I woke up this morning to some shocking news: Jim Reitz,who was known to many as JR on Fun 107, has passed away.
To say I was shocked would be the proverbial understatement.
He had just started as the morning man at WPLM Easy 99.1 last Monday. I was happy for him because he was back in his element, morning radio.
Morning men (and women) are a strange breed. The hours are horrible and we miss many nightime events but there’s nothing like being in that studio and helping people to start their day. Those hours that are spent on the air are the best hours of our day, especially when you make a connection with your listeners. JR had that.
I worked down the hall from him for many years. We had a good natured competition and for a time, either his show or my show was #1 and the other #2. We took it lightly because we knew each station had its own audience.
As I said last week, we went through quite a few snowstorms and hurricane threats. We could have tried to beat each other with having the information first but we always shared, making sure the other guy had it too. I can’t even count the number of “Breaking News” stories we dealt with.
He had a few different partners over the years, I did too, but the constant was always JR.
He was a workaholic during those years. He would get to the station around 5am and not leave until almost 5pm. I sometimes felt guilty leaving after only an 8 or 9 hour day.
He worked on many fundraisers over the years, did plenty of car dealer remotes and trips to Universal and cruises. He hosted Monster Mash at Halloween time, a party that didn’t start until around 9pm and he had been awake since 3:45am.
He mentored countless young people and helped many more to make it in the radio business.
We had countless meetings in his office as he was the Program Director for Fun 107 and I was doing the same at WBSM. We worked on budgets and strategies for the upcoming ratings period. We worked for a few different owners and a few more different managers. Every one of them had their own way of doing things and it seemed like there was always a “better way.”
I had lunch with him this past summer. He seemed to be doing okay and we did some reminiscing. At the time he was just trying to make ends meet while working only part time on the radio. That’s why I was so happy when he got hired for mornings at WPLM.
There’s a song I like by Thomas Rhett called “Life Changes.” It has a line that I’ve discovered is so true:
“You make your plans then you hear God laughing. Life Changes.”
Rest easy my friend.
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