For many years, David “Ace” Cannon was an integral part of a popular Charlotte radio program that ended up in syndication. In September 2024, that longtime on-air personality faced a new career challenge, as The ACE & TJ Show abruptly came to an end. The program would evolve, with Ritchie “TJ” Beams teaming up with Bryan “Riggins” Weber for a show that continues to be heard today in select markets.
With Ace “no longer associated with the show,” and personal challenges, struggle came for Cannon. Now, many across the radio industry are in shock and in mourning, as Cannon has passed away at the age of 56.
Word of Cannon’s passing came via a post late Tuesday to the TJ & Riggins Show‘s Facebook page; the program is the successor offering to the former ACE & TJ Show. “Our prayers are with you brother,” the post reads. “We are devastated by the news.”
By 7:15am Wednesday, some 1,700 Faceboook users has posted their comments and thoughts over the news.
Also sharing the news on Facebook was WHQC “Hits 96.1” in Charlotte, the home of ACE & TJ from January 2012 until August 2021, when the program was dropped from the iHeartMedia station and, later, became a self-syndicated wholly owned offering.
“The iHeartMedia Charlotte family is devastated to learn of the passing of David ‘Ace’ Cannon,” the post reads. “For years, he was an important part of so many people’s lives, providing companionship and laughter to his many listeners and colleagues. Our thoughts are with Ace’s loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
Michael Breezekat Rackoff, a former Executive Producer of the wake-up program, saluted Cannon on Facebook too, noting that he “will always be one of the most important people that’s even been in my life. Everything I have today in one way or another would not be if not for him becoming part of my life.”
Fifteen-year KMXV “Mix 93.3” in Kansas City afternoon host Dave O’Brien cut his teeth in radio some 18 years ago working with “Ace,” who offered critiques and mentoring to O’Brien as a 23-year-old on-air host in Charlotte in his first full-time role. That was at WNKS “Kiss 95.1” in Charlotte, where ACE & TJ debuted on April 6, 1998, shifting to WHQC in spring 2011.
Until September, The ACE & TJ Show has been airing in afternoons in Charlotte on Beasley Media Group’s Classic Adult Contemporary WKQC “K104.7.” That on-air time period began in May 2024, as the program shifted from its second tenure at WNKS.
TJ & Riggins is in best-of mode at several stations monitored by RBR+TVBR on Wednesday morning, including WERO “Bob 93.3” in Greenville, N.C. At WKIB-FM “Mix 96.5” in Cape Girardeau, Mo., music sweeps were accompanied by pre-recorded show segments.
David “Ace” Cannon is survived by his sons Cade and Dax, sister Piper, and two ex-wives; he had noted in October 2024 he was separated from his second wife and going through a divorce. A daughter, Payton, died in 2020 automobile accident.
