WIXX introduces listeners to its new morning show host, Carson
Kendra Meinert
GREEN BAY - "Hi, I'm Carson. I'm the new guy."
WIXX-FM ushered in the next chapter of its morning radio show one day early with the debut of new host Chris Carson on Thursday. The Green Bay station had been teasing an official Friday start.
Carson, a northeast Wisconsin native, is an 18-year radio veteran whose most recent positions were at country music stations WDEZ-FM in Wausau and 99.5 Nash FM in Oshkosh.
“Carson in the Morning” will replace the “Murphy in the Morning” show that ran for 32 years with Jim Murphy (aka Murphy in the Morning) as the host. He retired on Nov. 28 with much fanfare, including a parade of special guests and a proclamation by Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich of “Murphy in the Morning Day" in the city.
Murphy’s longtime co-hosts, Katie Schurk for 20 years and Nick Vitrano for 12 years, continued on as station owner Midwest Communications searched for Murphy’s replacement, but the two then shocked many listeners on Friday when they announced they had made the decision to leave the station. Friday was their last day on the air.
In separate Facebook posts from WIXX and Schurk, both parties thanked the other for the opportunity and for their service.
“As for the future, Nick and I want to take time away to process this life altering decision. We are sure that you have questions, but we would appreciate you respecting our privacy while we navigate our futures," Schurk wrote. "We love and appreciate you all."
Their sudden departure has fueled much speculation about the changes and sparked thousands of social media comments running the gamut of emotions.
WIXX searching for co-host with quick wit, upbeat personality
Corey Carter, brand manager for WIXX, has been temporarily filling in on the 5 to 9 a.m. slot this week. On Wednesday, he introduced listeners to Carson and gave them a chance to ask "the new guy" questions.
They learned he’s a single father with a 17-year-old son who lives in the Neenah area. He grew up in Redgranite in Waushara County, where his family owns the BR Diner. He has a cat, eats a bowl of cereal every day and once sat at the same table as Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood when he was in country radio.
He will eventually be joined by a co-host. Midwest Communications sent out a job posting earlier this week for the full-time position of morning drive co-host.
“Our long-term morning show has moved on and we need the next superstar to step up and seize the opportunity,” the news release begins.
It goes on to list what the station has in mind for the position:
“We are personality driven and extremely local 24/7. We’re looking for someone with a quick wit, upbeat positive personality and a super supportive team member. Also expected is strong social media content, personal appearances, creative, fresh and local every break."
The $1,000 Minute contest, birthday greetings will continue
Carson told listeners he was a longtime listener of “Murphy in the Morning” and appreciated how the chemistry between the three tight-knit co-hosts was such that it made it easy for listeners to feel a part of the show.
“It was like a family. It was like a Thanksgiving dinner or a Christmas get-together every day,” he said.
Carson assured listeners that longtime mainstays of the show, like the $1,000 Minute contest and reading birthday and anniversary wishes, will continue, as will WIXX's Top 40 music format.
The station is also looking forward to changing some things up and adding new elements. It has asked listeners to weigh in on keeping things like its Monday morning song and helping to come up with a new signature daily sign-off.
“It’s the same foundation. It’s the same house. We’re just going to put up some new curtains, some carpet, maybe change the paint a little bit and move forward and see what happens,” Carson said on the air.
He also acknowledged the unhappy comments on social media surrounding Schurk and Vitrano's departures. His first goal, he said, is to “snuff out the fire and the negativity that’s in the market,” get listeners back to a place of calm and start fresh.
“I am really excited to be a part of what’s next. And what is next? We’ve got lots of ideas, we’ve got lots of thoughts, but until it happens, we just don’t know," Carson said on Wednesday. "But we do know that we are going to give it our all and we are going to make northeast Wisconsin proud of the big one."
Otis Day starts Monday on the 95.9 KISS-FM morning show
The new beginnings in morning radio extend beyond WIXX.
Fellow Top 40 station, Appleton-based 95.9 KISS-FM (WKSZ), which is owned by Woodward Radio Group, announced Nov. 15 it had moved on from “The Jake and Tanner Show.” Jake Kelly and Tanner Jay had hosted for six years.
On Nov. 30, KISS-FM revealed that Otis Day will be its new morning show host beginning Monday. He’ll be solo to start from 5 to 9 a.m. weekdays as Woodward conducts a search for a co-host.
Day was on the air for 24 years at WIXX before stepping away in March 2022 for a career change outside of radio. KISS is betting on the return of an established voice and personality like Day to attract listeners.
"There was a very significant retirement with Murphy in the Morning, and bringing a familiar friend back to your morning ride is going to be very important,” Joe Marroe, brand manager for KISS, said in November. “Because I think a lot of people are going to be punching around the dial going, ‘Man, I need my friend right now,’ and Otis is everybody’s friend.”
Kendra Meinert is an entertainment and feature writer at the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at 920-431-8347 orkmeinert@greenbay.gannett.com. Follow her on X@KendraMeinert.