Ex-Atlanta Country Radio Host ‘Moby’ Loses Cancer Battle

He retired in 2016, concluding a career that saw his Moby in the Morning attract Country music fans at what was known as “Kicks 101.5” in Atlanta, and on other stations via syndication over a five-year period.

Now, many are mourning the death of James “Moby” Carney, who has lost his battle with stage 4 stomach cancer.

According to Cox Media Group’s WSB Radio and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Carney, who was 69, had been bedridden for several weeks until being moved to a rehabilitation facility within the last 10 days. This news came from a friend and former radio host, Steve Mitchell.

As “Moby,” Atlanta radio listeners knew him not only for his time at “Kicks”, where he worked from the early 1990s through 2002, but at crosstown WZGC. That latter stint ultimately proved unsuccessful. But, it led “Moby” to self-syndicate, starting in 2004.

In June 2009, Radio Affiliate Services & Syndication (RASS), led by Scott Gilbreath, added Moby in the Morning to its roster of programs. At the time, he told RBR+TVBR, “Moby’s a great talent and has proven himself time and time again over the past 25 years at [Rock] stations in Houston, Dallas, Nashville and Atlanta and on stations coast-to-coast when his Atlanta-based morning Show was syndicated by ABC Networks.  Moby understands the importance of connecting one on one with his audience and entertaining the whole family, Moby is an exceptional talent who consistently delivers ratings, revenue and listener loyalty for his show.  Moby makes you laugh and sometimes cry.  It’s about love of family and country, its sincere and a little silly.”

That syndication effort put Moby in the Morning on WTSH-FM in Rome, Ga., branded as “South 107,” in 2007. A dust-up over uttering the words “God damn” in 2012 led to a suspension. But, he would still be heard on WNGC-FM in Athens, Ga., and 7 other stations in six states.

In 2011, Moby was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame.