Dankwa & Zito On The Move
• Congratulations to Kwame “KD” Dankwa, former APD/afternoon personality on iHeartMedia Top 40 KPWK (Power 93.3)/Seattle, who has returned to the Eastern time zone with a new gig inside his carry-on luggage — he’s the new PD of Connoisseur Media Top 40 WRTS (Star 104)/Erie, PA, starting Feb. 27. In making the announcement, Erie GM Michael Malpiedi stated, “Kwame’s impressive resume, energy and passion for radio, combined with his engaging personality made him the perfect fit to complete the Star 104 family.”
Dankwa (left) had spent the past year in Seattle, transitioning from the PD post at Pamal Top 40 WZRT (Z97.1)/Rutland, VT — his second tour-of-duty at Z97.1. He was also doing weekends at CBS Radio’s WODS (103.3 AMP Radio)/Boston. In between his two stints at Z97.1, Dankwa was APD/night jock at iHeartMedia Top 40 KWNW (101.9 Radio Now)/Memphis. Commenting on his new gig, Dankwa said, “I knew the day I left Seattle that this was the job I wanted, and coming to Erie for the market visit and meeting the staff confirmed that belief. Thank you to Harv Blain, Chris Ryan, Joe Lang, Michelle Stevens and Michael Malpiedi for bringing me into the Connoisseur family!” The Star 104 PD spot has been open since last November, when Chris Ryan was named PD of Neuhoff Media Top 40 WSOY-FM (Y103)/Decatur, IL.
• Beasley has brought Ft. Myers market vet Jeff Zito back to the market reclaim his former PD post at Active Rock WRXK (96 K-Rock). It was last June when Zito earned the big transfer from 96 K-Rock to the PD spot at big sister WBRN (98.7 No Rules Rock)/Tampa. Obviously, a lot has transpired since that time — WBRN subsequently fired former station namesake Bubba The Love Sponge and last month flipped the station to AC as The New b98.7. OM Adam Star also notes that Zito can be enjoyed on 96 K-Rock weekdays from 10am-2pm. His new email address is Jeff.Zito@bbgi.com.
And, as we reported in yesterday’s RAMP, Zito’s former longtime morning show partner, Bob Garrett passed away on Sunday, Feb. 12. He had been battling serious respiratory issues for most of his adult life. The team of Zito & Garrett reigned for more than a decade at Beasley’s former Active Rock WJBX (99X), and later, at WRXK (96 K-Rock)/Ft. Myers. Garrett also worked at WHPT and WYNF/Tampa and WEBN/Cincinnati. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Garrett’s wife, Lynne deal with these sudden, unexpected expenses, and to aid their son Nathan‘s college education. Any donation will be gratefully accepted.
