Kraddick Kept His Cancer A Secret For Years

12-31-13

In a lengthy and detailed piece about the sudden death of Kidd Kraddick, D magazine writer Jamie Thompson writes in the magazine's January issue that Kidd Kraddick?s best friend, attorney Toby Wilson, was the only person who knew Kraddick had lymphoma. Kraddick told Wilson back in 2009 during a golf outing and, by then, he had already begun an aggressive course of chemotherapy. The article includes details about Kraddick's strained relationship with his daughter, how he would get sick from chemo while attending events for his charity for kids, and his friendship with Dr. Phil. Over time, Thompson writes, Kraddick?s treatments seemed to work. "Doctors declared him cancer-free and his prognosis, they said, was good. Even so, they warned of serious side effects, including organ damage, that could shorten his life."

Thompson writes that Wilson wanted Kraddick to tell close friends. "Some had begun to wonder whether he had developed a drug problem. The speculation angered Wilson, but given how Kraddick looked, it made sense. Wilson argued that Kraddick should at least tell his daughter, Caroline. But the last few years had been difficult for Kraddick and his daughter. He had divorced her mother in 2008, after 21 years of marriage, and Kraddick didn?t want to put any additional strain on their relationship," Thompson writes. Wilson believes Kraddick did not want anyone to know because he did not want to be pitied.

Thompson also describes in detail exactly who was with Kraddick when he died and how it happened in late July of this year. "Kraddick stepped onto the bus with his friend and company CEO, George Laughlin. He took a sip of water, then dropped the bottle. Kraddick collapsed on the floor as Laughlin rushed toward him. He began performing CPR. The bus driver raced to a hospital several miles away, thinking it would be quicker than waiting for an ambulance." Kidd Kraddick was dead at the age of 53.

Read the entire piece on Kidd Kraddick in D Magazine HERE

(12/31/2013 2:31:51 PM)
"Though my depression has passed, I am concerned that we as an industry are not breaking our chains from the past."

Eric was never depressed. This is nothing but another fucking shill for Bob Struble. Eric doesn't give a shit about radio - all he cares about is his investment in iNiquity!

(12/31/2013 2:16:59 PM)
Where's RTR's comment? A 1960's hippie wannabe!
(12/31/2013 2:15:40 PM)
"He took a sip of water, then dropped the bottle. Kraddick collapsed on the floor as Laughlin rushed toward him."

LMFAO!!!

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Kidd Kraddick Had an Enlarged Heart

7-30-13

Media reports out of Dallas say a preliminary report conducted by Jefferson Parish Deputy Coroner Granville Morse determined Kidd Kraddick's sudden death was cardiac related. Morse said Kraddick had an enlarged heart, which is a sign of high blood pressure. He also had three diseased vessels and one of his arteries had an 80 percent blockage. Morse said heart disease was "evident" and that drug use was not suspected. A toxicology report is still pending. Kraddick died Saturday in New Orleans during his annual fundraiser for his charity Kidd's Kids. One report out of Dallas speculates Kraddick's death had to do with him being a chain smoker.

Watch a report from Channel 8 in Dallas HERE
Read a report from CBS News

Morse said it's likely Kraddick died quickly. He told the Dallas Morning News, "His heart was enlarged. You have several vessels, and three were diseased -- the worst of which was 80 percent blocked. That combination, an enlarged heart and cardiac disease, when someone dies like this it's usually dysrhythmia," which leads to an irregular heartbeat. What happens is your heart goes into a non-perfusable rhythm. In English, that means: imagine you turned off the faucet for the blood to go back to the brain. It not only doesn't get to the brain, but it doesn't get to the heart. Both stop working simultaneously."

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Kraddick Spoke About Death On His Show

7-28-13

It was a comedy bit at the time. Kraddick did a segment last week on what he would say to each member of the show in his final moments on earth. He said, "Have you ever thought about those last moments of your life? Nobody wants a long, lingering illness; nobody wants just that; but it would be nice if you could have a day or two where you know it's coming." He then said goodbye to his on-air staff. "I want to thank all of you guys for being at my deathbed today. I'm going to miss you so much."

