Home Login RADIO ONLINE RSS Facebook
Advertisement

Hometown Radio Group VP/Broadcast Ops Byers Dead at 62


Ken Byers
Ken Byers

After 17 years of service to the communities and radio station group, AZ Hometown Radio Group VP/Broadcast Operations Ken Byers has died at the age of 62. He joined the company just one week after 9/11 and led the broadcast operations right up to when his illness forced his retirement in October. Byers anchored "The Morning Mix" on KPPV and made significant contributions both on-air and behind the scenes on all of its stations.

Born in West Virginia, Byers began his Arizona radio career in 1990 at KCKY in Coolidge and advanced to a position with KTAR in Phoenix the following year helping with technical and production for the "Pat McMahon show." Byers was able to rub elbows with the likes of Walter Cronkite, Alice Cooper and Paul Harvey.

In 2000 he left KTAR to be the morning voice of KTHQ in Show Low, AZ. the following year, he made the move to KPPV and KQNA. What followed was a career that saw Byers move from morning announcer to production supervisor to Vice President of Broadcast Operations with what became Arizona's Hometown Radio Group. He had garnered several Associated Press awards for Best Newscast and Best Live Reporting. Byers also earned a "Silver Microphone" for creation of the KPPV 20 year anniversary montages.

Among the many charitable organizations Byers actively supported and volunteered for over the past 17 years include Yavapai Big Bros, Boys and Girls Club, United Way, Trauma Intervention program and all local Chambers of Commerce. Ken has voluntarily emceed hundreds of events seeking to make each one both fun and successful for sponsoring organizations.

When asked what he will miss most about being in radio, Byers said, "The relationships I have been fortunate to create and to be able to work at my life's 'dream job'. The hardest thing for me is to leave a job and people that I love so dearly who have been supportive even while I have been going to Phoenix for daily treatments. This is what I have wanted to do even as a little kid so that makes it hard to leave."

He is survived by his wife, Shannon and daughter Charlotte.

Advertisement

Latest Radio Stories

CMG Launches Relief Drive for Flood-Ravaged Hill Country
Cox Media Group
Cox Media Group
In response to the severe storms and flooding that swept through the Texas Hill Country last week, Cox Media Group San Antonio and Gunn Automotive Group have launched the "Help the Hill Country" relief drive to support affected families. Starting today and running through Saturday, July 12, members of More

NuVoodoo Study Reveals Radio Still Dominates In-Car
NuVoodoo Media Services
NuVoodoo Media Services
As fall ratings approach, NuVoodoo Media Services has released findings from its latest Ratings Prospects Study, revealing that while streaming platforms like Spotify continue to gain ground, traditional AM/FM radio still commands a leading position in the car. The study, which More

Leadership Change at Times-Shamrock as Loftus Retires
Diane Sutter
Diane Sutter
Times-Shamrock Communications is entering a new era of leadership following the retirement of CEO Jim Loftus, who steps down after 18 months in the role and a career spanning decades in Pennsylvania radio. The company has appointed board member Diane Sutter as Acting CEO and expanded the responsibilities of More
Advertisement

Study: Audio Ads Key to Reaching Passive Job Seekers
Cumulus Media and Westwood One
Cumulus Media and Westwood One
A new study from Cumulus Media | Westwood One's Audio Active Group reveals that ad-supported audio -- particularly AM/FM radio and streaming -- is a powerful tool for reaching both active and passive job seekers, with important implications for recruitment advertisers. The national survey, conducted by More

Kevin Winter Heads to UoF for New Role at WRUF
Kevin Winter
Kevin Winter
Former ESPN Radio anchor and studio host Kevin Winter has found his next chapter following his departure from the network earlier this year. In a Facebook post, Winter revealed that he has accepted a position at the University of Florida, with his new role set to begin July 11. While the university has More

Ryan Ermanni Joins WJR-AM in Detroit as Afternoon Host
Ryan Ermanni
Ryan Ermanni
Longtime Detroit media personality Ryan Ermanni joins News/Talk WJR 760 AM as its new afternoon on-air host. Ermanni will be heard weekdays from 2-4pm, starting Monday. Well-known to local audiences from his two decades at WJBK (FOX 2 Detroit), where he co-hosted the station's late-morning talk show "The More

Return to Menu

Advertisement

Subscribe to our Newsletter
Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free.

Advertisement

Advertisement