After a 25-year west coast hiatus, veteran morning personality Jack Diamond is set to make his triumphant return to the San Diego market on Monday, August 18 -- he's been hired by Broadcast Company of the Americas to anchor mornings on Classic Hits XHPRS, which is simultaneously rebranding from Walrus 105.7 FM to the far cooler-sounding 105.7 MAX-FM, featuring the biggest hits from the late '70s through the early '90s.
Diamond is probably best known for his successful 24-year run in mornings on WRQX/Washington. His major market resume also includes KNBR/San Francisco, WABC/New York, WRKO/Boston and WQXI (94Q)/Atlanta. Prior to his DC stint, Diamond did mornings on KSON/San Diego in the early '90s, where he worked Mike Shepard. That same Mike Shepard is now Programming-Ops Manager of 105.7 MAX-FM, and he's beside himself at the prospect of a Diamond reunion, saying, "We are thrilled to welcome him back home." Diamond will be joined by co-host Kim Morrison and producer Kayla Yap on the newly named Jack Diamond Morning Show with Kim and Kayla, weekdays from 6-9am. The new MAX line-up also includes Jay Coffey from 9am-2pm, and Christina Martinez, who joins MAX for afternoons.
Diamond commented, "When I left San Diego before my 24-year run with ABC Radio in Washington, DC, I told my KSON PD, Mike Shepard that I'd be back. He said, 'Great -- when you're ready, call me!' and I did. California Dreamin' has once again become a reality. Shepard and VP/Market Manager Norm Feuer have a great strategic plan, and we have two great partners in place in Kim & Kayla. Let the games begin!"