Russ Martin

Russell Dale Martin (October 4, 1960 – February 27, 2021) was an American radio presenter in Dallas, Texas. He worked in the Dallas radio market for 31 years. Martin hosted the No. 1-rated The Russ Martin Show on KLLI Live 105.3 in Dallas, until December 8, 2008, when KLLI switched to an all-sports format. On July 12, 2010, Martin returned to radio with his afternoon (3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.) show on 97.1 "The Eagle" (KEGL).

This article is about the radio personality. For other people with the same name, see Russell Martin.
Russ Martin
Born
Russell Dale Martin

(1960-10-04)October 4, 1960
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
DiedFebruary 27, 2021(2021-02-27) (aged 60)
Frisco, Texas, U.S.
Career
ShowThe Russ Martin Show
Station(s)
  • KEGL (1987 (1987)–2000 (2001))
  • KLLI-FM (2000 (2000)–2008 (2009))
  • KEGL (2010 (2010)–2021 (2022))
Time slotMonday – Friday
5:00pm – 7:00pm
StyleHot talk
CountryUnited States
Websitekegl.iheart.com/featured/the-russ-martin-show/

Early life and career

Martin grew up in Pleasant Grove, a large, working-class neighborhood in southeast Dallas, where he graduated from W.W. Samuell High School. Martin's radio career began in the 1980s at KGVL 1400 AM in Greenville, Texas, working 6:00 p.m. to midnight running the board for religious programs.[1]

In 1982, Martin was hired by KTLR 107.1 FM in Terrell, Texas, to play country music on weekends. A year later, in 1983, he was hired by KAAM 1310 AM in Dallas as a part-time weekend disc jockey. In 1986, Martin was hired for another part-time position by the Satellite Music Network for an oldies format, and later worked part-time for Z-Rock while still working at KAAM and KAFM.[1]

In 1987 Martin was hired by Top 40 station KEGL, The Eagle, in Dallas. He also hosted a talk show on Sunday nights at KEGL. He hosted the television shows Hot TV and Hot Tickets which ran from 1988 (1988) to 1994 (1994) on the then local FOX affiliate KDAF.[2]

The Russ Martin Show

The first incarnation of The Russ Martin Show began following the departure of The Howard Stern Show from KEGL. In 1997 he was asked to fill morning drive time slot. Within two years, Martin's ratings had surpassed those of Dallas veteran radio personality Ron Chapman.[3]

In 2000, Martin left KEGL following a contract dispute. The Russ Martin Show reappeared on KYNG, a station that had previously been country-western music. Martin began his first show at KYNG on April 6, 2000, once again filling the morning drive time slot. When Howard Stern was picked up by KYNG, The Russ Martin Show moved from its morning drive slot to 3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. In 2003, KYNG changed its call letters to KLLI and took on the Live 105.3 branding.

The Russ Martin Show had consistently high ratings for KLLI since his show debuted on 105.3.[4] In August 2005, D Magazine named Martin best radio talk show host in the DFW area.[5]

In December 2008, Live 105.3 changed its format to include more live sports programming, and Martin was eliminated during the switch.[6] Subsequently, his former staffer spoke out against him. "Stuff he'd say to us on the air he wouldn't say to us in the hall, because he's a coward," says J.D. Ryan, Martin's radio right-hand man for 25 years. "To him everything was a bit, but eventually he crossed the line. It became personal. He made it clear that being successful wasn't enough. For him to be truly happy, those around him also had to fail miserably."[7]

On July 1, 2010, KEGL ran a promo announcing the return of The Russ Martin Show. The show began airing on July 12, 2010, in the 6:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. time slot.[8]

On September 14, 2011, KEGL started airing best-of-episodes of The Russ Martin Show during the show's daypart for an extended period of time. On September 22, 2011, KEGL's then-program director Chris Ryan, announced the Russ Martin Show would be moving to the 3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. time slot beginning September 26, 2011.

On November 17, 2014, KEGL's sister station KFXR-AM began airing previous afternoon episodes of the show weekdays from 7:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.[9]

Starting in 2016, Russ began having various medical issues[10] and missed several shows throughout the year. Dan, Clo, and Alfie carried the show, with help from Scott West on occasion, and remained at the top of the ratings despite Russ' absences.

