On February 4th, 2012, we were devastated to learn that our co-worker, Program Director, longtime family member and faithful friend, David Hall, had passed away.
David’s steadfast professionalism and charm were hallmarks of his time at the helm of Lightning 100. He was THE face and THE voice of Nashville rock radio and Lightning 100, spanning decades at the microphone. He was a fierce advocate of many Nashville artists you hear on Lightning 100, a role which he relished as “David Hall Rocks Y’all,” every weekday afternoon. He brought them to Nashville radio and the rest of the world via live broadcast and the internet every Sunday with Nashville Sunday Night. In local music, David championed everyone from Jason & the Scorchers in the 80’s, The Evinrudes and Leigh Nash in the 1990s, to Gabe Dixon and Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, in 2012.
Prior to his work at Lightning 100, Nashville radio listeners knew David, a Kentucky native, from his years at WKDF-FM, which was one of the south’s legendary rock stations during his employment there, from 1980 -1988. David also broadcast as part of the 1988 -1993 line-up at Classic Rock WGFX “The Fox,” before coming to Lightning 100.In the coming days we will mourn the loss of our loyal friend and celebrate his life and contributions to the Nashville music scene.
Related Lightning 100 posts:
This past Sunday Night, I told my wife, Leslie, who owns Magic 1560, WMRO, along with me and my mother, Sandra, that I saw the breaking news about David on News Channel 5. I’ve have been in the radio business for 31 years now. I remember listening to David Hall on the old WABD-FM (now WCVQ, Q-108) in the Clarksville Market. I listen to him on 103 KDF, while I was working at WVOL/92Q in Nashville, before me and my late Dad, William “Bill” Bailey and I purchased WMRO-AM 1560.
I will say that David smooth voice, his talents, and his knowledge of knowing how to do “True AOR” Radio, moved me, and were an influence on me as I was coming up in the ranks of this business.
This past July, Lightning 100 and Magic 1560 lost Melissa Alexander-Manning, who was Promotions Director at Lighting 100 and Sales Manager of Magic 1560, WMRO in Gallatin from 2004-2006. I am sadden that now Lightning 100 has lost two good people. We may have not seen “eye to eye” on how we wanted to program our stations, but this is not a perfect world, God made it this way, and these things happen for a reason that we humans cannot explain. Only our creator knows!
Today, Monday, I have been sort of depressed over the loss of David Hall and Melissa Alexander-Manning. I never got to met David, but we both knew who each other was, and all I can say is that he was a talented, professional man,that this industry is losing because of big Corporate Radio Giants, like Clear Channel.
In conclusion, I could go on and on, but to David, may God be with You as you walk in to the Gates of Heaven, and be with the others we have lost in this business. David is now in a better place, but he will be missed by all of us in the radio industry and his listeners over the years.
Scott Bailey
President/General Manager
WMRO Radio, Magic 1560
Gallatin, TN
I just still feel so stunned. Although I’ve listened to David Hall and WRLT since day one, I never met him. It’s the same kind of loss I felt when WSMV’s Dan Miller died suddenly. Another long-time, comforting voice has been silenced.
I am saddened by the news of the passing of David Hall. I met David once or twice but feel as if I have known him since 1994 when I moved to Nashville and fell in love with this radio station. I will miss “David Hall rocks yall”. My heart goes out to his family and the Ligtning 100 family.
I was so sad to hear about the passing of this awesome man. My thoughts are with everyone at my favorite radio station, and most definitely with the family of David Hall. May you rest in peace and meet even more amazing musicians in the next world.
I heard Wells filling in for David announcing his passing, and trying to hold it together while announcing his tribute and playing “Blackbird” by The Beatles. I feel the same way, brother, and I only knew David from his show, and the occasional concerts. We moved here a decade ago, and instantly fell I love with WRLT, and the spirit of independent music that it brings to those of us lucky enough to live close by.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to David’s family
When I moved to Nashville he was on the air at KDF, and when I left Nashville in 2009 he was on the air at Lightning 100….I don’t know Nashville without him, a part of my life for 20+ years…a true voice.
