Casanova Calling It A Career
• In less than 90 days, Steve Casanova‘s remarkable 42-year Texas radio career will formally wind down, as he announced his impending retirement as APD/midday talent at Cox Media Group Classic Hits KONO-FM in his hometown of San Antonio.
After starting his career at KDNT/Denton, TX, Casanova was hired at the No. 1 rated Country KBUC/San Antonio, where he honed his skills doing overnights and late nights. That ride lasted until 1988, when KBUC flipped formats and Casanova and the entire KBUC staff was fired. In 1992, after a brief stint at KONO-AM, Casanova’s career took an unusual turn when he was hired by then PD Scott Huskey to do nights on Country Powerhouse KCYY (Y100) — and thus, the birth of “Johnny Montego,” who eventually moved up to middays.
The “Johnny Montego era” at Y100 came to an abrupt halt in 2000 at the same exact time Cox Radio purchased KONO AM & FM from well known radio broker John Barger. It was at that time Montego saw new KONO Program Director Roger Allen in the hallway and said, “Hey, what are you doing here?” Shortly thereafter, the artist formerly known as “Johnny Montego” crossed the hall to do nights at KONO-FM, reverted to his real name of Steve Casanova, and went on to become APD and later, middays, working with Allen for 20 incredible years.
Casanova credits his long career at CMG to “being in exactly the right place at the right time, and knowing when to shut the hell up.” And now, after 24 years of No. 1 ratings and two Marconi Awards, Casanova has decided to go out on his own terms, effective at the end of the year. He thanks Roger Allen, Rob Roberts, RJ Curtis, Scott Huskey, Lee Woods, Gene Kelly and all the remarkable GMs, programmers, jocks and support staff he has worked with for 42 years of unforgettable memories and success.
With Casanova’s end date fast approaching, CMG San Antonio Operations Director of Branding and Programming Rob Roberts (right, with Casanova) is actively looking for someone who is not afraid to step into some big boots and continue the decades of success at San Antonio’s most-listened-to radio station, KONO-FM. Qualified candidates are urged to visit the job posting HERE, and prepare to take on this unique position. Cox Media Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
