June 4, 2012
Neal Boortz will end his long-running radio show in January 2013, he announced Monday. The last episode of The Neal Boortz Show will be heard on January 18. Taking over on January 21 -- Inauguration Day -- will be Herman Cain, businessman and former Republican presidential candidate. Cain also at one time hosted evenings on WSB-AM/Atlanta, where Boortz's current show began airing in 1993.
Boortz, who will be winding up a more than 40-year career in talk radio, said, "It's time for me and my wife, Donna, to hit the road and travel in ways that we have not been able to through most of our 42 years together. As my listeners know, we love traveling, and the restraints created by my daily radio show commitment have kept us on a rather short leash. At present, our post-show travel plans extend through most of 2013 and well into 2014 ranging from Florida to Alaska and Antarctica. We will then figure out where to go from there."
Boortz also stressed that the decision to retire was not made lightly; he said, " I love this business and everything it has afforded me. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to be doing my talk show for 42 years. I'll certainly miss the listeners and callers; but most of all I'll miss my radio family, executive producer Belinda Skelton and researcher Cristina Gonzalez. If, in your own travels, you pass us in the BoortzBus on some highway, be sure to wave."
Boortz's show, syndicated by Cox Media and represented nationally for advertising and affiliate sales by Dial Global, has more than 200 affiliates. Cain will continue his regular segments on the show until he takes the reins next year.
Cain said, "Neal has spent his career as a bold, vocal advocate of what is right in this world and condemning that which is not. I promise the torch Boortz is handing off to me will blaze as bright, as bold, and as loud as ever."
WSB VP/Market Manager Dan Kearney said, "There is no doubt in my mind that Neal Boortz is the best radio talk show host in America -- and arguably the best to ever be on radio. It's been a privilege for WSB to be the place he's called home for so much of his career."
Boortz will continue his daily "Boortz Blast" feature on WSB.
Click here to read the cover interview with Neal Boortz in the May 7, 2012 issue of Radio Ink (PDF).
(6/5/2012 5:44:27 AM)
I would like to wish Neal a long and happy retirement and if he has a bucket list of things he wants to do I hope he is successful in crossing them off and enjoys doing so.
I would also like to invite him to join us at www.homeexchange50plus.com to swap homes with other like minded seniors.
Brian Luckhurst
I am sorry to see Neil Boortz retire from his radio show.I personally enjoyed his perspective and unique view of the world. Neil is a first class brodcaaster and he will be missed by many! What a poor choice someone made putting Herman Caine in his place, there goes the ratings!
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