Hansen Hanging Up His Headphones

• After a remarkable radio run spanning more than four decades — on the same station — Fresno’s own Craig Hansen announced his impending retirement from Cumulus News-Talk KMJ (580AM/105.9FM), effective December 22, 2018.

Hansen’s first day at the 50,000-watt station was November 24, 1976, and over the ensuing decades, he has held a wide variety of on-air positions, but he’s probably best known and loved for his years as KMJ’s go-to-guy on Saturdays, where he hosted KMJ’s morning news, Autoshop Talk, Real Talk and everyone’s favorite — Radio Tradio. Hansen’s 42-year tenure is the second longest in KMJ’s history — surpassed only by Jerry Higgenbotham‘s marathon run from 1949 to 1994.

Patty Hixson, VP/Market Manager of Cumulus Media Fresno, said, “Craig and I began working together in 1987, and it’s been an absolute pleasure from day one. He’s a true radio pro with such an amazing wealth of knowledge. We will miss his dependable voice and wry humor on KMJ’s airwaves. We wish Craig and his wife Pam the best of times in their well-deserved retirement.”

KMJ PD Blake Taylor commented, “Craig is a virtual encyclopedia of our station’s 96-year history. He’s such a fun guy — both on the air and off. We’re going to miss him.” Echoing that sentiment, fellow Fresno market fixture Ray Appleton, who joined KMJ in 1987, said of Hansen, “That sense of humor will be irreplaceable!” Over the next few weeks, Hansen will be making special guest appearances on several KMJ shows to regale listeners with some of his epic radio tales. Watch Hansen (right) and Appleton (left) chat about Hansen’s days at KMJ on Facebook.