In addition to Russ Martin, cast members include Dan O'Malley, Clo Raborn, Alfie Coy, and Jerry Caldwell. The show has a number of recurring guests including Dr. Scott Thornton, Everett Newton, Captain Mark Howard, Mark Verma, Scott West, and Ty Jäger.[11]

On January 15, 2020 Jerry Caldwell and Ty Jäger were released from the show as a result of sweeping iHeartRadio budget cuts.

The theme song for The Russ Martin Show is Fire and Mercy by William Orbit from the 1987 Strange Cargo album.

Charity work

Martin founded The Russ Martin Show Listeners Foundation in 2002, which benefits the families of police officers and firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The Foundation also coordinates an annual parade called the Heroes Day Parade. In 2006 he formed The Russ Martin Show Experience, a band made up of RMS cast members, regular guests and local musicians. The band performs rock cover songs at live venues and at an annual "White Trash Party" to raise money for charity.[12] The shows benefit The Russ Martin Show Listeners Foundation.[13]

Interests

Russ Martin's interests included 1960s television show character Batman as portrayed by Adam West, as well as his fascination with James Garner and the character Jim Rockford.[7] Martin also owned a collection of classic TV show cars such as a Dukes of Hazzard's General Lee replica,[14] the fastest 1966 Batmobile replica, a Munster Koach replica, and the 1976 Ford Grand Torino from Starsky and Hutch.[1]

Controversy

The police of Southlake, Texas, arrested Russ Martin while at Larry North Fitness on July 18, 2008, for charges of aggravated assault-bodily injury-deadly weapon following an incident occurring on July 14, 2008, concerning his then-girlfriend Mandy Blake.[15] Martin was accused of pulling her hair, kicking her, and brandishing a pistol.[16] According to the arrest warrant affidavit, on July 14, Martin called the woman and asked if she had followed up about a package he sent to the IRS. When she told him she had not, the document says, he allegedly told her, among other things, "You better hide, because when I get there I'm going to beat the shit out of you."[17] His charges were later reduced to misdemeanor assault. Two weeks prior to Martin's scheduled court date he accepted a plea bargain and pleaded no contest. Martin was placed on two years of deferred probation, and was required to complete a batterer's intervention program to clear his record. On February 10, 2009, nearly eight months after the incident, Mandy Blake filed a complaint with the Southlake police department, claiming she had been coerced into making a statement for what she considered a very minor incident.[16] In an interview with Janet St. James, Martin stated that no one from the DA's office or Southlake police had ever contacted him to get his side of the story.[16]

Death

Martin had battled health problems for years,[10][18] including heart surgery.[19][20] He was found dead at his home in Frisco, Texas on February 27, 2021. Frisco Police Department said no foul play was suspected.[21]


