Fitz Named New Host of ‘Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40’
• Veteran Country radio personality Fitz has been named as the new permanent host of Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40, succeeding the late, legendary Bob Kingsley. Fitz, who does mornings on Hubbard Radio Country KNUC (98.9 The Bull)/Seattle will become only the third host in the 45-year history of Country music’s biggest, most-honored and longest-running national radio show. Since Kingsley’s cancer diagnosis and ultimate passing in October of this year, various Country music superstars have been filling in for the late Radio Hall of Famer.
The multi-year partnership between Hubbard Radio and KCCS Productions, run by Kingsley’s wife, Nan Kingsley will launch the newly rebranded Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 with Fitz the weekend of January 4 & 5, 2020 on more than 300 stations worldwide and feature audio from the Kingsley Archives. Skyview Networks will exclusively lead the network sales effort and be responsible for the show’s distribution. At the same time it was announced that Fitz will be wrapping up production on his Sun Broadcast Group-syndicated The Fitz Show (effective Jan.31, 2020), The Hit List with Fitz and Nashville Minute with Fitz, and will begin to transition Hit List affiliates over to the new Country Top 40 franchise, effective in January.
“I listened to Bob Kingsley every weekend when I was a kid,” said Fitz. “His loss is still sinking in, but I’m honored to be taking the reins from the man who instilled in me a lifelong love of Country music and the love of the ‘countdown.’ This moment is surreal, and I do not take the responsibility lightly. I’m excited and honored to carry his torch and hope that I can do for the next generation of country music fans, what the legendary Bob Kingsley did for me. I’m grateful to Nan Kingsley and hope to make her and Bob proud!”
Nan Kingsley, President/CEO of KCCS Productions, remarked, “Bob and I built a family business working alongside one another for more than 30 years. After spending time with [Hubbard Radio CEO] Ginny Morrisand her stellar team discussing their business philosophy, it was very evident to me that Hubbard is the perfect partner to continue the legacy of the countdown show Bob led for 45 years. Having the chance to sit with Fitz, who so eloquently shared his passion for Bob and the show, leaves me feeling excited and encouraged about the next iteration of Country Top 40.” Ginny Morris commented, “All of us at Hubbard are humbled by Nan’s trust in our ability to continue their great legacy. We know this is a lifelong dream for Fitz and congratulate him as well.”
“Bob Kingsley’s cherished legacy lives on in this new venture hosted by Fitz, one of Country radio’s most dynamic rising stars,” said Steve Jones, President & COO of Skyview Networks. “We are honored to provide advertisers the opportunity to engage with the show’s passionate Country music fans through one of the most storied brands in the format.”
Kingsley’s longtime production team, including Producer Ken Halford, Chief Engineer Roger Ramsey, GM & Affiliate Sales Lead Shawn Studer, Associate Producer & Archivist Barbara Lyon and Nashville-based interviewer and writer Deborah Evans-Price will continue to curate the show. Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 will end its run of guest hosts at the end of December, with Garth Brooks hosting the weekend of December 21-22 and Garth & wife Trisha Yearwood hosting the year-end show airing the weekend of December 28-29, and the final edition of Bob Kingsley’s Christmas In America, wrapping 25 years of a holiday tradition, is available for affiliate clearance.
Fitz is represented by CAA agent (and longtime radio pro) Michael Bryan, who can be reached at 615-386-4223 or michael.m.bryan@caa.com. For inquiries for market availability, contact Shawn Studer at shawn@ct40.com.
