Jim Grady arrived in Sonoma County in 1960, looking for a better climate than that of Seattle, where he’d started his radio career. He would be heard for the next 44 years as the morning host at KSRO, while also broadcasting countless Sonoma County sports events with his on-air sidekick and fellow 2026 BARHOF inductee Merle Ross.
Grady would spend the final years of his celebrated career at KZST.
Jim Grady passed away in 2013 at the age of 77.
I loved Jim Grady. He was the epitome of a small town DJ , knew everyone by name, knew every street, every business, every listener and was bigger than life. In his last days on this earth I asked him if he would have given any of it up, the smoking, the drinking, the partying, staying up all night and getting up too early in the morning. He sat up in his hospital bed sat up and said… I wouldn’t change a thing, now sneak me in a cigarette and a drink.
It was a privileged to work with him. I miss him every day.
Shamus was the king.