This Friday is going to be a very difficult day for all of us at Townsquare Media, especially me, as one of the nicest guys around will get your day going for the very last time. Dennis Oliver, who announced his retirement, has been waking people up for some 40 years in West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri and he will finally get to sleep in.

Three generations of listeners have enjoyed hearing his voice, originally on WBBA in Pittsfield in 1976 followed by KQCA (KQ102) in Canton in 1980, WQCY (99Q) in Quincy in 1985 and of course KRRY (Y101) Radio. He’s been here since 1992. For 24 years at Y101, Dennis has turned that microphone on with a passion “to play tunes and have fun”, as he would say. He has affected the lives of thousands over the years and now it is our time to say thanks back.

So this Friday on Y101, we will open our phone lines to allow all of you the chance to wish Dennis well. We will also read emails, tweets and Facebook posts and have some special people joining us this Friday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. Hopefully, you will be one of them. Then this Saturday night from 5 to 9 p.m. we will hold a “Meet & Greet” event at the Quincy Elks Club which is open to everyone to come by, reminisce and wish Mr. Oliver the best.

Over the last few years Dennis and I would joke about who would retire first.  I guess he wins. . I, for one, will miss my friend being around here and it is going to be very hard to say goodbye.  I do know one thing. When one Dennis Oliver walks out that door for the last time this Friday he can do so with his head held up high for a job and career well done!

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