Craig Russell

The MAB is sad to pass along the news that former Michigan radio air talent and programmer Craig Russell passed away unexpectedly on July 30 in Fort Dodge, Iowa.  For the past four years, Russell had been the Program Director and afternoon host at KHBT in nearby Humboldt.

Russell spent most of his career in radio here in Michigan, working at stations such as WKPK-FM (Gaylord), WFCX/WFDX-FM (Traverse City), WFGR-FM (Grand Rapids), WKHM-FM (Jackson), WUPS-FM (Houghton Lake) and WHMI-FM (Howell).  He also held positions in his long career in Rapid City, South Dakota.

He attended Central Michigan University.

Writing on the KHBT website, co-worker Matt Scher expressed his feelings about working with Russell:

A native of Portage, Michigan, Craig dedicated 36 years of his life to broadcasting. As Program Director and host of The Afternoon Hustle, he became one of the defining voices of 97.7 The Bolt. He made an immeasurable impact on our station, our staff, and our listeners. He was a calm, welcoming voice on the air, a trusted friend behind the scenes, and a mentor whose passion for radio and willingness to share his knowledge made everyone around him better.

Weekdays from 2 until 6 p.m., Craig welcomed listeners on The Afternoon Hustle, helping them through the workday and the drive home with great music, conversation, and his unmistakable personality. Every Friday at 3 p.m., he kicked off the weekend with Ride Friday, a tradition that many listeners looked forward to each week.

Away from the microphone, Craig was a passionate sports fan, a proud lover of pizza, and someone who enjoyed sharing what he loved with everyone around him. He never hid his loyalty to the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bears, Chicago Blackhawks, and Columbus Blue Jackets, while always cheering from afar for his hometown Kalamazoo Wings. His enthusiasm, sense of humor, and genuine personality made him someone people naturally gravitated toward.

To those of us who worked alongside him, Craig was much more than a broadcaster. He was a friend, a mentor, and someone whose love for local radio never faded. His kindness, professionalism, and dedication left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

A gofundme page has been set up for Craig's family to help with expenses and immediate living needs: https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-craig-russells-legacy-and-supporting-his-kids?