The fallen radio angel’s big impact

The radio broadcasting industry lost a true icon on July 27, 2013.

David Peter Cradick, formally known on radio airwaves all across the world as “Kidd Kraddick,” was participating in a golf tournament created to raise money for his charity, “Kidd’s Kids.” Upon arrival at Timberlane Country Club in New Orleans, Richie Tomblin, a worker with the country club, said Kraddick did not look well when exchanging greetings, as he then left with golf clubs to practice on the course. Soon afterward, Kraddick collapsed while being rushed by ambulance to the hospital. Resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.

In a statement released later that night by Kraddick’s publicist Ladd Biro, he stated “He died doing what he loved and his final day was spent selflessly focused on those special children that meant the world to him.”

Three days later, news broke that Kraddick died from an enlarged heart, with three arteries being 40-80 percent blocked, as well as an irregular heartbeat.

Even though Kraddick was unable to see the great results of the golf tournament, he would have been ecstatic to know the tournament raised over $18,000 towards his charity, “Kidd’s Kids”, which sends chronically ill and physically challenged children (and their families) to Walt Disney World for a week of fun, getting their minds off of hospitals and doctor visits.

Kidd Kraddick is and always will be a major influence in my career path of broadcast journalism, not just because he enjoyed waking up at 4 a.m. to drive to his suburban Dallas radio station and make listeners across the world laugh every morning, but rather his ability to take his chosen career path and make a positive difference in the world around him.

Listeners knew him as the man who liked to crack jokes about his cast mates Kellie Rasberry, Jenna Owens, J-Si Chavez, Big Al Mack and Psycho Shanon. That said, he also knew when to be serious, making his show unique. He gave listeners a glance of the Disney World trip, depicting the experience through the kid’s perspective.

Kraddick had a goal to make a difference in the lives of as many as 50 children a year. He went to all extremes to make it happen, year after year. Whether it came to concerts or golf tournaments, Kraddick knew that numerous fundraisers were a must.

Kraddick truly enjoyed his job in the radio industry, wanting to make it better for his listeners. That is my goal as a broadcast journalist: to make people’s days brighter, to showcase stories and to help the community. I know I won’t be able to do what Kraddick did on a national stage, but I will make a difference as a journalist.

I hope Kidd’s Kids will continue to thrive for years to come, because Kraddick will be watching all of the smiles of the children affected by this 20 plus year old charity. Countless children that are facing a lifetime of illness and hospital visits will forever be grateful for the life-changing trip that was started by one radio disk jockey.

The radio world will never be the same. I am thankful for his presence in my life, even if it was only for a short time.