A longtime host at Country 102.5 is leaving the Boston station after more than three decades, as the beloved radio personality said she’s “hanging up my headphones.”
Carolyn Kruse announced on Friday that her final day at the station will be Aug. 28.
“This is gonna be harder than I thought,” Kruse said on-air. “Alright, so you know how every song has a beginning, a middle and end? Well, today my friends, I’m here to tell you that my radio song is about to fade out.
“But it’s a beautiful and long song filled with high notes I never believed I could reach,” the midday host added. “After an incredible 31 years of playing country music on your radio in Boston, I am hanging up my headphones.”
It was not an easy decision to step away from the radio biz, Kruse emphasized.
“But I really feel like I need to be with my family now and try new things,” she said. “The time is right to let my radio song play out.
“It has been big and loud and filled with dreams that come true,” Kruse added. “The people I’ve worked with, the artists I’ve met, the music I’ve played, the shows I’ve seen, and having you there for all of it makes mine a story of legendary proportions.”
She thanked the loyal listeners from over the years.
“I’m ready to write a new song,” Kruse said. “I’m not sad. I’m excited for a new melody and lyrics to write… But you know I’m not going out with a whimper. I’m going out with a bang. And I want you to be there.”
The station will be having a send-off for Kruse. “Kruser’s Last Call!” will be at Foxboro’s Six String Grille and Stage on Aug. 20 from 6 to 9 p.m.
“After 31 legendary years on Country 102.5, Kruser is retiring and we’re throwing a party you won’t want to miss,” the station wrote.
“We are looking forward to honoring Kruser for all of her hard work, dedication and unwavering support of both local and national country artists,” the station added. “She is a big part of Country 102.5 and we want to celebrate her to the fullest at ‘Kruser’s Last Call.’ ”
Her departure is coming a few months after Country 102.5 DJ Jackson Blue was let go by Beasley Media Group amid a rash of layoffs. About 7% of the company workforce was cut.