End Of A Portland Radio Era
• iHeartMedia AC KKCW (K103)/Portland, OR made the major announcement today that veteran morning personalities John Erickson and Bruce Murdock are retiring as hosts of Bruce, John & Janine, effective December 20. Morning traffic reporter Janine Wolf will remain with the station. Details about a new morning show will be announced in the coming weeks.
Murdock (left) and Erickson (right) are Pacific Northwest radio legends, and enjoy a long and successful radio history together — Murdock has hosted the K103 Morning Show since 2004 and Erickson has been delivering news and information on K103 since 1985. K103 is the third station where Murdock and Erickson have teamed up in mornings — they previously worked together at 62 KGW/Portland in the ’70s and KING/Seattle in the ’80s.
“Rarely does someone get to do what they love to do every day for an entire 45-year career,” said Murdock. “We’ve laughed and cried as one and that’s what’s most special to me — a meaningful connection between me and the hometown I love. I’m so blessed and so grateful to have been a part of Portland’s legendary K103 with John and Janine, but now it’s time to pivot and focus on my family. I want to thank iHeartMedia and our listeners for everything.” Erickson said, “My dream was to spend my career doing mornings on a top-tier station and raise my family in the community that I love. I’m beyond grateful to everyone who has made that possible, including managers and colleagues, but most of all, the listeners. Everyone at iHeartMedia has been wonderful.”
“When I think of Bruce and John, I think of them as Portland’s conscience,” said Robert Dove, Region President of iHeartMedia’s Pacific Northwest Region. “Over the years, they have played a major role in numerous Portland community events, lending support to charitable organizations large and small and have always looked for opportunities to support Portland’s civic values and bring out the best in this beautiful city of ours. I know I speak for a lot of Portlanders when I say mornings won’t be the same and they truly will be missed.”
To celebrate the guys’ last day on Portland radio, K103 will air a special live Christmas-themed broadcast from the iHeartRadio Theater in Portland on December 20 from 6-10am. The event will feature a live studio audience and an array of special guests, including local favorites Michael Allen Harrison & Julianne Johnson, the Pacific Bell Ringers, The Beat Goes On Marching Band, local high school choirs and a special appearance from Santa Claus. Listeners who wish to attend the final broadcast on December 20 can sign up to be on the guest list on the K103 website. Media interested in attending the special broadcast can contact Marketing Goddess Susan Reynolds at SusanReynolds@iHeartMedia.com.
