A long-tenured on-air personality at the Current who worked behind the scenes to improved diversity and equality, Jade Tittle has announced her departure from Minnesota Public Radio’s alternative music station to pursue other interests.
“I’m ready to move on to my next dream,” the midday radio host said in a statement posted Monday afternoon on the Current’s website.
Tittle has been on air at the Current for 15 years, the last eight as its 10 a.m.-2 p.m. host — and the last three also serving as its music director. She will remain on air until the end of the week and continue working off air until Nov. 10.
A Minnesota native who came back to the Twin Cities from the University of Kansas, Tittle has not said what her plans are once she leaves MPR. She told the Star Tribune she wants to keep that information private, citing ongoing dealings with a convicted stalker — a “pretty horrible” situation that played a role in her decision, she said.
Tittle was recently victimized by the same stalker who pled guilty to harassing former Current radio host Mary Lucia in 2015. The 63-year-old man was arrested in January 2022 and faces felony charges for twice breaking a restraining order by visiting Tittle’s home.
Reaction to Tittle’s departure from the station resulted in ample high praise for her services on social media.
“Thank you for 15 amazing years,” listener Jessica Belich posted to Facebook. “I have always been able to count on you for a stellar playlist and relatable voice.”
“One of the greats,” former MPR newsman Bob Collins also posted.
In the midday slot, Tittle championed new and local artists via the Song of the Day and Album of the Week features while also celebrating ’90s nostalgia with the weekly Tonal Recall segment. As music director, she worked with program director Lindsay Kimball and managing director David Safar to regularly include more women and artists of color in the playlist, a shift that has been very noticeable in recent years.
Asked what her plans are for her final on-air shifts, she said, “I’m still planning some of it out, but I’m just going to make great radio and keep people company.”
Here is the full text of Tittle’s comments posted at thecurrent.org:
“Thanks for your generosity and kindness over the last 15 years of hanging out together. It was my childhood dream to be able to just talk about music with people all day and get paid to do it. It has surpassed my expectations in what a joy it is to be part of this community. As someone who constantly craves creative growth, The Current has been a wonderful place to challenge myself on-air, producing, trying out podcasts and videos and streams, traveling to bring the best music and experiences to listeners, and creating a playlist that values diversity, parity, and storytelling.
“The thing about dreams is that they change as you grow and I’m ready to move on to my next dream. Thank you for your conversations, time, and trust over the years. I’ll miss you.”
The Current will celebrate its 19th anniversary with a one-night winter birthday bash at First Avenue on Jan. 26 with performances by Lucius, Ber and Abraham Alexander.