Tom Barnard has given an early Christmas gift to his radio competitors: his last appearance on the KQ Morning Show will be Dec. 23.
Barnard made the announcement Thursday morning, June 30, after more than 36 years at Classic Rock mainstay KQRS/92.5. Though the station’s subsequent social media announcement and Cumulus Media news release termed the move “retiring,” Barnard later disputed the use of the word on his podcast.
“I’m leaving but I’m not retiring,” Barnard explained, saying he had asked the station not to call it a retirement.
Barnard’s morning show has dominated Twin Cities morning radio for decades. Minneapolis was one of the few markets where Howard Stern’s syndicated morning show failed to rise to the top of the ratings.
Besides the podcast, Barnard is also a well-known voiceover artist. Before KQ, his radio career included work at legendary Minneapolis Top 40 outlet WDGY/1130 in the 1970s.
After 36 amazing years Tom Barnard will be retiring from KQRS. Join us as we celebrate Tom throughout the rest of the year until his final Morning Show on December 23rd.
— 92 KQRS (@KQRadio) June 30, 2022
You’re the best in the business, Tom. We wish you all the best in your next chapter! pic.twitter.com/Z9kkzRTHtn
Other current KQ Morning Show hosts include Brian Zepp, Tony Lee, and Candice Wheeler.