After nearly two decades, a familiar voice is leaving the airwaves. Fitz Madrid, the afternoon host on Hubbard Rock 97.9 KUPD in Phoenix, has announced his departure. For 21 years, listeners tuned in to hear Fitz, making his exit a significant change for the station.
Fitz's journey in radio began long before his time at KUPD. He brought a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as APD/afternoon host at WJBX in Fort Myers, Program Director at WKRO Daytona Beach, and held positions at KEDG Las Vegas and KWHL Anchorage. He also spent time on-air at KIOZ and XHRM in San Diego. Beyond his on-air presence, Madrid also programs multiple channels for the streaming service LiveOne, including Hard Rock, Rock Hits, and Video Game Music. This shows his deep understanding of the industry and his ability to connect with diverse audiences.
In a heartfelt post, Madrid shared his thoughts on leaving KUPD. He reflected on the joy of connecting with listeners, calling their friendship, humor, and generosity the 'real reward'. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to connect with the world through radio, stating that he always felt like an outsider and radio was a way to understand it better. He emphasized that there was no animosity in his departure and that he has no regrets. He also mentioned that he will continue to connect with his audience through social media.
But here's where it gets interesting... Fitz's experience highlights the evolving nature of the radio industry. While on-air personalities come and go, the connection with listeners often endures.
If you'd like to reach out to Fitz Madrid, you can contact him at fitz@fitzmadrid.com.
What are your thoughts? Do you think the connection between radio hosts and listeners is unique? Share your opinions in the comments!
