Jim Kerr Extends Run At ‘Q104.3’ With New Five-Year Deal.

iHeartMedia is extending the run of one of New York radio’s most recognizable voices. The company announced that “Q104.3” WAXQ has signed legendary morning personality Jim Kerr to a five-year contract extension, keeping the Radio Hall of Famer in place into the next decade.

Kerr joined “Q104.3” in January 2002 and has spent the past 23 years anchoring mornings at the classic rock outlet. His career in the nation’s largest market spans more than five decades, making him the longest-running morning radio personality in New York City history. Over that time, he has built a reputation for his distinctive voice, longevity and connection with listeners, while also serving as host of the long-running iHeartRadio “Icon” series, where he sits down with legendary artists for in-depth interviews.

“Jim Kerr and I were young radio guys together in the 1970s, and we’ve been friends ever since; today, Jim is legendary as the longest-running morning radio personality in New York City history,” says Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia. “We’re pleased and proud that he is staying with us at Q104.3, extending his deep bond with his audience as an iconic voice of New York City. Jim has made an indelible impact on this city, on our industry, and in the lives of Q104.3 listeners as a trusted voice and friend to millions of New Yorkers for almost 52 years, and we’re delighted that he’ll continue to call iHeart and Q104.3 home.”

Thea Mitchem, EVP of Programming for iHeartMedia, says Kerr’s consistency and passion have made him a fixture for generations of New Yorkers. “Jim Kerr is synonymous with New York radio. His passion, his connection with listeners, and his unwavering commitment to excellence make him a true icon,” Mitchem says. “We’re proud to continue this incredible partnership and excited for what the next five years will bring to Q104.3 and to New Yorkers who wake up with Jim every morning.”

Before arriving at “Q104.3,” Kerr spent 15 years at WPLJ-FM, where he became New York’s youngest morning show host at age 21. His career has also included stops at WDAI-FM and WLS-AM in Chicago, WKNR-AM in Detroit and WORJ-FM in Orlando. Kerr’s introduction to radio came during a second-grade field trip to WWJ-AM in Detroit, and he began working on-air at age 14 in Ypsilanti, MI. He has been on the air continuously ever since.

He has spent the majority of his New York City morning radio career with co-host Shelli Sonstein, who officially retired in January after being on leave from the station following her daughter’s death.

“I’m so very lucky, my entire adult life, I’ve been able to do what I dreamt about doing as a little kid listening to the radio on top of the refrigerator before school,” Kerr says. “I decided then that I wanted to be that man on the radio in the morning. So every day, I get up, I come to work, and I spend time with my friends — most importantly, the friends who are in their cars, or their trucks, or an Uber, or a taxi, or at the gym, or at their workplace, or at home in the kitchen, like I was.”

He adds that a quote he gave to Newsday in 1975 still rings true today: “People think I’m crazy, but I really believe I have half a million friends. I still believe that. Every morning, I feel fortunate to do something that I love, with all of my friends.”

Outside the studio, Kerr has remained active in civic and charitable work. He is a 40-year board member of HeartShare Human Services of New York, serves on the board of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and is a Vice President of SAG-AFTRA.

In honor of 50 years waking up New York City, Inside Radio caught up with Kerr to revisit his historic legacy. Read the interview HERE.