Syndicated radio host Kidd Kraddick dies

David "Kidd" Kraddick, whose
morning radio show aired in nearly
100 cities, has died. He was 53.
He died Saturday in New Orleans at a
golf tournament to raise money for
his Kidd's Kids Charity, his
management company said.
What killed Kraddick was not
immediately known.
"At the appropriate time, we will
release more information about the
cause of death," said Ladd Biro with
Champion Management.
"He died doing what he loved, and his
final day was spent selflessly focused
on those special children that meant
the world to him."
Kraddick is the face behind the
nationally successful "Kidd Kraddick In
The Morning" show.
He has been named America's Best
Radio Personality'; Radio and Records
Major Market Personality of the Year;
and he won the prestigious Marconi
Award for Radio Personality of the
Year.
Kruddick said his career as a disc
jockey began in high school.
"We sponsored a big dance for the
seniors but didn't have enough
money to hire a DJ. So I snuck out my
dad's stereo and did it myself," he
said.
The name "Kidd" wouldn't come for
several years though.
He began his career in Miami. And as
is common with radio personalities,
he bounced around.
Stints in Salt Lake City, Los Angeles
and Tampa followed.
It was in Tampa that a program
director gave him the name "Kidd." It
stuck.
His career really took off after he
moved to Dallas when his morning
drive time show went into syndication.
Last week, Kraddick did a humorous
segment on what he'd say to his co-
hosts in his "final moments on Earth."
"When I die, you have permission to
take a bunch of creepy pictures of my
body," Kraddick said. "I want to thank
all of you guys for being at my
deathbed today. I'm going to miss you
so much."
Saturday's golf tournament was for
his non-profit Kidd's Kids Charity,
which raises money annually to send
children with chronic and terminal
illnesses -- and their families -- to
spend five days at Walt Disney World.
"RIP Kidd Kraddick. You were an
amazing man and a friend. You are
already missed," tweeted
entrepreneur and Dallas Mavericks
owner Mark Cuban.
CNN.com readers also shared their
memories.
"Such a great guy. I've listened to the
show for years," commented Johnny
MacNary. "He was always raising
money for Kidd's Kids and giving
things away. He really had a heart of
gold. Mornings in Texas will never be
the same. My thoughts are with his
family, friends and colleagues tonight.
He really made the world a better
place."