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A Tribute to Kidd Kraddick

7-29-13

Sadness, shock, loss and hope ran through my entire being. Hope that the news of Kidd Kraddick?s death/passing was some cruel joke or stunt. It was not. My thoughts went to his daughter Caroline. Kidd and Caroline had such a loving relationship. I?m remembering how proud Kidd was of Caroline when I met her as bubbly and artistic 14 year old. I imagine the pain she must surely be feeling.
Kidd Kraddick was self-deprecating and spontaneously funny. He was one of the best sensory storytellers, his lovable and self-deprecating humor connected with females and males alike. Innovative genius is a term we reserve for only the most brilliant people in any field. He was the Steve Jobs of radio.
Kidd?s Firsts
Kidd transformed multiple-cast shows from morning zoos to a cast of characters. He realized that if listeners didn?t care about the characters, nothing much else mattered. He saw a polarizing spark and a realness in a small town South Carolina girl named Kellie Rasberry. The charm and likability of a Dallas limo driver named Big Al Mack. He recognized the budding talent of a young Bert Weiss. He loved the creative fearlessness of Rich Shertenlieb. They all became stars.
Kidd Kraddick in the Morning was radio?s first character based show that gave equal mic time to all the characters rather than a host or duo with peripheral characters. There was always humor and fun. The difference was the addition of tears, drama and conflict. All real life stuff that connected the characters to the audience emotionally.
The characters extended beyond the show in the form of experts. Kidd introduced me and hundreds of thousands of listeners to a guy named Dr. Phil, his relationship expert. Kidd?s Kids was the first major morning show to create a year-round organization devoted to brightening the lives of chronically and terminally ill children. His last day was spent raising money for his treasured kids.
Character Clip Imaging (Kidd Kraddick plus clip, Kelly Raspberry plus clip, etc.) was a Kidd Kraddick innovation that we still recommend to shows. Kidd Kraddick in the Morning was the first successful syndicated show in Top 40 radio targeted to females.
Kidd demonstrated the difference in good shows and great shows. He wouldn?t stop with a good idea. He would go into every content segment with the goal of making it the best ever! He would push it over the top by improvising a character on the phone, adding a piece of attention-getting audio or by introducing a surprise guest.
He pushed boundaries in life too. We were coming back from dinner in Dallas late one night and he insisted that I experience driving his new BMW. He said, ?Come on man, this IS a driving machine. Push it up to 80?now 90?hit a hundred!!? I?m thinking WTF!! We survived my freeway driving without a speeding ticket!
Kidd wrote books, he wrote music and lyrics, he did TV (Dish Network recently). I witnessed him dash into his office during a commercial break and bang out a sketch comedy bit in less than five minutes! He pulled it off flawlessly on the air.

The last time I saw Kidd was the World Radio Summit in Hollywood a couple of months ago. He looked healthy, relaxed and happy. He was hilarious hosting the awards luncheon with Bert Weiss. He had the audience laughing hysterically on the talent panel later that afternoon. The complimentary emails we exchanged the next week was my last contact with Kidd.

I was privileged to work with Kidd for many years. I lost a friend and a mentor. The world lost a creative genius who gave back generously. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us Kidd. You made a huge difference.

I?m still in disbelief.

Email randy@randylane.net
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Kidd Kraddick Dies At Age 53

The nationally syndicated morning show host died of a brain aneurysm during a golf tournament for his charity. Kraddick was in New Orleans at the tournament to raise money for his Kidd?s Kids charity. Clear Channel SVPO Kelly Kibler Owens said in a statement, "All of us at KISS-FM, Clear Channel Dallas, YEA Networks, and the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning crew are heartbroken over the loss of our dear friend and leader. Kidd devoted his life to making people smile every morning, and for 21 years his foundation has been dedicated to bringing joy to thousands of chronically and terminally ill children." Kraddick won a Marconi in 2006 for Personality of the Year. Listeners are commenting on the Dallas Radio Discussion Board.

We've been told the funeral will be private, for family only.
Read the comments on the Kidd Kraddick Facebook page from fans.

