Knapp Time For Backtrax USA
• Backtrax USA with Kid Kelly, the original ’80s and ’90s show enjoyed on hundreds of fine radio stations across America and around the world, has acquired the talents of iHeartMedia’s Toby Knapp as the show’s ’90s music curator and fill-in host for both the ’80s and ’90s versions of the Westwood One-syndicated show.
The move marks a joyful reunion for Kelly, VP of Music Programming at SiriusXM and Mr. Knapp (pictured), who was recently named morning co-host on iHeartMedia AC WASH/Washington after 11 years across the hall as APD/afternoon talent on sister WIHT (Hot 99.5) — Knapp was Kelly’s morning producer/sidekick back in the day at WHBT (Hot 97)/Wilkes Barre-Scranton. As Kelly explained, “These days, there are only a handful of Top 40 jocks that were also students of the golden era of Pop radio… The kind who have the discipline to study and work hard at perfecting the craft and art of being word-efficient, while being able to mix in relevant information and entertainment in a unique and engaging way in 20 seconds or less… and Toby Knapp is definitely one of ’em!”
Eagerly returning Kelly’s love-volley, Knapp commented, “Kid’s been a mentor and a friend literally every step of the way through my career since the day he hired me back in the day, and to be able to work with him and the Backtrax USA team really means so much to me personally. I’m excited to help him continue the legacy he’s built with Backtrax USA so it can continue to entertain fans with hits from the ’80s and ’90s, while continuing to inspire people like me who got into this radio game because of people — and personalities — like Kid.”
Backtrax USA premiered in December 1992 and originally highlighted ’80s hits, adding a ’90s version in 2003. The show is now heard on WCBS-FM/New York, WDVD/Detroit, WBEB/Philadelphia, WASH/Washington and many other stations across multiple formats. For more info about the show, contact our friend Kathy Gilbert at 201-487-0900.
