Steve Smith
All of us at Deane Media Solutions sends our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of veteran radio programmer and consultant Steve Smith, who passed away last week at the age of 62. A statement from his family reads, “The industry is mourning the devastating loss of veteran programmer and broadcast executive Steve Smith. Steve unexpectedly passed away peacefully at home, in his sleep, on July 7th, 2022. Steve’s highly successful career spanned 40 years and has broken countless records, won countless awards, and has irrevocably changed the landscape of American radio for the better. Details regarding the celebration of his life will be forthcoming.”
Just this past April, Smith and Tim Richards launched a new business together, the Smith Richards Collective. Throughout his career, Smith spent time as heading up programing at Clear Channel/iHeartMedia, Radio One, Cox Media Group, and a storied run at Emmis while overseeing WQHT (Hot 97) & WRKS/New York and KPWR (Power 106)/Los Angeles. He also worked to develop a wide range of well-known personalities, including Ryan Seacrest, Johnjay & Rich, the Brooke & Jubal Show, and Ricky Smiley, just to name a few.
Richards paid tribute to Smith on his facebook page with a post, as have so many others. “Steve was (that’s so hard to type) an incredible man. He was a radio innovator and one of the kindest and most creative programmers I’ve ever learned from. Most of all, he was a great person. I’m so blessed to have known him and the world will definitely be a different place without his presence. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers as we process this unthinkable news.”
