43 years later: Local radio veteran announces retirement

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The voice of news radio in Chattanooga for over 35 years, radio veteran Kevin West said it’s time for him to hang up his headphones and put away his mic. 

Since 18 years old and starting out his career at the University of Michigan, Kevin always wanted to be a “disco jockey.”

West moved to Chattanooga in 1987.

West said sharing news through the radio is one of the best things that has happened to him. 

“It’s the best job you could ever imagine a ring side seat to life,” said Kevin West, Program Director of WGOW Station Talk 102.3 and News Radio 1150. “Everything that happens in  your community you are apart of one way shape or form.”

Spending 43 years on the air waves has allowed West to prepare the way for a new generation to step up. 

“It is time to let a new generation take the reins and take the radio station to new heights,” West said. “It is time for me to kind of spread my wings and fly in a different direction.”

Now that Kevin is officially retiring from radio, he hopes the greatest lesson he taught that will stick forever is friendship. 

“We leave a legacy of incredible success, incredible community involvement at Talk 102.3 and whomever picks up the reins and takes it for a ride I think they going to find it has heritage, it has legacy and it has a very loyal following that will continue,” West concluded.