Influential and British-born US radio man Nic Harcourt is stepping down as host of the 'Morning Becomes Eclectic' show on LA radio station KCRW after ten years in the job. He is also stepping down as the station's Music Director. KCRW is known in LA, and further afield thanks to its webcasts, as one of the few US radio stations to truly champion good new music, and has been especially kind to rising UK talent over the years. Harcourt will continue to present one weekly show on the station, but will no longer work for them full time.
Harcourt told reporters: "I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to come to work every day and be surrounded by creative and passionate people and I want to keep the connection alive on my Sunday show. Since I arrived here, I've fulfilled many of my dreams as a music lover, meeting and interviewing legends like Neil Young, Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson and Cat Stevens (Yusuf). I've also been able to set the stage for future stars, introducing artists like Coldplay, Damien Rice, Dido and Norah Jones on KCRW's airwaves. I'm equally proud to have played many unsigned and independent artists and to be a champion for Latin Alternative music. As a parent of two young children, I believe it's time for me to explore new career opportunities and expand upon my other activities in movie, television, voice over work, advertising and the internet".
The station's GM, Ruth Seymour, added: "Nic has enhanced KCRW's reputation for introducing new artists to listeners in Southern California and beyond on radio and the internet. His singular gifts as a radio deejay and his ability to spot new talent attracted major media attention from both national and international press. Nic is a hard act to follow. We are now in the process of choosing a new Music Director. We have been looking at potential candidates with an eye toward announcing a choice in the next few weeks".