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Legendary Programmer Dan Kieley Passes Away
April 10, 2006 at 2:28 PM (PT)
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Everyone at ALL ACCESS is deeply saddened to report the passing of legendary programmer DAN KIELEY of a sudden cardiac arrest on SUNDAY (4/9) while at his home in DALLAS with his son JOE, watching the MASTERS TOURNAMENT. KIELEY, only 51, was currently partners in SNAFU CONSULTING with GARRY LEIGH and JOE KIELEY.
During his amazing radio career, KIELEY had been VP/Programming at CLEAR CHANNEL Top 40 KIIS-FM (102.7 KISS-FM)/LOS ANGELES doubling the 12+ from 2.8 to 5.6 during his tenure, and was the dominant 12+ English speaking staiton in the market for eight quarters in a row.
KIELEY had also programmed KRBV/DALLAS, KDWB/MINNEAPOLIS, WLUM/MILWAUKEE, KQKQ/OMAHA, Group Programmer INGSTAD BROADCASTING/SIOUX FALLS, GRAND FORKS, LA CROSS, and Marketing Director at WBBM-F (B96)/CHICAGO.
Dan Kieley Memorial Scholarship Fund Established
Today, KIIS-FM afternoon personality VALENTINE read a tribute to DAN. To hear it, just click here.
ALL ACCESS President/Publisher JOEL DENVER said,"DAN was my good friend for nearly 30 years. His positive influence on his co-workers and friends, as well as the passion he had for radio programming and the music itself will live on in those who've had the pleasure of working with DAN and knowing him. We will miss you DAN."
CONCLAVE Exec. Dir TOM KAY noted, "There is and will be only one DAN KIELEY. KIELS was the ultimate programmer. As a true visionary, his passion, intellect and creativity took a back seat to no one in the industry. He was also the ultimate teacher. The hard lessons and subtle nuances of successful radio communication he imparted through the years live on daily in the work of hundreds of professionals he tutored as a PD and friend.
To that end, the CONCLAVE is proud to be a part of DAN’s legacy by creating the DAN KIELEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND (details are found below). It is also our intention to appropriately memorialize him as a part of the agenda of the CONCLAVE LEARNING CONFERENCE this summer. People like DAN come around only once in a lifetime. We thank GOD that he came around in ours."
RCA/J/ARISTA Exec. VP RICHARD PALMESE commented, "DAN was a friend to many of us and he will missed. He was 'always' a champion for the new artist. New music excited him and he couldn't wait to turn it on. DAN was a good man with a big heart that gave as much as it could and just couldn't give any more. Rest in peace, DAN, and know that we will always remember you. GOD embraces you today."
KSLZ PD TOMMY AUSTIN said, "Those who didn’t know DAN will truly never know what a blow to the industry his passing is. His product brilliance combined with his impeccable people skills left a permanent mark on this business. My emotion goes from deep sadness to warm smiles and laughter when remembering his one of a kind sense of humor that he brought with him wherever he went. DAN was not only my mentor, but a father to me as well."
Former KDWB VP/GM MARC KALMAN, now VP/GM at the crosstown ABC/DISNEY cluster, remarked, "DAN was one of the nicest and most talented people I have ever known. DAN was very much about people…he loved life, loved people and lived his life to the fullest. Above all, he loved JOE and that was seen in everything he did. We will all miss his presence in our lives but always keep him in our memories and prayers. Thanks DAN, for being a part of my life!"
KDWB PD ROB MORRIS noted, "'KIELS' ... `DK-LA' ... was an incredbly passionate, legendary programmer. Dan's radio stations always dominated the market and made competitors take notice. He made many many many friends in this business and in life ... and he left us way, way to soon. DAN will be missed. My heart goes out to his family ... especially his son JOE. Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us."
CBS Top 40 WNKS (KISS 95.1) & AC WKQC (K104.7)/CHARLOTTE OM/PD JOHN REYNOLDS, commented, "DAN was one of the true visionary programmers of our time. I knew DAN and he was a major influence in my life and career. His knowledge and many of the things I do are based on DAN's vision and what I learned from him. I worked with DAN at KDWZ/DES MOINES and at WLUM/MILWAUKEE and he's been a lifelong friend in this business who I could always call and get advice and help."
Funeral arrangements are set. The memorial service will be at 2p on THURSDAY (4/13) in LOVES PARK, IL at GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH. There will be a dinner immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, folk are requested to make a contribution to the new DAN KIELEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND, with proceeds from that fund to benefit an as-yet unidentified student in need. Send contributions via check to THE CONCLAVE, 4517 Minnetonka Blvd. #104, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55416. Please note on the check that it's for the DAN KIELEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND.
DAN is survived by his son JOE, sister JO ANN, brother PETE, business partner GARRY, his estranged wife JACQUE, and many, many, many friends.
Reach GARRY at garry@snafuconsulting.com or at the office at (214) 358-0564 or on cell at (214) 564-0402, and reach JOE at joe@snafuconsulting.com or on cell at (214) 336-0698.

