumulus Media promotes programming veteran Mike O'Reilly to Program Director of Alternative KCJK-FM (X105.1)/Kansas City. He'll continue in his current roles as Program Director and afternoon host for co-owned CHR KCHZ-FM (95.7 The Vibe). O'Reilly, a Kansas City native, started his radio career at KCHZ-FM in 1997, launched KCJK-FM in 2004. Previously, he did a nine-year run in San Diego at KFMB-FM, until moving back to Kansas City in 2015 as PD of KCHZ.

Concurrently, the company announced that it had appointed veteran programmer Al Payne as PD for Urban AC KMJK-FM/Kansas City. Payne joins Cumulus from Beasley Broadcasting, where he was Program Director of WMGC-FM (105.1 The Bounce)/Detroit. Payne's 20-year career as a Hip Hop, Urban AC and Rhythmic programmer includes posts at WERQ and WWIN-FM/Baltimore, WKYS/Washington DC, WGZB and WMJM/Louisville, WDMK and WHTD/Detroit, WCDX and WKJS/Richmond VA, KRNB/Dallas, WQMG/Greensboro and WMNX/Wilmington NC.

Midwest Regional VP/Market Manager Donna Baker said, "Mike O'Reilly's exceptional knowledge of these formats, passion to win, and respect as a leader on our team and in our community have earned this well deserved promotion. He is one of the best in the business."

Baker added, "Al Payne brings proven leadership with a clear vision of winning to the helm of our talented Magic 107.3 team. He is the perfect choice to rekindle KMJK to a new level of success."

VP/Programming Operations Doug Hamand said, "Mike is an amazing, smart, lives the lifestyle PD for both Vibe and now X105.1. I am so anxious to see what great things he will do for Kansas City's Alternative."

Hamand added, "Al made a bunch of successful noise in Detroit. He is so plugged into what the Urban AC community needs. He will definitely wake our sleeping giant at Magic 107.3."

O'Reilly said, "How often do you get to return to your hometown with the opportunity to run and manage the stations that started it all for you? Thanks to Doug Hamand and Donna Baker for this rare opportunity! I have such a rich history with both of these signals, not to mention, The hardest working support teams well equipped to take X105-1 and 95-7 The Vibe to entirely new levels in KC."

Payne said, "I'm ready to help maximize the Magic in KC with this great team Donna has put in place. The vibe of this city is incredible and I'm ready to dig in."