Kevin Fleming, founder/CEO/editor-in-chief/writer of the premier Black music and leisure weblog/publication, The City Buzz, died final Thursday (Sept. 21) in Los Angeles after a valiant combat in opposition to pancreatic most cancers. Fleming, whose multifaceted profession included tenures as a radio programmer and marketing consultant in addition to senior-level label government, was 65 years previous.
In paying tribute to Fleming, Rick Nuhn — host of the nationally syndicated program High 10 Now & Then and the household’s spokesman — tells Billboard, “It’s uncommon {that a} PD and air expertise turn into 38-year buddies, however that’s what occurred. I used to be on the air in Phoenix when just a few buddies from the file enterprise really helpful me to Kevin, who was the brand new PD at legendary KGFJ in Los Angeles. Lengthy story brief, I used to be employed in 1985 to be the morning man in market No. 2. The doorways that opened and the alternatives that I used to be offered with enabled my profession to go in lots of instructions — all because of Kevin. Phrases won’t ever be sufficient to say how a lot I and my prolonged household will miss having Kevin by our aspect.”
“Lookup ‘good dude’ within the dictionary and there will likely be an image of Kevin Fleming,” provides longtime good friend Herb Trawick, president of Fab Leisure. “Sensible, musical, massive coronary heart, goofy and a proud dad; beloved by all and for good purpose. My man all the time.”
A Minneapolis native, Fleming was born on March 28, 1958. Graduating from HBCU Clark Atlanta College with a bachelor’s diploma in broadcast administration and communications in 1981, he initially labored at Atlanta radio stations WAOK & WIGO and Sumter, South Carolina’s WWDM. Fleming then landed his first main market gig as PD of L.A.’s aforementioned KGFJ in 1984.
5 years later, Fleming segued to the label aspect of the business as vp of Black music at Island Data. Following a two-year tenure as vp/GM of Perspective Data, owned by legendary manufacturing duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Fleming returned to his radio roots in 1993 as operations supervisor/PD of Los Angeles shops KACE & KRTO. Throughout his seven-year tenure there, he additionally started working as a radio marketing consultant within the areas of programming and total operations.
It was after serving as Gavin Journal’s city radio editor for 2 years that Fleming launched The City Buzz weekly info publication and web site in 2002, which focused city radio, music and leisure professionals. Along with being employed to program Radio One’s flagship L.A. station KKBT in 2006 and overseeing its transition to city grownup model KRBV, Fleming rounded out his radio profession along with his most up-to-date stint as PD of Pacifica Radio’s KPFK in Los Angeles between 2018-2021.
Notes veteran music government Ken Wilson, “The business from radio to information has suffered a giant loss. Kevin and I shared many enjoyable in addition to instructing moments. Relaxation effectively, my nice good friend!”
Fleming is survived by his spouse Maria and son Dylan, mother and father Cynthia Tyner and Gerald Fleming, sisters Stephanie Fleming, Karen Matthews and Alycia Rivera and a number of nieces, nephews and buddies. Donations will be made to Fleming’s GoFundMe account at https://gofund.me/e20783bc.
