Dave Ryan

Dave Ryan — born David Kibler — began his radio career in his native Colorado Springs before becoming one of America’s best-known contemporary-hit morning personalities.

Ryan grew up in Black Forest, graduated from Air Academy High School in 1980 and attended what is now Pikes Peak State College. He has recalled listening as a teenager to Colorado Springs stations including KYSN and Z93/KSPZ, an early connection to the market where he would soon work professionally.

By April 1983, Ryan was the evening personality at KKFM, then branded “96 Rock.” Billboard reported that new PD Chuck Finney promoted Ryan to Music Director, replacing Jack Hamilton. The promotion placed the young evening personality directly in the station’s music-programming operation.

Ryan’s responsibilities grew again in February 1984, when Radio & Records reported that KKFM promoted him to Assistant Program Director/Music Director. He continued handling the evening airshift.

By September 1984 Ryan had left Colorado Springs for KLUC/Las Vegas mornings. Billboard reported that Jon Anderson replaced Ryan in the KKFM MD/APD duties, Roger Miles moved into Ryan’s former evening shift and Doug Hammond from KIDN/Pueblo joined the station for late nights. Chuck Finney remained KKFM Program Director.

Ryan subsequently worked in Las Vegas, Columbus and Phoenix before beginning the Dave Ryan in the Morning Show at KDWB/Minneapolis-St. Paul in 1993. His later career included multiple major-industry honors, including Marconi awards, but his path to national radio prominence began in the Colorado Springs market.

Real name: David Kibler.

Southern Colorado station: KKFM.

KKFM roles: Evening personality; Music Director; Assistant Program Director/Music Director.

Documented KKFM period: 1983-1984.

Sources: Billboard, Apr. 9, 1983 and Sept. 15, 1984; Radio & Records, Feb. 17, 1984 and Sept. 14, 1984; later Dave Ryan/KDWB biographical material.