After 36 Years In Mornings At KQRS Minneapolis, Tom Barnard To Retire.
Tom Barnard is a very popular American talk radio host who has recently sparked rumors about him leaving KQRD.
American talk radio personality Barnard formerly worked as a voice actor. He presently hosts the Tom Barnard Show on 105 and the KQ92 Morning Show on 92 KQRS from 5:40 to 9:55 in the morning. Both The Ticket broadcasts in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
“Hometown hero Tom Barnard has defined morning radio stardom for the better part of many Minnesotans’ lifetimes,” Cumulus Media Chief Content Officer Brian Philips said in a release. “He is the mastermind behind tens of thousands of hours of laughter, irreverence, and thought-provoking conversation. We thank Tom for the glory he has brought KQRS during his remarkable run.”
“This is the end of an era,” VP/Market Manager Shelly Malecha Wilkes added. “Tom dominated morning radio in the Twin Cities for decades. We are very appreciative of his innumerable contributions and wish him all the best in his next chapter.”
Why Is Tom Barnard Leaving KQRD? His Retirement Announcement Explored
Tom Barnard, the legendary Minneapolis radio morning man who has been with heritage rocker KQRS (92.5) for 36 years, has announced his retirement, effective at the end of the year.
Golden Valley-based classic rock station KQRS made the announcement that Tom Barnard will be leaving the organization. His farewell program is slated for December 23.
The Minneapolis native is one of the most well-known morning personalities in the industry. Barnard began his broadcasting career in 1971 and has also enjoyed a successful voiceover career. He was recognized for broadcasting excellence in 2006 with a Marconi Award for Large Market Personality of the Year.
In 2017, he was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame and in 2018 entered the Pavek Museum, honoring Minnesota Broadcasters. The National Radio Hall of Fame broadcaster (Class of 2017) will anchor with his final morning broadcast on the Cumulus Media station on Friday, December 23.
While Barnard has generally avoided interviews, WCCO’s Frank Vascellaro was able to speak with Barnard on a few occasions, including when he started a podcast and when he signed a new five-year contract in 2015. During those conversations, Barnard was open about his background and Minnesota upbringing and signed the new five-year contract.
Tom Bernard photographed at an event. ( Source : Startribune )
During his time at KQRS, Barnard isn’t without controversy. With some of his impromptu remarks made on the popular morning program, especially toward the recently naturalized Somali & Hmong groups, he has been accused of being insensitive to minorities.
2018 saw Barnard’s induction into the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Since 1986, he has spent 36 years working for the station.
Tom Barnard Wife
Tom is a happily married man. He is married to the love of his life Kathryn Brandt. Kathryn is currently a Real Estate pro with Coldwell Banker Burnet in Minneapolis at the highly successful Minneapolis Lakes office.
Kathryn is a graduate of St. Catherine in St. Paul and also received a broadcasting certificate at Brown College in Minneapolis. She worked as a producer, writer and voice over talent for Tom’s morning show back in 1986. Tom says that Kathryn is the most hilarious person he knows. He and his wife Kathryn Brandt live in Golden Valley, Minnesota, United States of America.
Where Is Tom Bernard Going Next?
While the fans have been wondering about Tom’s next steps, he has not revealed any information regarding his future plans. The radio host has kept quiet about the whole situation.
After spending about 36 years working with the same station he might take a break for himself for some time before he jumps into something new.
Regardless, Bernard will reveal his future plans to his friends and followers whenever he is ready to. For now, the radio host has been quiet regarding the whole situation.
Barnard worked at a number of stations before joining KQRS, including WDGY & KSTP (as “The Catman”). He worked as KSTP-booth TV’s announcer from 1966 through 1986.
In 1986, Mark Rosen, the sports anchor for WCCO-TV, began providing sports updates as part of Barnard and his then-partner Dan Culhane’s “Tom and Dan” program. The Barnard and Culhane combination formerly led a write-in campaign to elect Rosen as Minnesota’s governor.
Rosen was “persuaded” by the owner of WCCO TV to relocate his morning sports to WCCO-AM while Culhane was later fired from the program due to a personnel change.
Barnard is renowned for her extreme seclusion, turning down almost all requests for media interviews and seldom public appearances. But he did recently give a lengthy interview to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, during which he talked about his tense connection with his deceased father and contrasted his radio character with his true self.
