Salem Music Stations Say Goodbye

January 31, 2025

It seems surreal to many, but today all of the remaining Salem music stations signed off and said goodbye to their listeners for good.

For the Christian Radio industry the impact of these 7 stations going away is huge. It’s like a death in the family (x’s 7). Yes, Christian music continues on these stations from K-LOVE and Air1, but it won’t be the same. Business is business and sometimes it means big changes.

(Links to final day broadcasts at bottom of page)

What thoughts go through your head on days like today… sadness.. gratitude.. anger.. !

HisAir checked in with Salem station staff for this final “Broadcast Day” to get their thoughts and what they are feeling…

Kevin Avery WFSH/Atlanta – We have been honored to be on the air in Atlanta for almost 25 years. Grateful that Salem gave us the opportunity and especially thankful for all of our listeners that are truly our friends. It’s been very emotional and sad but we are hoping to continue as “The Kevin and Taylor Show” in the near future! A Pastor shared with us “Make sure your dreams and greater than your memories”. So here’s to a lot of great memories and to BIG dreams yet to come!!

Big Wave Dave KFSH/Los Angeles – When I was 12, I listened as my childhood New Hampshire Christian music station signed off the air and went Classic Rock. Later, in my professional career flipped the switch from CCM 101.1 The One in Nashville to The Beat (which continues do this day) Rare is it, a CCM station(s) is sold and they STAY Christian Music. My heart is torn today: 23 years of doing life with the So Cal 95.9 The Fish listening family comes to an end. At the same time, happy CCM continues at Midnight. Sad, so many of my friends and colleagues are now going to be on the beach, yet grateful to have done life with hundreds of thousands of Fish Family, proclaiming the transformational power of Jesus’ name. Just a mixed bag right now.

Chris Kelly KFIS/Portland – Best thing to do is surround yourself with friends and that is who we are celebrating with today.

Hannah Rose Harris KBIQ/Colorado Springs – Being part of the Q102.7 family, Mornings with Bret and Hannah for 5 years was truly the biggest blessing in my career thus far. Being around the rich community, connecting with our loyal listeners, and waking up with a coffee in hand getting to bring love to thousands of listeners for three hours every morning has brought me great joy in my life. Not to mention, Bret is an absolute legend and long lasting friend of mine. I feel honored to have been part of this legacy…because of Q102.7, I was able to step into new purpose at Life Network. How God is so good!

Mike Blakemore WFSH/Atlanta – On our final day as the Fish Atlanta, I want to thank the best listeners in the world and our world class staff for 25 amazing years serving Atlanta! I was privileged to be the Program Director for the past 17. I’ll be here until the final note is played just before midnight. A local pastor told us today that “if our memories are bigger than our dreams, then we’re dead in the water”, so we chose to dream big and trust God for our next steps in life to serve Him!

Watch the Atlanta Fish Farewell Song HERE

Mike Prendergast – KLTY/Dallas – Today has been a day of remembrance, stories and listeners. But most of all, family, because all of us at KLTY are family. This has been the hardest day in our station’s history yet we still have peace. God is good and he has a plan for each of us. 94.9 KLTY, signing off….

Michael Wilson KKFS/Sacramento – As we sign-off for the last time we have been encouraged to hear and see how God has used our station over the years. It seems appropriate for it to rain today, first time in a month, a feeling that God is crying along with us. We are happy the music will continue to be a blessing to our listeners and hope God will use all of this to draw them closer to Him.

Darla Kernell KFSH/Los Angeles As I listen to our Fish family call in and share how this station has impacted their lives on our last day, I am overwhelmed with tears of gratitude. What an honor it has been to be part of something so much bigger than ourselves—something only God could orchestrate. We’ve heard stories of lives forever changed: a man on the verge of suicide who stumbled upon our station, heard Big Wave Dave, and called in—his mind was changed, and he gave his life to the Lord. Unborn babies have been saved, marriages restored, and depression lifted. The list of miracles goes on and on, each one a testament to God’s power working through these airwaves. To our incredible team—both behind the scenes and in the spotlight—you are truly one of a kind, with hearts after God. What a privilege it has been to serve our community in the name of Jesus. As we sign off for the last time, we do so with full hearts, praying for K-LOVE and EMF Radio as they take up the torch. The Fish may be swimming into new waters, but we trust that the message of hope, love, and faith will continue. Thank you, Fish family, for the memories, the testimonies, and the lives forever changed. We love you.

Josh Booth WFHM/Cleveland – The last day was a little bit surreal. We knew it was the last but still hard to believe it was the last day. I am grateful for all the listeners who have been reaching out and sharing how much the music and all us have meant to them for the past 24 years. I truly feel we finished strong and left a legacy in Cleveland radio.