Bob Kingsley Steps Away From Country Top 40 Hosting Duties Due To Cancer Battle
Bob Kingsley. Photo: Provided by Westwood One
Legendary country radio personality Bob Kingsley, host of Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 radio countdown, is stepping away from the mic temporarily, after revealing he is battling bladder cancer.
According to a recent Facebook post from Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40, Kingsley says he is working with the Country Top 40 team and KCCS Productions, as well as Westwood One, to determine a temporary plan as Kingsley focuses on his treatment.
I have always prided myself in delivering the truth to you—my friends in the Country music industry, my fellow radio broadcasters, and all of the loyal listeners around the world—and today, well, today the truth does not come in the form of a story behind the song, or anything else, but in the reality of what is going on with yours truly. I want to let you know that I have been diagnosed with bladder cancer. While there is no doubt that the immediate road ahead will push me and challenge my resolve, I want you to know I am blessed to be working with the very best in the medical profession, and they have a plan to deal with this awful disease. The faith you have placed in me is something I treasure, and that support has allowed me to do what I love in this wonderful industry for 60 years. I have no intention of stopping anytime soon, but for a moment, I need to ask for your patience as I step away from the mic and focus on my treatment. Those of you who know me personally, know I would not be here today, and could not continue in this moment without my beautiful bride of 30 years, Nan. Her strength is unmatched, and she is by my side every step of the way. My amazing team at the Country Top 40 and KCCS Productions, and our extended family at Westwood One, will be following up very soon with our temporary plan. And I do have to say, we are very far down the road on a concept we have been working on for a while in conjunction with this year’s CMA Awards—one that I thought I would get to be a part of over the next several weeks. That, however, is not going to be possible, but I am looking forward to hearing it from the other side of the speakers. You know friends, I’ve made a career out of #1s, and right now my #1 goal is getting back on the air to create more memories we’ll all be able to share, surrounded by the music we all love. I thank you in advance for the prayers and well wishes…they mean more to me than you could ever know.
Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 also announced this morning they are partnering with the CMA to spotlight female voices in the format, each week seeing a hit-making female artist take a turn behind Kingsley’s mic–with confirmed artists including Trisha Yearwood, Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman, Martina McBride and more.
Beginning the weekend of Oct. 12-13 and running through the weekend of Nov. 30-Dec. 1, Kingsley will turn over the mic to country music’s most impactful female artists as the powerhouse women help countdown the week’s top 40 biggest hits. Throughout each episode, each guest artist will play their big hits, songs from their new albums, their favorite songs either performed or written by females, and each week’s Milestone segment will spotlight CMA Female Vocalist nominees and winners through the years.
Kingsley is a member of the Country Radio Hall of Fame, and in 2016 was inducted to the National Radio Hall of Fame.
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