Hubbard Radio personality Fitz has been named permanent host of Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40. The multi-year partnership between Hubbard Radio and Nan Kingsley’s KCCS Production will launch the new Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 with Fitz on more than 300 stations and will feature audio from the Kingsley Archives. Kingsley died in October after being diagnosed with cancer.
Fitz becomes the third host in the 45-year history of country music’s longest-running national radio show. He says he grew up listening to Bob Kingsley every weekend. “His loss is still sinking in, but I am honored to be taking the reins from the man who instilled in me a lifelong love of country music and the love of the ‘countdown.’ This moment is surreal, and I do not take the responsibility lightly. I am excited and honored to carry his torch and hope that I can do for the next generation of country music fans, what the legendary Bob Kingsley, did for me. I am grateful to Nan Kingsley and hope to make her and Bob proud!”
Since Kingsley’s passing, country music stars have been hosting the show. Fitz will host his first show in January. Bob Kingsley’s longtime production team, including Producer Ken Halford, Chief Engineer Roger Ramsey, GM & Affiliate Sales Lead Shawn Studer, Associate Producer & Archivist Barbara Lyon, and Nashville-based interviewer and writer Deborah Evans- Price will continue curating the show. Skyview Networks will lead the network sales effort and will be responsible for the show’s distribution.
Fitz, who currently hosts The Fitz Show, The Hit List with Fitz, and Nashville Minute with Fitz, collectively heard on more than 140 stations, will begin to transition many of the 85 stations airing his weekend countdown show (The Hit List with Fitz) to the Country Top 40 franchise in January.
Skyview COO Steve Jones said Bob Kingsley’s legacy lives on in this new venture hosted by Fitz. Jones called Fitz one of country radio’s most dynamic rising stars. “We are honored to provide advertisers the opportunity to engage with the show’s passionate country music fans through one of the most storied brands in the format.”
Bob Kingsley became country music’s first nationally syndicated personality in the late 1970s, at the dawn of network radio and syndicated programming. Together with his wife and business partner Nan, Bob built the largest independently owned and operated audio archive in country music history, with more than 10,000 hours of produced content and an additional 18,000 hours of interviews dating back to 1967.
“Bob and I built a family business working alongside one another for more than 30 years. After spending time with [Hubbard Radio CEO] Ginny Morris and her stellar team discussing their business philosophy, it was very evident to me that Hubbard is the perfect partner to continue the legacy of the countdown show Bob led for 45 years,” stated Nan Kingsley, President/CEO of KCCS Productions. “Having the chance to sit with Fitz, who so eloquently shared his passion for Bob and the show, leaves me feeling excited and encouraged about the next iteration of Country Top 40.”
Hubbard CEO Ginney Morris said, “All of us at Hubbard are humbled by Nan’s trust in our ability to continue their great legacy. We know this is a lifelong dream for Fitz and congratulate him as well.”
By Radio Ink