Longtime veteran radio broadcaster Tim Byrd, known affectionately as “The Byrdman,” passed away peacefully on January 27, at the age of 68 of pneumonia. Tim is survived by his wife of 19 years, Sally, his loving stepchildren, Rola and Adie, and his mother, Bethany.
Tim grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and North Carolina, where he developed an early affinity for radio. His goal from a young age was to be a big city radio and television personality. He got his first break at age 15 at a family-owned station in Johnston, South Carolina. The rest, as they say, is history.
Tim’s radio gigs took him to Charlotte, Jacksonville, and Winston-Salem (at 21 years old, he was the youngest Program Director in the state at the time). The next stop was Cleveland, where Tim simultaneously held the number one afternoon radio show and hosted the nation’s first daily, hour-long dance TV show for NBC’s WKYC-TV.
Later, Tim grabbed the mic at New York City’s WNBC, where he worked with Don Imus and Howard Stern. At the city’s WPIX-FM station, he hosted both the morning and afternoon drive time shows and was selected as one of Radio and Record‘s “Top 25 Morning Men in America.” VH-1 was the next stop, where he was the only VJ to work with the first and second set of VJs. After more than 11 years in New York City, the next series of radio stops included Phoenix, Arizona, and Washington, D.C., before landing in South Florida. Tim enjoyed number 1 ratings at WRMF-FM, WEAT-FM, and KOOL 105.5-FM.
After living in the Palm Beaches for more than 15 years, it was evident to Tim that he was always discovering interesting new people, places, and things about the county he lived in. He realized it was time to share the information with people across the nation and beyond as a way to remind locals of the variety of things to do here. So, he created Palm Beach Live Work Play to help locals and visitors learn more about Palm Beach County.
Tim created an outlet for his voiceover business called Voxpower. Tim became the voice of many local businesses, organizations, and nonprofits. Tim was also the co-founder, along with friend Neil London, of SuperCar Week held every January in Palm Beach County.
Tim joined VCMG Live on the True Oldies Channel 95.9 FM in the Palm Beaches and 106.9 FM on the Treasure Coast as the morning show host in 2019. Tim’s “The Get Up and Go Show” was a morning staple, set apart by his his energy, and his love for music and his listeners. The show featured listener call-ins, live song requests, artist interviews, ticket giveaways, traffic and weather, and the greatest hits of all time.
”I am deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved “ByrdMan.” Tim was the captain of our team, the big brother we looked up too at the “True Oldies Channel,” and the voice that welcomed our listeners to our airwaves each morning,” said Vic Canales, president of VCMG Live. “He was a staple in the West Palm Beach community and the backbone of our organization. His memory will live on. I will sorely miss listening to him live on-air and seeing him each morning. My thoughts and prayers are with Sally and the family during this time.”
Tim always made time to help others and hosted galas, balls, fundraisers, tree lightings, benefits, and walks for more than two decades. Tim was especially proud of his affiliation with The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. He not only promoted the nonprofit’s causes, but frequently volunteered and participated in them.
Tim’s longtime manager and agent, Brian Morrow, met Tim in 1997 and they became close friends. “Tim kept his audience as if they were friends every day,” said Morrow. If anything happened in your life, you knew Tim Byrd would be there. He was a true professional, and a giant in charitable work.”
Tim met his wife Sally in 2003 at the annual Leukemia and Lymphoma Man and Women of the Year event. It was love at first sight. He cherished his bride each day throughout their 19-year marriage and was not shy about telling others about his love for Sally. He proposed at the Jupiter Beach Resort.
God was important in Tim’s life. His father was a pastor and instilled the power of faith and prayer. Tim and Sally were active members of Beacon Baptist Church located in Jupiter.
Services will be announced soon.
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