By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
With a heavy heart, we have some very sad news to share today.
On Thursday, we lost our friend and colleague, Craig Russell. Known to us and to countless listeners as the host of The Afternoon Hustle, Craig passed away at the age of 56 after a lengthy health battle.
A native of Portage, Michigan, Craig dedicated 36 years of his life to broadcasting. As Program Director and host of The Afternoon Hustle, he became one of the defining voices of 97.7 The Bolt. He made an immeasurable impact on our station, our staff, and our listeners. He was a calm, welcoming voice on the air, a trusted friend behind the scenes, and a mentor whose passion for radio and willingness to share his knowledge made everyone around him better.
Weekdays from 2 until 6 p.m., Craig welcomed listeners on The Afternoon Hustle, helping them through the workday and the drive home with great music, conversation, and his unmistakable personality. Every Friday at 3 p.m., he kicked off the weekend with Ride Friday, a tradition that many listeners looked forward to each week.
Away from the microphone, Craig was a passionate sports fan, a proud lover of pizza, and someone who enjoyed sharing what he loved with everyone around him. He never hid his loyalty to the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bears, Chicago Blackhawks, and Columbus Blue Jackets, while always cheering from afar for his hometown Kalamazoo Wings. His enthusiasm, sense of humor, and genuine personality made him someone people naturally gravitated toward.
To those of us who worked alongside him, Craig was much more than a broadcaster. He was a friend, a mentor, and someone whose love for local radio never faded. His kindness, professionalism, and dedication left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Today, we remember not only an outstanding broadcaster, but an even better person. As we mourn his passing, we also keep in our thoughts his ex-wife, Andrea, and his two children, Jaylynn and Hunter, along with the many family members, friends, coworkers, and listeners who loved him. The impact he made on this station and on so many lives will be felt for years to come.
From all of us at 97.7 The Bolt, we extend our deepest condolences to Craig’s family, friends, and everyone whose lives he touched through the years.
Thank you, Craig, for your friendship, your guidance, your laughter, and the memories you gave us each day. Your voice may no longer be on the air, but your legacy will always be a part of 97.7 The Bolt.