RICH KELLY

[bigdan]

I am surprized there wasn't some sort of notice already posted. RICH KELLY...weekend personality & host of KEZA's "Boogie Oogie Oogie" Show on Saturday nights has died (by his own hand). Rich was suffering huge depression from a recent marital breakup. He leaves me with fond memories working at K106/POWER 105.7 in Fayetteville and playing on our POWER 105.7 Basketball Team. He loved radio - although never was able to do it full time ON AIR...he would do anything. Rich was a BIG RADIO GEEK (just like me.) We weren't as close as we should have been. He once gave me a satchel FULL of CRAIG O'NEAL jokes & prep sheets nearly 20 years ago - He thought I could use them - I did and I still do - I have fond memories of Richard Higdon (Rich Kelly). PEACE MY FRIEND.

 

[itskramer]

what a sad thing to hear about...rich and i would hang out and he would tell me good stories of radio in the 80's and fill in the holes in my memories of radio as i grew up in little rock..and when i was doing nights at clear channel fayetteville he would pop in the studio and say the PERFECT thing or help me find the perfect sfx or music bed...hell he helped me produce a bit that was on a demo that got me a job in a different market...a big man with a giant heart...rest in peace rich

 

[deputydogc17]

i hadn't seen or even talked to rich for several years...since i left the fville market. but i remember him as always helpful...even if you worked for the competition....his friends were his friends. always funny...even wehen he was in a bad mood...thats prolly when he was funniest. his knowledge of radio....the music...what would work...what sounded good...and from a programming standpoint...what was RELEVANT....rich knew it. he was in touch with his audience. down to earth...humble...just a good guy.

will be praying for his girls...for comfort.

 

[radioandre]

I just so happened to check this board and to find this out is very, very, very sad. I remember when I was working at Hot Mix and trolled around the studios on the weekend with and without Kramer and I would sit and talk to Rich in front of the building on Frontage. We first met back in '02 He was always such a nice guy that LOVED radio. Not loved it at one time and became bitter because times changed, he loved it for what it was, is, and even what it would/will turn into; not because he agreed, but because he had this determination of entertaining his friends no matter what happened behind the scenes. My heart goes out to his family and it's just so devastating to lose one of our own to such disease. I'm not living in the area anymore but there's such a small community of broadcasters that it only makes sense to help each other through the perils and struggles that so many of us deal with. Something like this drives home the importance of honor amongst thieves in this business. Thanks Big Dan for sharing this information and I hope you're doing well and I miss you and our debates on radio philosophy! and kramer....you're still ugly! God Bless and here's to a spin of Stephanie Mills - Love Like This over a dewar's neat. Farewell Rich.

 

[BethP]

Hello everyone, I'm one of Rich's siblings - one of three sisters and a brother. I came across your posts here and just wanted to say thank you for your wonderful comments about him. You're all so right about him - he was a huge radio geek and had a heart of gold. Richard (as we called him, though we used his childhood nickname of "Dickie Bird" when we'd need a good laugh) is going to be sorely missed.

 

[radioaircheck]

Beth P. Prayers to you and your family. I enjoyed listening to Rich on Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons after Church. He will be missed.