Wayne Eddy, the longtime voice of KYMN(AM) in Northfield, Minn., and a member of the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame, has died. He was 83.
Eddy was the first hire of the station’s owner, Stan Stydnicki, and the inaugural voice to take to 1080 AM’s airwaves when it began broadcasting in September of 1968. He’d be heard on the station nearly every day for the next 51 years, including over three decades hosting mornings. Beginning in 2006, he hosted the “Wayne Eddy Affair.” Eddy announced his retirement in January 2020.
“I would call him authentic, committed to community, committed to service and just an absolute radio icon,” longtime Twin Cities radio personality Teri Knight said in an obituary for Eddy on KYMN’s website.
Eddy became ingrained in the community of the Minneapolis-St. Paul exurb, hosting and emceeing numerous events.
He was one of the founders of the Northfield Historical Society and took great joy in participating in the city’s annual Defeat of Jesse James Days parade. “His impact is immeasurable,” KYMN Owner Jeff Johnson said, adding that he learned “everything” from Eddy.
Eddy served on the Minnesota Broadcasters Association Board of Directors for 11 years, holding multiple roles. He won the association’s personality of the year award in 1997 and was inducted into the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2007. He was also the Minnesota Legislative Liaison for the NAB and chaired its small market committee, serving as a panelist at multiple conventions.
Eddy graduated from the former Brown Institute of Broadcasting in Minneapolis in 1964. Prior to coming to Northfield, the St. Paul native worked at WTMB(AM) in Tomah, Wisc., helping to put its 98.9 FM signal on-air in 1965. He also was on-air the following year at KAUS(AM/FM) in Austin, Minn.
Eddy is survived by his wife Julie and daughter Angel. Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Wed., Aug. 28 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield. The funeral will be livestreamed.