Radio Ink Publisher Eric Rhoads said, "Dave 'Kidd' Kraddick was a dear friend. We became friends in Salt Lake when I gave him his first morning show. He had been doing nights and I thought his nighttime teen sound would work well on mornings. His ratings soared. When he went to Dallas he told me his goal was to beat longtime Dallas legend Ron Chapman who had the top morning show in Dallas at the time, which he did. Dave was the most driven, most hard working, most creative air personality I ever worked with. "

Here is the full statement sent out by KISS-FM in Dallas. "It is with a very heavy heart that I am sending you this e-mail. It has been confirmed that Kidd Kraddick passed away today in New Orleans at a golf tournament organized to raise money for his beloved Kidd?s Kids charity. He died doing what he loved, and his final day was spent selflessly focused on those special children that meant the world to him.

"All of us at KISS-FM, ClearChannel Dallas, YEA Networks, and the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning crew are heartbroken over the loss of our dear friend and leader. Kidd devoted his life to making people smile every morning, and for 21 years his foundation has been dedicated to bringing joy to thousands of chronically and terminally ill children.

"We ask that you respect the privacy of his family and his colleagues. At the appropriate time, we will release more information about the cause of death."

The news of Kraddick's death was greeted with disbelief by friends. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban tweeted, "You were an amazing man and a friend. You are already missed."

"Oh Man, I just heard Kidd Kraddick died! He's my childhood dj. What a sad day. His poor family. He was always nice 2 me from the beginning," tweeted singer Kelly Clarkson.

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Kraddick Join's "Dish Nation"

7-19-2012

Kidd Kraddick  is bringing his radio morning show to TV in a new, nationally syndicated entertainment show called ?Dish Nation.? Set to premier on September 10th, Dish Nation features drive-time radio teams from five cities across the country. The cast from ?Kidd Kraddick in the Morning? will be featured on the half-hour program, which will run during access and late-fringe time slots.

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Kidd Kraddick Raises $415K For Annual Trip

The Kidd Kraddick show raised nearly half a million dollars in one four hour period last week with the help of Southwest Airlines. Donations came through the Southwest Airlines call center, texting, online and Kidd Kraddick in the Morning?s national affiliate markets. Kraddick will be broadcasting from Walt Disney World November 17-21 for his annual Kidd?s Kids trip.

Kidd?s Kids 2011 will take 51 terminally/chronically ill or physically challenged children and their intermediate families to Orlando for five amazing days of suspended reality. These donations will cover all expenses: hotel, park passes, meals, transportation, spending money and souvenirs for 184 Kidd?s Kids and family members.

Kidd?s Kids partner, Southwest Airlines, provides Kidd?s Kids a complimentary aircraft equipped with WiFi and a unique Kidd?s Kids decal, as well as private hangars in Dallas and Orlando. Southwest employees also volunteer their time before, during and after the trip. Kidd?s Kids additional major trip partners include WDW and Disney Events Group, TeleTouch/Hawk Electronics, Imlach Group/Atlas Van Lines, Swan and Dolphin Hotel, The Orlando Magic, Consolidated Restaurant Operations, Mears Transportation/Hello-Florida, and many others.

The Kraddick Foundation was founded in 1991 by Kraddick. The first Kidd?s Kids trip was to Sea World in San Antonio and benefited five families. Due to the generosity of Kidd?s listeners and corporate donations, the program now takes between 40 and 50 families to Walt Disney World each year. Over the years, almost 800 children and their families have attended the Kidd?s Kids trip.

For more information on Kidd?s Kids, visit: kiddskids.com; Facebook.com/KiddsKids; twitter.com/KiddsKids

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Kraddick Teams With Boatload of Cumulus Stations.

Kraddick's YEA! Network announced that The Hollywood 5 will be added to over 40 Cumulus Top 40 and Hot AC radio stations over Fourth Quarter 2011.  The addition of The Hollywood 5 to the selected Cumulus Media stations expands the growing content partnership between the companies. Hosted by Kraddick, from the nationally syndicated radio program Kidd Kraddick in the Morning, and Hollywood insider and show biz reporter, HYLA, The Hollywood 5 is a weekend entertainment show that counts down the biggest celebrity stories of the week.

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