I would like to express my sincere, deepest sympathy to David’s co-workers, his friends and his family. David has been my favorite voice on the radio since his KDF days. His death is truly a loss to all Nashville music lovers.
I remember working with him when I was an intern at Lightning 100. You were remembered and will be missed. My condolences to the family. Peace be with you at this troubing time.
I have been listening to rock in Nashville for many years, and David Hall has always been the true champion of great rock and roll in this city. His steady, knowledgeable voice will be missed. Nashville has lost a radio icon. Condolences to David’s family and friends. R.I.P David Hall.
We will truly miss you. David Hall you “rocked us all”. Our prayers are with you, your family, and Lightening 100.
R.I.P. radio friend. You will be missed but celebrated.
Just have to say Thank You, David Hall, for rockin’ us all so sweetly for all these years. Your radio personality has always been a true friend and inspiration for so many. You’re one cool Nashville Cat!!!!!
Thank you for culturizing us with some awesome music. You surely did rock us all! Thank you for the tunes, friend…
Just couldn’t let this day pass without saying thank you David Hall for rockin’ us all for all these years. You were one cool Nashville Cat!!!
Thanks again for sharing all that awesome music with us all, David Hall, you did rock us all! Thank You, radio friend.
R.I.P. David Hall. You will be missed.
RIP David,
Can we get some Boomtown Rats – I don’t like Mondays
Hearing David say,”David Hall Rocks Ya’ll!” is one of the reasons I wanted to work at KDF! Just sounded like an awesome place…and it was, and so was David. Even in more recent years I spoke with him at 3rd & Linsley…if he ever lost his passion for music, I didn’t know about it. Rest in Peace brother.
David Hall Rocks Ya’ll…1 of the reasons I wanted to work at KDF! It was great seeing him at 3rd & Linsley…if he ever lost his passion for music…I didn’t see it. Rest in Peace my brother.
I can barely remember a time when David Hall was not a part of Nashville radio. We have lost the best DJ this city will ever know. My thoughts & prayers are with David’s family & the staff at Lightening 100. Rock on, David – you will be greatly missed.
We know this is the toughest time of your day today. Stay strong Lightning 100 family. Our hearts ache with yours.
Although I never met David, I feel like a good friend has passed just in listening to him on the radio all these years in Nashville. My condolences to all those who did know him….. his family and friends.
RIP my “vocal” friend.
Vaya con dios, my friend.. Godspeed..
new to Nashville, I happily found lightning 100 on the dial. A great radio station much in part because of David. I never met David but feel a great sadness none the less that his voice has been silenced. A great loss for his family and the larger Nashville community. My deepest sympathys.
I am just so sad today as I know everyone at WRLT is. I know David was the voice and feeling behind the idea of the fabulous independent radio station we are so lucky to have here in Nashville, and I hope his dream and legacy continues, as I’m sure it will. His loss will leave a huge void, but he touched a lot of folks and kept the spirit of independent music alive and well in an industry that does not honor true independent artists. My heart goes out to all of you who were fortunate to have worked closely with him, as I know you’ve lost a good friend.
I’m so sorry for David’s family. That includes his extended family at lighting. David’s passing is a huge loss for us, his loyal listners. He will not be forgotten.
Thank you David. You rocked us.
Phil
David was a sweet soul, a pleasure to work with and I am honored to have known him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and many, many friends during this bewildering and difficult time.
Lightning 100 is such a treasure – an independent station that brings a great variety of music to Nashville. David was an equally independent dj and a champion for local music & musicians. My thoughts are with David’s family, both inside and outside the station, and may you all support each other during this difficult time. Thank you David!
and flocks of Angels sing thee to thy rest.
a great voice has been silenced today in music city. thanks for the music. RIP, David Hall.
I have known David for 35 years. He was a kind and caring soul. He spent much time with me and my family. I shall treasure my memories of our good times together.
Good Bye dear heart. God Bless You David.
David Hall Rocks Y’all! He brings back many positive memories from my many years at MTSU. The phrase-David Hall Rocks Y’all, takes on a whole new meaning. RIP David Hall.
