IN Radio: WTHI's Barry Kent Sets Retirement

Barry Kent

Barry Kent, a Country Radio Hall of Fame inductee, has announced that after a 45-year career he will retire from WTHI 99.9 FM, according to trbistar.com.

Kent’s career with WTHI-FM will be celebrated at 7 p.m. July 16 during the annual Summer Bash Concert at Fairbanks Park, which will also mark his last day on air, according to a press release.

“Barry has spent 32 years on air at WTHI-FM, which is amazing in our industry,” said James Conner, Emmis vice president-Terre Haute. “He has more than earned the opportunity to reflect and enjoy what he has accomplished in the broadcast industry.”

A native of West Terre Haute, Barry began his radio career at WWVR-FM in 1969 working for WPFR-FM before moving to WBOW AM/FM the following year.

In 1975, he became the station’s program director, and in 1980 WBOW-FM changed call letters to WBOQ and flipped to country.

Kent moved to WTHI in 1982, where he served as program director and afternoon DJ. In the late ’80s, he switched to the morning show and has remained there ever since. He served as the operations manager for WTHI and WWVR until January 2012.