Life Changes. So Does KUZZ
• Buck Owens’ Heritage Country KUZZ/Bakersfield, CA shared some major news today that morning duo Cliff Dumas & Tanya Brakebill will be retiring, effective this Friday. Cliff and Tanya made the big announcement Monday morning, with Tanya, a 23-year KUZZ veteran noting that she had expressed her desire to retire last summer — she will remain the station’s Public Affairs Director — while Dumas, who joined KUZZ in August 2020 was pursuing an opportunity in station ownership.
Dumas is a multiple CMA, ACM and CCMA-winning broadcaster who earlier hosted the Talent Farm-distributed Cliff & Sharon Show with Sharon Burns and did mornings at KSON/San Diego from 2002-2011. He was also the voice of CMT Canada for 15 years and notably spent 24 years with CBC Television in Canada as a writer, voiceover talent and co-producer of 18 Canadian Country Music Awards, and other TV specials.
Smartly calling upon the talents of current staffers, PD Brent Michaels announced that, beginning Monday, June 26, longtime MD/afternoon driver Kenn McCloud and evening personality Vanessa “Ness” Heraldez will team up in morning drive as “Kenn & Ness” from 5-10am, followed by Mike Bell, whose current 9am-noon shift will be extended to 10am-2pm. Brent Michaels, who is current rolling from noon-3pm, will take over the 2-6pm drivetime slot, and the Skyview Networks-syndicated B-Dub Radio will debut in evenings.
“Cliff & Tanya have done a great job for us for the last three years,” says Michaels. “It’s bittersweet because I’m truly excited for them in their new adventures. Kenn & Ness will do a great job in mornings for us, and I’m excited to move to afternoons and welcome B-Dub to the team.” KUZZ will continue to look for a full-time live talent to add to their on-air lineup. Pictured, (l-r): Tanya & Cliff, and Ness & Kenn.
