Radio Legend ‘Kidd Kraddick’ Dies

David ‘Kidd’ Kraddick, host of the syndicated morning radio show, ‘Kidd Kraddick in the Morning’ tragically passed away Saturday afternoon. He died suddenly and unexpectedly at a charity golf event in New Orleans.

Reports say that the 53-year-old radio host died of a brain aneurysm, although that has not been confirmed. His morning radio show first got syndication back in 2001 and took off from there. Kidd Kraddick in the Morning changed morning radio and was heard all over the country. Kidd Kraddick used his success to help others, most notably with his charity, ‘Kidd’s kids.’

The charity helps chronically ill and disabled children and their families. Every year the show would have their annual, ‘Kidd’s Kids Trip’ where they would take the children to an all expense paid trip to Disney World. The trip brought so much joy to the kids, helping them to forget about their illness for just a short amount of time.

Kidd Kraddick was also a great interviewer and he became friends with almost every celebrity he would have on his show. Several celebrities have shared their thoughts on his death on Twitter, ranging from the boys in One Direction to Bon Jovi. It was clear that everyone Kidd met became an instant friend for life.

Kellie Rasberry, a longtime friend of Kidd’s and a cast member on the show wrote a long Facebook post about his death,

“My heart is broken. Nineteen years ago, Kidd Kraddick swept me up from the middle of nowhere and took me on as his on-air wife. It will always be the biggest honor of my life. This man is responsible for every good thing that has ever happened to me.”

You can read the full post by clicking here.

Personally, I would like to say a few words about Kidd. It’s not often that a celebrity’s death like this hits me this hard. I’ve reported on celebrity deaths before, but it feels different when you have a connection with the person. Kidd’s show has been on every morning in my area for so many years. I grew up listening to his voice every morning on the way to school.

I was such a big fan of the show. I’d regularly e-mail all the cast members, join in on their live chats and interact with fellow fans of the show. I never got the chance to meet Kidd face to face, but I did talk with him a few times before. He always just seemed like an incredibly nice and real human being. You don’t find too many people like that anymore, especially not in the entertainment business. He has done so much for people all around the country and he will be greatly missed.

If today’s articles seem even crappier than usual, please forgiver me. Today is a struggle for anyone who had a connection to this great man.

I’ll end this with Kidd’s signature sign off,

“Keep looking up, ‘cause that’s where it all is.”