East Texas Radio Community Mourns Loss of One of Our Own

The East Texas radio community is mourning the loss of one of our fellow broadcasting partners today. Longtime production director for Townsquare Media - Tyler/Longview, Chris Dyer, passed away yesterday (11/7) after a lengthy illness.

While Chris was not a DJ in Tyler, you heard his voice all the time. His 12-plus years of employment with our radio stations saw him produce thousands of commercials for local advertising clients. Among some of the clients Chris was proud to work with on a daily basis included businesses such as Peltier Chevrolet, Keith Miller, Budget Mobile Homes, Oak Creek Homes and countless others.

Chris started his radio career in the Lufkin/Nacogdoches market. He moved to the major market of Houston, where he worked at stations KTBQ, KHMX and others. Chris moved to the Tyler market from Houston in the late 1990s, and he worked for us here at KNUE, Mix 93-1, 96X and HOT 107.3 Jamz for more than 12 years.

Here's one of Chris's commercials:

You'll recognize the voice!

Chris was a friend to everyone who met him. Chris NEVER met a stranger. He was one of the most caring and kind hearted individuals I have ever known. Chris had an amazing talent and was blessed from God with a great voice. He loved the radio industry. The radio industry, and everyone who was lucky enough to call him "friend," is better for having known him.

Our News Director, Dave Goldman, said this about Chris: "A great voice has been silenced with the passing of Chris Dyer. He was a natural communicator and a great story teller. Chris had some amazing stories of his life to share, and I’m grateful for the many years I knew him and was able to share a lot of laughs. He was a music lover to put it lightly, a common bond we shared . His knowledge of music is something I always admired. Chis was also a big fan of my son’s guitar playing, and actually helped Jeremy record his first demo. I will remember Chris always with a smile, God speed my friend."

Buddy Logan, host of Radio Texas Live! on KNUE says, "Chris was impossible not to get along with, he was just ridiculously nice. If you knew Chris, you had at least one best friend. And he had some pipes! One of the best voices I’ve ever heard and definitely the best I’ve ever worked with. It’s been nearly a year since he has worked with us, but there hasn’t been a day his absence wasn’t noticed and felt. And now his absence has grown even bigger. Chris’s HUGE voice was dwarfed only by his amazing personality. Love you brother."

Amy Austin, Program Director for KNUE, said "15 years ago, I was blessed to meet Chris Dyer. Chris was moving from Houston to East Texas and was looking for a job! I’m so lucky that he came to KNUE, and that I had the good sense to him.  I instantly fell in love with the man! He was funny, tender, and talented beyond belief.  I will miss his silky voice, bright smile and teddy bear hugs, but most of all, I will miss his friendship."

Lucky Larry Program Director of Mix 93-1 says of Chris, “Chris NEVER met a stranger. He was one of the most caring and kind hearted individuals I have ever known. Chris had an amazing talent and was blessed from God with a great voice. He loved the radio industry. The radio industry, and everyone who was lucky enough to call him “friend,” is better for having known him”.