Condolences: James “Moby” Carney
• Country Radio Hall of Fame radio personality James Carney, better known and loved by his legions of listeners and fans as “Moby,” passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Sept, 20 at the age of 69. He was recently hospitalized as he fought Stage 4 liver cancer, which had recently spread to his esophagus.
Carney started his radio career as a 15-year-old jock at 1490 WCSV-AM in his hometown of Crossville, TN. After several years in Nashville, post-college, Carney’s formative years were spent doing Rock radio at WQXM (98 Rock)/Tampa, KSRR (97 Rock)/Houston, KEGL (97.1 The Eagle)/Dallas and KLOL/Houston until 1991, when he made the momentous jump to Country radio, joining WKHX (Kicks 101.5)/Atlanta for a successful 12-year run, including a five-year stretch in syndication from 1993-98. He was named ACM Personality of the Year in 1999. In 2004 Carney launched his own syndicated Moby In The Morning show, which ran until his retirement in late 2016.
Carney was was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2012. He’s also a member of the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame and the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. In a brief statement, Carney’s family said, “He lived his life doing what he loved; making people laugh and get though the day with some humor and reflection.”
Carney is survived by his wife, Marybeth, son Jonah Carney, daughter Grace Marie, and lots of nieces and nephews. We are told that the Carney family is working on plans for a Celebration of Life befitting of the man, his generosity, his huge heart, and spirit. Details will be made public as soon as possible.
