When it comes to media consultants and talent development specialists, few are as well-known and respected as Phoenix-based radio industry veteran Steve Smith. In January, he wrapped up a nearly 11-year run with Cox Media Group as VP/Programming. Then, in April, he teamed up with Tim Richards and Heidi McIvor-Allen to launch a new consultancy, dubbed the Smith Richards Collective.
His resume includes stops at the former CBS Radio, at iHeartMedia predecessor Clear Channel Communications, and at Emmis Communications, where he shifted WQHT “HOT 97” in New York from freestyle dance music to hip-hop in the early 1990s.
Now, shockingly, the U.S. radio industry is mourning the sudden death of Smith, who resided in the Phoenix area. He died July 7 of undisclosed causes and was 62 years of age.
News of Steve Smith’s untimely passing was first shared by Streamline Publishing’s co-owned Radio Ink early Monday (7/11). Smith died in his sleep on Thursday, Smith’s family shared.
Among those sharing their thoughts via social media is Audacy Corp. COO Susan Larkin, who worked with Smith during her tenure at Cox. “I am shocked and saddened at the sudden passing of our friend and colleague Steve Smith,” Larkin said. “I loved working with Steve and he was a true friend. Steve’s ‘bootcamps’ with talent, ability to convey a vision for what should come out of the ‘speakers’ and a real understanding of our audiences was unmatched. He was a unique personality that will be incredibly missed.”
A statement from Smith’s family was shared by Radio & Music Pros. It says, “Steve’s highly successful career spanned 40 years and has broken countless records, won countless awards, and has irrevocably changed the landscape of American radio for the better. Details regarding the celebration of his life will be forthcoming.”
Richards, his business partner in Smith Richards Collective, provided his own statement to Radio & Music Pros. “As I write this, I’m in absolute shock,” he said. “I can’t put into words what I’m feeling right now but, mostly, it’s numbness. We don’t know what happened, just that he went to bed and didn’t wake up.”
Rick Cummings, the longtime President of Content at Emmis Communications, also shared his thoughts to Radio & Music Pros. “Steve Smith was the Emmis Program Director who made HOT 97 the most iconic hip-hop radio brand on the planet. Steve was great with talent and brought an enthusiasm for his team and their mission that was felt by all. I will miss our discussions tremendously.”
Smith first gained nationwide attention as the Operations Manager and Director of Programming for KHQT “Hot 97.7” in San Jose, Calif., which he joined at the end of 1987. In the Spring 1988 Arbitron, Hot had already defeated crosstown KWSS, rocketing to a 6.0 share and the No. 3 spot overall. It was the first of many successes for Smith, who would replace Ron Parker as PD of KKFR “Power 92” in Phoenix in March 1990 after a short stint in Houston. Under Smith, the Valley of the Sun would come to embrace “Power 92,” making it a leader until the team employed by Jeff Smulyan called. Emmis had noticed the up-and-coming programmer.
With Tracey Cloherty as Music Director, Smith was hired as “HOT 97” PD, immediately raising the spins per week on records from 2PAC and Ice Cube while ensuring Janet Jackson, SWV and Jodeci were represented. Across town, Z100 was focused on Billy Joel, Gin Blossoms, Soul Asylum and Aerosmith as it sought to retain its audience at a fragile time for the storied Top 40 station, which was just above Hot 97 in the Spring 1993 Arbitrons. But, both Z100 and Hot 97 were trailing WPLJ, which Scott Shannon had just shifted to a more adult-oriented approach.
Smith, who replaced Joel Salkowitz, solidified Cloherty’s work in shifting WQHT from artists such as Cynthia, Giggles, George Lamond and 2 Unlimited in 1992. That success led Emmis to shift KPWR “Power 106” in Los Angeles to hip-hop, too, as the former WRKS-FM “98.7 Kiss FM,” which first gained a New York Tri-State audience in 1982 for its rap music, moved to Adult R&B under Smith’s leadership.
In 2001, Smith would exit Emmis and take a position at AMFM Inc., also an iHeartMedia predecessor company. Jhani Kaye, who worked with Smith while at KOST/Los Angeles, told Radio & Music Pros, “Steve was the absolute best part of AMFM and Clear Channel. He was always supportive and had a unique way of making things easier… and a whole lot more fun. An incredible broadcaster who will be missed by all the good people in radio.”
He’d later become SVP/Programming at Clear Channel, before being named VP/Radio Programming for CBS Radio in New York.
Steve Smith is survived by his son, Josh, and his fiancée, Mina Farahmandi.