Music City lost a great music ambassador and a great man. RIP, David, you were one of the best.
Music on the radio is such an important part of life. Where would we be without it? Like so many in Nashville, while I never met David Hall in person, I knew him well through his wonderful voice on WRLT radio and consider him a special friend. He was there for me every afternoon on the drive home and on Sunday nights to wind down the weekend. He brought so much of that special joy of independent radio to my life. His knowledge and dedication to his craft was inspiring. Words cannot fully express my deep appreciation toward him for how much he enriched all of our lives. It is so very sad that he will no longer be there filling those moments for us. Thank you for the many wonderful years, David Hall. As a longtime dedicated listener, I will always remember you, and truly miss you, as a very special friend.
David Hall will be missed by many here in Nashville. I remember him from the KDF days then to Fox 104.5 then to WRLT 100. We all loved to listen to him in High school and beyond. He will be greatly missed on our airwaves and in our lives. God Bless and watch over David’s family and friends during this time.
From all of us at the WSM-AM radio family to all at Lightning 100 our deepest sympathy to you and David’s family. Thanks for being the true champions of local radio.
It’s strange to know that I’ll miss someone that I never met or even knew what he looked like. Yet, David and his voice were part of my daily routine for as long as I can remember. I’ll miss hearing you David. RIP.
I’ve know David from his first days at KDF and what a wonderful man he is. Always the gentleman and true professional. He will leave a void in the hearts of many and the airways of this city. RIP my brother.
David Hall is truly a music king here in Nashville and the outlying areas. He introduced so many wonderful bands and songs. May he rest in peace and his family know that Middle Tennessee is better for all he has shared.
Damn, what awful news. David’s passion for music touched many, many, people – and that passion will live on, and continue to be felt. It’s hard, if not impossible, to picture Nashville radio without him. RIP.
Nashville radio lost a great one. David Hall was everything I loved about rock radio. Steady, powerful, yet warm voice…and a great jock. RIP
RIP David. You will be greatly missed.
Very sad to see this news. I loved listening to him while living in Nashville and online since leaving the great city. Thanks for introducing me to some awesome music, and here’s hoping WRLT can carry on the awesomeness David Hall brought. David Hall Rocks Y’all.
Nashville has lost a legend and a friend. Although most of my music listening today is through an iPod, Pandora, or Sirius Satellite Radio, I remember 30 years of David Hall, especially his love for the Beatles. He will be missed. My thoughts are with his family.
So sad. I listen at work here in Florida almost every day…This has remained my hometown Nashville connection. Thanks for all the great music, David Hall.
David was the first DJ to play a record I was a part of – someone who loved the “no name” – The indie-champion. You will be greatly missed.
My condolences. David Hall is truly an icon in Nashville’s rock scene. His contributions and loyalty are second to none. I only imagine the artists I would never have been exposed to were it not for his efforts.
Rock on, David Hall.
So sad to hear of David’s passing. To me he was Lightning 100. Remember his good works and good ways and continue Lightning 100 in the tradition that he established and he will shine his blessings down on you. Prayers to his friends and family.
David Hall will be missed by us all. Even our little kids know who he was, cause he “Rocks ya’ll!” Because of David, we listen online, when we leave town, go to work, knowing we will hear the greatest, newest, local, independent music. Never forget what he has done for Nashville and music everywhere!
So few cities are as fortunate as Nashville to have a radio station like Lightning 100, where the music is locally programmed by people who care about music, and David Hall was synonymous with Lightning 100. From hosting his radio show to hosting Sunday evenings at 3rd & Lindsley, you could tell David’s life passion was quality music and there was no bigger advocate for local Nashville musicians than David Hall. He is irreplaceable and will be dearly missed.
David Hall will be greatly missed. To Lightning 100 and David’s family, I’m so sorry for your loss. Keeping you all in my thoughts during this truly difficult time.
i am so saddened to hear this news. been a fan of david hall since the KDF days. he will be greatly missed. prayers go out to his family, friends, co-workers and fans.
Given he was such a Beatles/George fan, would love to hear “All Things Must Pass” in his honor/memory…