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Saturday, July 27, 2013

RIP, Kidd Kraddick

     
   UPDATE: Video has been removed but here is the audio from Kidd's self-eulogy from last week. Chilling.

   Shocking news tonight out of New Orleans: David "Kidd" Kraddick has died.
   Details aren't yet confirmed, but multiple media types close to Kraddick and/or his show are telling me that the iconic Dallas radio host passed away Saturday of either a brain aneurysm or a heart attack while attending a charity golf tournament in New Orleans. Kidd was playing golf for his beloved Kidd's Kids Charity when he began feeling ill. After retreating to his limousine, his condition immediately and intensely worsened and attempts to revive him on the scene were unsuccessful.
   Because of his immense popularity, charitable heart and unyielding enthusiasm, Kraddick belongs on the Mount Rushmore of Metroplex radio alongside the likes of Ron Chapman and Norm Hitzges.
   A chilling side note: Just last week Kraddick and his Kidd Kraddick in the Morning show did their on-air "Deathbed Confessions." Kraddick started his obit by joking, "Today, I'm the one dying." The video (since removed) was posted July 22.
   Kraddick was born in Ohio and raised in Florida, attending the University of Miami before arriving in Texas in 1984 as a host on 97.1 The Eagle. Some of us old-timers who grew up listening to Kidd will remember classic bits like "Burn Your Buns." Anyone who met him - even those of us with marginal radio talent - always felt better about our careers after chatting with the effervescent, always-supportive Kidd.
   And here's to his signature sign-off:
   "Keep looking up, because that’s where it all is!"
   After moving to 106.1 KISS FM Kraddick's persona - and show - took off, blossoming into Dallas/Fort Worth's highest-rated listen. In 2001 his show became syndicated, airing in 75 markets including the Armed Forces Radio Network around the globe.
   His popularity and legend multiplied when he launched his own charity, Kidd's Kids in '91 and later when he became co-host of the popular TV show, Dish Nation.
   Kraddick's shocking, sudden death is yet another reminder that life - and death - ain't fair. Bad things happen to really good people.
   Kidd Kraddick was 53.

   Official statement from YEA Networks:
   All of us with YEA Networks and the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning crew are heartbroken over the loss of our dear friend and leader.  Kidd devoted his life to making people smile every morning, and for 21 years his foundation has been dedicated to bringing joy to thousands of chronically and terminally ill children.   Kidd passed away today in New Orleans at a golf tournament organized to raise money for his beloved Kidd's Kids charity.  He died doing what he loved, and his final day was spent selflessly focused on those special children that meant the world to him.We ask that you respect the privacy of his family and his colleagues.  At the appropriate time, we will release more information about the cause of death.

15 comments:

  1. Marry your woman and enjoy life dude. As much as we miss you on radio, unless you own the bitch, stay away from the corporate shitheads. The stress of radio survival is not worth it. As Kidd has just proven, life is too short.

    RIP KK

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  2. confirmed on CNN.com

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  3. I wasn't a listener to the show, but I remember flipping stations and I was listening to him talking to a caller who was down on her luck, and had serious problems. You could tell the caller's misfortune was a sudden surprise to the listeners and the show, and Kidd personally offered 10,000 dollars from his own account to help her. I'm reading many, many stories like this about Kidd showing his heart and how generous he was.

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  4. Didn't he also do the "Boogie Check" on Sunday nights? What a talented and good man. He will be missed.

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  5. I remember listening to him in high school on the Eagle....Jees, that was 25 years ago. I happened to be on twitter last night moments after Cuban tweeted. I asked if he was hacked. Ultimately, I tweeted you about it RW, cause I knew you'd get to the bottom of it. By all accounts a good dude. Died too soon. We should all strive to be as good a person as he appeared.

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  6. It sucks when people you liked from you childhood start dying. Damn. He was a super good guy. When I was in 8th grade, my school brought him in to DJ a dance party type thing.

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  7. I know exactly what you are talking about Richie. I was a promotions kid for a while at 96.3 KSCS and got to meet him while working a concert. I was a nobody in this business and he encouraged me to not give up. Such an awesome guy. RIP Kidd

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    1. Too many creeps around to be losing great guys like him. Sad.

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  8. Hearing the old audio of Kidd Kraddick on KEGL brings me right back to high school. He was a legend in Dallas radio.

    After moving from Dallas to Florida in the '90s, I was at Disney World with my kids when we ran into families in "Kidd's Kids" T shirts. The group was huge.

    As sad as this news is to hear, his legacy of helping so many children will long be remembered.

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  9. RW, I never post a comment. I have been following you for a while. Before I ever read a word of your work or listened to you on the air, my husband and I ran into you and he was giddy. It was funny.

    Last night - via Mark Cuban's twitter we learned of Kidd's death and were shocked. I searched CNN, FOX4, WFAA, Liberally Lean and every twitter account of his co-hosts to see if I could get more insight other than just, "he had a brain aneurysm". Nothing.

    I checked your blog this afternoon and finally got more info than anybody else has.

    Now, my question is.....how in the world was Mark Cuban the first one to break the news?

    Let me mention, he's gone way too soon! I pray his Kidd's kids continues on in his absence.

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  10. A wonderful man to wake up to in the mornings, "on air." He will be missed by many. My sympathy to his family and friends.

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  11. Its easy mark was friends with kidd..pro knew hours b4 posting but wanted to make sure family..friends knew...next thing i bet richie kellie big al knew about this hours b4 cuban posted...its called respect...

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  12. I started listening to Kidd when I was in Junior High in Irving, TX. Listened through my High School years but tapered off in College. Would listen to him occasionally as an adult but I always enjoyed his style. He could be goofy at times but at the end of the day, he was a professional and very good at what he did. He was a great guy and the Metroplex has lost somebody special. Godspeed KK

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