Remembering Steve Smith
• UPDATED: Memorial services for Steve Smith will be held this Sunday at 11am at Gilbert Memorial Park, 2011 E. Queen Creek Road, Gilbert, AZ 85297. We are told that flowers are welcome, as are donations in Steve’s name to to Musicians On Call. Questions, call 480-935-5858.
• We were shocked and deeply saddened on Saturday to learn of the untimely passing of longtime programmer and consultant Steve Smith. A Statement From The Family Of Steve Smith reads: “The industry is mourning the devastating loss of veteran programmer and broadcast executive Steve Smith. Steve unexpectedly passed away peacefully at home, in his sleep, on July 7th, 2022. Steve’s highly successful career spanned 40 years and has broken countless records, won countless awards, and has irrevocably changed the landscape of American radio for the better. Details regarding the celebration of his life will be forthcoming.”
In April of this year Smith and fellow Arizona-based programming pro Tim Richards teamed up to launch their new consultancy, the Smith Richards Collective, which also houses full-service digital marketing agency, McIvor Marketing, led by partner Heidi McIvor-Allen. An understandably emotional Tim Richards issued a statement that reads, in part, “As I write this, I’m in absolute shock. Today I found out that my friend and partner Steve Smith passed away. I can’t put into words what I’m feeling right now but mostly, it’s numbness. We don’t know what happened, just that he went to bed and didn’t wake up.”
Smith had most recently spent a decade with Cox Media Group, joining the company in August 2011 and serving as VP of Programming until his departure in Nov. 2021. Before that he operated his own consultancy, Steve Smith Radio & Ratings for nearly two decades. Smith’s lengthy radio career also included a stint as VP of Radio Programming for CBS Radio New York, SVP of Programming for Clear Channel, VP of Programming for AMFM, and a memorable decade as the bicoastal VP of Programming for Emmis, overseeing WQHT (Hot 97) & WRKS/New York and KPWR (Power 106)/Los Angeles. From 1990-93 Smith programmed KKFR (Power 92)/Phoenix to No. 1 in the market, and he initially burst onto the national radio radar in the late ’80s when he launched rhythmic KQHT (Hot 97.7)/San Jose and took it to No. 1 in just three months.
Rick Cummings, Emmis Pres. Of Content, told RAMP, “Steve Smith was the Emmis Program Director who made HOT 97 the most iconic hip hop radio brand on the planet. Steve was great with talent and brought an enthusiasm for his team and their mission that was felt by all. I will miss our discussions tremendously.”
Tim Richards noted, “I first encountered Steve in 1992 at the MTV Awards in LA at a Westwood One broadcast. I was there producing for Gary Spears & B96/Chicago and Steve was there with Supersnake & Power 92/Phoenix. Even back then I remember thinking, ‘Who’s that guy?’ He had a rock-star presence.” He added, “As often happens, our paths would cross a lot through the years until 2003 when Steve was part of the team that hired me in at Clear Channel Tucson. In 2006 Johnjay, Rich and I pitched Steve on the idea of ‘Arizona’s Morning Show.’ He gave us the green light and the rest, as they say, is history.” He continued, “Last year when Steve stepped away from his VP position at CMG, we discussed launching a joint consultancy. We made the official announcement back in April and have already been fortunate to work with some great clients. The future was bright, then… today, that call.”
In closing, Richards said, “Steve was (that’s so hard to type) an incredible man. He was a radio innovator and one of the kindest and most creative programmers I’ve ever learned from. Most of all, he was a great person. I’m so blessed to have known him and the world will definitely be a different place without his presence. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers as we process this unthinkable news.” Smith is survived by his son, Josh, and his fiancée, Mina Farahmandi.
• Longtime promotion executive Felicia Swerling-Suslow (pictured here between Smith and Tim Richards during a recent visit) recalls, “Steve treated me like a little sister ever since we met at KKFR in 1992. He hated me at first, because he didn’t think I could pull off a TLC interview backstage. It happened, and basically, I had to set him straight. We became tight from that moment on. He was such an iconic human being, and a true mentor to so many of us. He took such amazing pride in everything he touched. We want to honor our dear friend, the one and only Steve Smith.”
• Mike McVay, President of McVay Media Consulting: “Steve was an excellent collaborator when you were on the same team and a formidable competitor when not. Great respect for this man. Deeply sympathetic to his family and closest friends. Sorry for our industry.”
• Veteran radio programmer Jhani Kaye: “Steve was the absolute best part of AMFM and Clear Channel. He was always supportive and had a unique way of making things easier… and a whole lot more fun. An incredible broadcaster who will be missed by all the good people in radio.”
• Keith Cunningham, PD of KLOS/Los Angeles: “He was one of the best. Gone way too soon.”
• JV, Mornings, KYLD (Wild 94.9)/San Francisco: “My first gig was morning show producer at Hot 97.7/San Jose. I was then moved to 6-10 nights. Only a few months on, Steve Smith flew in from NY. He asked what my end goal was. I told him I wanted to do mornings in San Francisco. He said, ‘Well let’s get you off nights and over to mornings on Hot 105/Modesto (where he was also the consultant). I was worried about leaving the Bay Area, but he told me ‘Don’t worry, you’ll be back and your dream is going to happen.’ He then started coaching me as a morning host. After about eight months I was back at Hot 97.7, teamed up with Elvis to form The Dog House. Six months later, The Dog House was on Wild 949 in San Francisco, where Steve continued to help us! I am forever grateful!! I love Steve!”
• Phoenix radio veteran Dena Yasner said, “The news of Steve Smith’s passing is devastating. He was a programming mentor for me since he hired me at KKFR/Phoenix back in 1991. The Phoenix radio market was on fire back then with a heated three-way CHR battle, and Steve’s instincts and passion for creating great radio and marketing campaigns then, and throughout his legendary career has left an indelible footprint on the history of radio forever. We’ve stayed close friends for 30+ years, and at his core, he was a rock star. He played guitar, and loved to play live on stage with artists like Alice Cooper, the late Eddie Money, and others. My heart is heavy, and goes out to his fiancée, Mina; his son, Josh; and the rest of his family and friends. Rest In Peace, Steve. I will miss you terribly.”
