Conservative talk radio host Neal Boortz is retiring after four decades at the microphone and being replaced by former GOP presidential hopeful Herman Cain.
Boortz said his last day hosting The Neal Boortz Show, which airs on more than 200 radio stations with six million weekly listeners, will be January 18, 2013.
The 67-year-old Boortz said he is in good health and plans to enjoy retirement by traveling with his wife. They plan to spend eight months on the road after his retirement.
Boortz’s show is syndicated across the country through Atlanta’s WSB radio. His show draws about 6 million listeners on 230 radio stations.
He said his show has been “an absolute joy.”
Cain, an Atlanta businessman and radio show host, dropped out of the presidential race in December amid allegations of sexual improprieties, which he denied.
“It’s time for me and my wife, Donna, to hit the road and travel in ways that we have not been able to through most of our 42 years together,” said Boortz – also known as “The Talkmaster” and “The High Priest of the Church of the Painful Truth.”
“As my listeners know, we love traveling, and the restraints created by my daily radio show commitment have kept us on a rather short leash. At present, our post-show travel plans extend through most of 2013 and well into 2014 ranging from Florida to Alaska and Antarctica. We will then figure out where to go from there.
Boortz continues, “Believe me, this wasn’t a decision I made lightly. I love this business and everything it has afforded me. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to be doing my talk show for 42 years. I'll certainly miss the listeners and callers; but most of all I'll miss my radio family, executive producer Belinda Skelton and researcher Cristina Gonzalez. If, in your own travels, you pass us in the BoortzBus on some highway, be sure to wave.”
“There is no doubt in my mind that Neal Boortz is the best radio talk show host in America – and arguably the best to ever be on radio,” said Dan Kearney, Vice President and Market Manager of News/Talk WSB. “It’s been a privilege for WSB to be the place he’s called home for so much of his career. “
“While Neal is ending his daily radio show next year, he is not leaving the station entirely,” said News/Talk WSB Program Director Pete Spriggs. “Listeners will continue to hear from Neal via the ‘Boortz Blast,’ a daily rant on a hot topic as only Neal can deliver it.”
Boortz further commented, “Did you know you can record those on an iPad? When I give you my 90 seconds or so of wisdom every morning you won't know if it's coming from Monument Valley, Alaska or the Danube River. I'll also be keeping my blog at Boortz.com and will add a special page filled with pictures and stories of our travels.”
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