See also

References
  1. "WHO IS RUSS MARTIN?". RussMartin.info. 2012. Archived from the original on February 20, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  2. Published on December 5, 2004, Page 1D, Fort Worth Star-Telegram (TX)
  3. Brumley, Al (October 22, 1999). "KEGL morning team rises - Martin moves to fifth place over KVIL in summer ratings" (PDF). The Arts. The Dallas Morning News. p. 41A. ISSN 1553-846X. Retrieved March 3, 2021 – via archives.dallasnews.com. Russ Martin has arrived. Two years after taking over for Howard Stern at "The Eagle" KEGL-FM (97.1), Mr. Martin ranked fifth overall this summer in the quarterly Arbiton ratings, beating out Dallas legend Ron Chapman at KVIL-FM (103.7).
  4. Brumley, Al (January 27, 2002). "Hispanics get a greater listen - Despite flawed Arbitron sample, KLNO-FM moves into the top 10" (PDF). Arts Sunday. The Dallas Morning News. p. 4C. ISSN 1553-846X. Retrieved March 2, 2021 – via archives.dallasnews.com. In other ratings news, Russ Martin shows no signs of slowing down as the area's afternoon-drive juggernaut at KYNG-FM (105.3). Mr. Martin also ranked first among listeners 25 to 54, men 25 to 54 and men 25 to 49.
  5. D MAGAZINE EDITORS, ed. (August 1, 2005). "The Best of Big D 2005 - BEST RADIO YAKETY-YAKKER: Russ Martin". D Magazine. ISSN 0161-7826. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  6. Gordon, Scott (December 8, 2008). "Martin Responds to 105.3 Format Changes". KXAS-TV. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2021. The (Russ Martin) show is no longer with the radio station at this time," said David Henry, KLLI-FM's senior vice president and general manager. "We feel the sports format is the biggest possible audience we can get.
  7. Whitt, Richie (July 30, 2009). "Former shock Jock Russ Martin's Ego and Wallet Continue to Swell, Though He's Quietly Losing Relevance". Dallas Observer. ISSN 0732-0299. Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021. He's a vulgar, pompous bully who for years physically and psychologically tormented his Dallas radio co-workers to gain fame and fortune. "Stuff he'd say to us on the air he wouldn't say to us in the hall, because he's a coward," says J.D. Ryan, Martin's radio right-hand man for 25 years. "To him everything was a bit, but eventually he crossed the line. It became personal. He made it clear that being successful wasn't enough. For him to be truly happy, those around him also had to fail miserably."
  8. "The Russ Martin Show - 97.1 THE EAGLE ROCKS Dallas/Fort Worth". Archived from the original on June 13, 2011. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
  9. Philpot, Robert (November 14, 2014). "Reports: KFXR/1190 AM to relaunch as "TalkRadio 1190"". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. ISSN 0889-0013. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2021. KFXR/1190 AM, the only DFW AM station owned by iHeartMedia (formerly Clear Channel), is changing again: AllAccess.com and RadioInsight both reported this afternoon that as of Monday, the station will become TalkRadio 1190. The station currently carries a mix of talk and business programming, but will go all-talk on Monday, with programming repurposed from other iHeartMedia stations. Most noteworthy for DFW listeners: The station will air reruns of the previous afternoon's The Russ Martin Showfrom 7 to 11 a.m. weekdays.
  10. "The Eagle Radio Host Russ Martin Dies at 60: Frisco Police". KXAS-TV. February 27, 2021. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021. Following the broadcast, Dan O'Malley said the news was shocking but not unexpected for those who were close with Martin. "Russ has been dealing with a lot of health issues over the last few years, so it's sad that it comes to its inevitable end. But at the same time, we're trying to find solace in knowing that he's at peace and that he's no longer in pain," O'Malley said.
  11. Russ Martin Show website Page accessed April 7, 2015
  12. "Live 105.3".
  13. "Russ Martin Show - Audio from the Russ Martin Show". www.russmartin.fm.
  14. "RussMartin.INFO – 2007-04-03".
  15. Carlisle, Candance (July 27, 2008). "Russ Martin returns to radio after July 18 arrest". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. ISSN 0889-0013. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  16. St. James, Janet (July 15, 2009). "News 8 exclusive: Russ Martin talks about battery charge". WFAA. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  17. Wilonsky, Robert (July 21, 2008). "The Alleged Events Leading Up to Russ Martin's Arrest Friday Morning". Dallas Observer.
  18. Rodgers, Brooke (March 1, 2021). "'It Was Just Disbelief': Fans, Texas Radio Personalities Mourn Passing Of Russ Martin". KTVT. Dallas. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021. Friends said the 60-year-old had suffered health problems in recent years, yet he rose to the occasion anytime a firefighter or police officer fell. And that, they said, will continue, even though he's signed off for the last time.
  19. Venta, Lance (February 3, 2020). "Ben & Skin Join KEGL; To Split Afternoons With Russ Martin Show". RadioInsight. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  20. @RussMartinShow (July 8, 2016). "My heart surgery is now on hold & I'm watching the breaking news on the Dallas Police Officer shootings. The RMS Foundation IS ready" (Tweet). Retrieved March 1, 2021 – via Twitter.
  21. Jimenez, Jesus (February 27, 2021). "Russ Martin, Dallas-Fort Worth radio show host, found dead in his home, police say". The Dallas Morning News. ISSN 1553-846X. Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2021. It's with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of 97.1 The Eagle's Russ Martin," the station said in a written statement. "He will be dearly missed & we send our deepest condolences to his family & friends during this difficult time.
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