Willobee Exits Indie 102.3/Denver For New Adventure
• As we were uploading Wednesday’s issue of RAMP late Tuesday night, we received this email from Willobee Carlan, Program Director of Colorado Public Radio Triple A KVOQ (Indie 102.3)/Denver. The note reads, in part: “I just wanted to let you know that I left my position as Program Director at Indie 102.3. My last day was November 14. March would have been seven years, and it’s bittersweet that I exit just as we hit a high point with the best ratings in our history. I am very proud of the work we did and even more proud of the amazing team that will take Indie 102.3 to new heights.”
“I want to shout out to the crew: Dana Meyers, who redefined morning radio in Denver and will continue to be a bright star in mornings; Alisha Sweeney, midday host, who has taken the Colorado Music Community under her wing and given a platform to hundreds if not thousands of amazing artists; Jason Thomas, Music Director and top notch afternoon host, who has helped steer the station to its current success; Jessi Whitten, who is a much loved familiar voice and made radio worth listening to at night; and Shawn Lucero, consummate radio pro who elevated the station promotionally to new levels, a linchpin of the entire operation. I will miss working with these very talented people who brought their A game every day! I am happy we got to present Indieverse, our first mini festival back in September and so pleased with all the events and shows we were able to bring to Colorado.”
Carlan’s radio career began at WLIR/Long Island. He went on to program legendary Northshire Alternative WEQX/Manchester, VT-Albany, NY, followed by a stretch with Shamrock Communications in Wilkes Barre-Scranton, PA as OM/PD of Classic Rock WEZX, Alternative WFUZ and ESPN affiliate WEJL. In early 2012 Carlan relocated to Reno to oversee the launch of five new Shamrock brands from scratch — Alternative KRZQ, Top 40 KWNZ (POP FM), Rocker KZTI (Z105.3), News/Talk KNEZ (K-News) and Adult Standards Martini Radio.
Carlan joined Nevada Public Radio in late 2016 and launched Triple A KVNV (NV89)/Reno in April 2017. He relocated to Denver in early 2019 as PD of Colorado Public Radio’s Triple A station, then named “OpenAir.” He is also an inductee into the Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
In closing, Carlan said, “As for me, I’m not done just yet. While I’m hanging up the headphones for now, I am excited about my next chapter. I’m off to London next week to launch my new project and I will share details with y’all very soon. In the meantime, thank you all for the years of support and friendship. I hope you will continue to support Indie 102.3 and CPR and help foster their future success. Happy Thanksgiving!”
