A Syracuse radio host is gone from the airwaves after a nearly 25-year career.
Big Smoothie revealed on social media that he is out at K-Rock (WKRL / WKRH), eight years after joining the Central New York rock station. Thursday was his last day.
“I was informed today that I am no longer employed at K-Rock and was let go,” he said in an Instagram video. “I want to be totally honest with you: I’m at peace right now. It’s a strange feeling. I have done so many things inside of a business that I’ve been told so many times I didn’t belong in. I’ve been told many times I was not good enough to do what we were doing in radio.”
Big Smoothie, whose real name is Jamie Hantke, said he was upset but not “raging” like he would’ve been in his 20s and 30s. He previously worked at 95X (WAQX-FM) from 2001 to 2006 and from 2009 to 2017, then joined K-Rock (also styled as KROCK) as a part-time DJ in 2017 and became full-time in 2020.
At 46, Hantke said he’s familiar with “the nature of the business” and the nature of the beast right now probably because most of us are prepared for it for a while and we all know it’s going to come eventually right especially in radio and media in general.”
Galaxy Media owner Ed Levine confirmed the change, telling syracuse.com | The Post-Standard that Hantke “has moved on” from K-Rock.
Hantke had been hosting weekday afternoons on K-Rock from 3-7 p.m. since January 2020. Levine said his time slot will be replaced by Bender from TK99 (WTKW-FM), another Galaxy-owned radio station.
Hantke told syracuse.com that he appreciated Galaxy giving him an opportunity when he was let go from 95X in 2017: “I knew I still had more to give in this business.”
He said his exit was “not exactly how I wanted to go out,” but noted that he can stay connected with fans through social media. He plans to do live videos on TikTok and Twitch, including streams from the local gym he owns.
Hantke said his favorite memories from his radio career include going to the British Virgin Islands in 2005 and doing live events, especially at the New York State Fair, and doing interviews. But he’s not sure what’s next for “Big Smoothie.”
“So listen, if you’ve joined this journey recently, if you’ve been on this journey since day one, I appreciate all of you,” he said on Instagram. “Whether Big Smoothie is dead and gone, I don’t know but always remember: Big Smoothie was only an extension of Jamie Hantke… so thank you all.”
In the meantime, Hantke, a former Corcoran High School and Cayuga Community College football player, said he’s focused on his work at 315 Strong The Gym in Syracuse. The semi-private training facility is open seven days a week with 24-hour access for members.
“I love this town,” he said. “Being a kid that grew up in the city you don’t always get opportunities to make yourself into something.”
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