Well, it’s down to the final two mornings.

Look at this kid… fresh out of Drake…first time ever sitting in a chair in the Star 102.5 Studio. He had no idea that he would be fortunate and blessed enough to spend the next 24 years of his life living his dream.

He would say…ditch the necklace…but keep the hair….and yes…that’s the “Scuplture Park” outside the windows…but at the time, it was run-down buildings and concrete.

I have so many wonderful people to thank for making my time at Star 102.5 such a dream.

These are in no particular order…they’re just coming to me by as all these emotions cloud my brain.

Thank you to my awesome wife, Jennifer, my son Dexter, and my daughter Priscilla.  Jennifer has done the morning routine at home for 13 years and counting, and I know she’s not sad about passing that baton on to me.  She’s had to put with “too tired Kurt” when she wants to go do something in the evening…and then she has to put up with “We have to do everything before 7am while on vacation” Kurt as well.  There’s never an in-between, ha ha. She’s always offered support and strength when I needed that extra oomph to get motivated, and I appreciate her so very much, and love her even more.

To my kids…I know you’re both not going to be too bummed about me airing your dirty laundry on the air as you hit your transformative years, ha ha.  Dexter is totally chill about all this…he’s just a chill dude…as long as my new job doesn’t interfere with video game playing, he’s fine.  Priscilla might be a little bit of a different story…you’ve seen her on the Facebook videos…she really enjoys so much of this.  She and her friend Makenzie were at an Iowa Cubs game last summer, and when we circled back together a few innings later, Makenzie was amazed that a listener came up to Priscilla to say how a big of fan they were of hers. I know Priscilla tried to play it cool, but inside, she was bursting.  To be honest, my career shift only affects Priscilla because she’s lost her summer Uber/Butler/Personal Shopper lol.

To my parents…thank you….thank you for letting me stay in Des Moines, even though I was holding a radio job that was making me no $$.  I know that wasn’t your plan you had envisioned for me after graduation, but I can’t thank you enough for letting me keep pursuing my dream.  If you hear the segment with my mom & dad from the show this week, you’ll hear my dad sum it up in much more eloquent terms…and then also hear my mom share a story that I had never heard before.

I’ve talked with so many fellow radio personalities who tell me that they’ve had to move well over half a dozen times in their radio career. That sounds terrible. I’m glad I had the privilege of being part of two incredible morning shows in one city…and a great city at that.  This isn’t like I’m working in What Cheer for 24 years…and no offense to the fine folks of What Cheer, but you name your town that, I’m going to always make fun of it….but I got to work in Des Moines.  That’s been pretty phenomenal.

Two great shows.

Ken, Colleen, & Kurt…and Ken, Kurt & Tawinee.

Two shows that made a lasting impression here in Des Moines. When Colleen left…we were at her going away party…and Colleen looked at Ken and I and said “We were a great show…and we did some great things here”.  She was right…and it was an honor to be part of it.

I will say the same thing tomorrow to Ken and Tawinee….”We were a great show…and we did some great things here”.  I’m excited to listen to the show as a listener on my way to work in the morning.

Thank you Ken. Thank you for always being there for me….as a friend, as a big brother as times, and as a leader for two great shows. Thank you for turning on my microphone…thank you for taking that chance on me…I’m going to miss you.  I’ve got to work with my best friend for 24 years…and Monday, I won’t. Love ya buddy.

To Colleen and Tawinee…two the finest friends I’ve ever had. Thank you for always making the mornings fun and unpredictable….Colleen, we can now have business lunches together…and Tawinee, you are destined for excellence!

Thank you to Jimmy, Karess, and Kate….it was a pleasure to be part of this Star 102.5 team that has been so solid and steadfast over the years.  It’s absolutely incredible how long this team together. I appreciate all the times we got to share in staff meetings, events, concerts…everything.

Thank you to Stephanie, Leigh, and the entire management team at the Des Moines Media Group and Saga Communications. Thank you for letting me live this dream.

Thank you Cassie, Henry, and LeeAnn. You three are the ones that have to deal with my demands the most…and answer them all the time.

Thank you Mal the Sports Gal…I can’t wait for our weekly text battles about Packers/Bears superiority.  The answer is Packers by the way.  Spoiler: Mal & I’s text chains are filled with more profanity than you could imagine, lol.

(And how do we not have a photo of us together)

Thank you Grae Drake….for being awesome. Two trips to Hollywood…two visits with Grae Drake…next time, the family demand we meet your husband Steve too! (note: if you ever go to Hollywood…take the Grae Drake Hollywood Tour…you get to see her post office)!

Thank you to the Iowa State Fair, East Village Spa, The District at Prairie Trail, Adventureland, Brooks Reynolds and the Blue Ribbon Bacon Gang, the Iowa Cubs, Drake, the Events Center, and so many more awesome teams in this city that allowed me to live one-of-kind experiences.

Side note: Thank you to Star 102.5 for sending me to see Iowa in the Rose Bowl. Despite the score…that was awesome.

And thank you to you, our awesome Star 102.5 listeners…some of you I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many times over…and some of you, I only know you by the voice on the phone.

Collin in Waukee, Matt in Ankeny, Tamara in Polk City, Mike in Pleasant Hill, Mike in Bondurant, Teresa in Des Moines, Julie in Perry, Kim and Eden in Granger….thank you.

I’m almost humbled that some of you asked me to officiate your weddings…Rob & Amanda…on St. Patty’s Day…that was epic. Rob & Amanda would bring us Christmas gifts each year…and they were always on point. Rob…I will see you at many a metal shows my friend.

Thank you to all of you. It has meant so much to me that you allowed me to be a part of your mornings…thank you for allowing me to live my dream of being “famous”. I always loved that idea…and when I was recognized in stores…bars…or even in Ft. Myers Beach…I loved it.

You are incredible…and I’m sorry if I ever had to say you were caller #9 and hang up on you.

Every Star 102.5 listener has a part of my heart, and I am forever grateful for this opportunity.

So much love to all of you.