Iowa Radio: Morning Host Steve Pilchen Returns On KBOE

Steve Pilchen

Comedian and radio veteran Steve Pilchen, also known as The Round Guy, has agreed to join Country KBOE 104.9 FM station for a new show that will air from 6-11 a.m. Monday through Friday, said Rick Watts, general manager of KBOE.

"It was a perfect fit," Watts said of bringing Pilchen on board. "He's just a really entertaining guy. Hopefully he will bring some happiness and joy to listeners."

Pilchen, who was a co-host of a very popular morning show on KGGO in Des Moines for nearly 20 years, said he is excited to return to the airwaves and also Oskaloosa. Pilchen attended William Penn University and played baseball for the Statesmen.

"It's just a breath of fresh air. The timing couldn't be better," Pilchen said. "To be hired just prior to the holidays, it's going to be one of the better Christmases in recent memory."

Pilchen is a well-known comic and has opened for a wide range of nationally known performers such as Larry The Cable Guy and others. He said he hopes to parlay his connections to the comedy world, as well as to classic rock musicians, to secure interviews and other promotional elements for KBOE and KMZN listeners.

KBOE 104.9 FM (50 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area

According to The Des Moines Register, Ciumulus Media unceremoniously fired Pilchen from KGGO-FM in Des Moines and pushed aside Heather Burnside and Lou Sipolt five years ago.

Heather and Lou found other jobs in the Des Moines media market, but Steve found himself without a steady income.

He lost his house, nearly lost his car, sold his collection of sports memorabilia and was working late shifts at an insurance company for Per Mar Security to pay rent on a duplex he moved into earlier this year.