Photo: Jordan Corey / Kiss 108
This morning, Matty in the Morning himself, Matt Siegel, retired after a legendary 41-year career on the radio at Kiss 108. Here was his message to family, friends, co-workers, and fans on his last day.
Hi, radio buddies, thanks for tuning in. I know, I know what you're thinking.
“Wait a minute, wait a minute, you're acting like everything is normal. Everything isn't normal, Matty. One thing: we're proud of you, as your listeners, that you're always honest with us. Sometimes you say... well, too honest things, and get yourself in trouble.”
I know, and I have been honest for the 41 years I've been with you, and so that will continue now.
This past year has been a little rough for me. I had brain surgery. I had a broken foot. I started getting a little grumpy on the radio, which I hate because all I want to do is make people laugh. That's my job, just to make people laugh, and I got off target, I guess you would say.
I'm a lucky guy for a million reasons, but five of them are a great wife and four great kids, and my great wife and my great kids talked with me over the last several weeks and helped me come to a decision and the decision is this: as of now, I am retired. I'm leaving Kiss 108 and starting my new life as a mediocre golfer.
Okay, that's being kind. Let me rephrase: I'm starting my new retired life as a lousy golfer, but we decided it was time. I started at Kiss 41 years ago, and it wasn't my first radio job. So, you know, added up I, you know, I turned 72 years old, this year. I mean, it's time. It's time.
A couple things I want to say, most importantly, that it's been such a glorious run. I'm so appreciative, I can't tell you. When I think back to when I started in radio, making $2.00 an hour, I never thought I would mount to this. I never thought I would win two Marconi Awards, which are given out to the top radio announcer in the country. I won it twice. I'm so proud of that.
I'm so proud of... I put the laughs away on 9/11 and did a serious show, where I stayed on for eight straight hours, to try to be there for you guys.
When COVID hit - and it was awful - it was very stressful, and I was stuck in the house and all that stuff. I just tried, every day, so hard, to be light and fun because I thought that's what you guys, my listeners, needed at the time, and I'm proud that I did that.
I'm proud that I was asked to host the Boston Strong show, after the [Boston] Marathon bombing. I was very, very flattered to be asked to speak on the part of the city. That was a wonderful experience.
You know, I interviewed everybody - from Tom Cruise to Oprah to Tom Hanks. I talked to Hillary Clinton on Election Day. It didn't turn out so well, but we, you know, joked, and it was such a thrill. You know that that meant a lot.
But most of it was the silly stuff, you know? At the Kiss Concert, in a Spider-Man outfit, being lowered from the ceiling and all these silly things that I did, over the years, with my team, just to make people laugh. That's all - that was my job and I feel as though, with a couple of blips here and there, that's what I did.
I just, I don't know, man. I think it's very possible that I could cry, right now, and I - I know it doesn't feel very manly to cry over a radio show but, yeah, it's been a wonderful run.
I'm so appreciative - let me just list some of the things I am appreciative of. First of all, my team. Superb radio talent - Billy Costa, Lisa Donovan, Justin, Winnie, Dom, all of them. I want to thank all of the people who preceded them, over the last 40 years, who were on the show with me. Kind of too few, too many rather, to mention, but yeah, I want to thank all of them.
I want to thank the many behind the scenes workers at Kiss too, that you guys don't see.
The programming department that picked out the music that we play. Clearly, I don't know anything about the music, so they were wonderful.
The sales team who, you know, we don't function without a sales department. They were great.
The promotions department, the marketing department. They were so kind to me on my 40th anniversary. They put up all these billboards and stuff and I'll never forget them for that. That was wonderful.
Also, the management of iHeartMedia. They were very generous to me. Paid me, you know, probably way more than I deserve. So, they're wonderful and, well...
Here we go, last but not least, my radio pals - you guys. Impossible. Not in a million years would I ever, ever thought I would have the following that I have with my silly jokes and my silly interviews. I love you guys.
I can't. I don't know. I don't know. I just can't thank you enough. I mean, I don't know, I don't feel like I deserve it. I don't. I don't. I did the best I could, but I don't, still don't. I just cannot tell you how much I appreciate what you guys have done, how you’ve been there and things you've written online and things that, you know, you said to me in public when I would be in a restaurant or whatever, and you'd come up to me. I just - I don't even feel like I deserved it, not that much. That was just over the top.
I love you guys more than words can express. I'll miss you terribly. This is really bittersweet. I agree with my family that it is time to walk away, but I'm sad - I'll miss you all so terribly.
Oh, and one more thing: If you want to see me, come visit me in Florida!
I love you guys!
Matty has won multiple Marconi Radio Awards for excellence and performance in radio and is a Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame Inductee.
Congratulations, Matty! Enjoy your well-deserved retirement. We hope you enjoy more time on the golf course. Hit ‘em straight!