John Richards is an American radio personality. Originally from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, he grew up in Spokane, Washington before moving to Seattle.[1] He is the host and producer of The Morning Show on 90.3 FM KEXP Seattle, Washington.[2] He is also KEXP's director of programming[3] and is referred to on air as "John in the Morning". His show is on weekday mornings from 7AM-10AM PST, and often begins with the theme song written specifically for The Morning Show by local Seattle musician Damien Jurado.[4]
Richards works on a number of music projects outside of radio. He hosted the music video program The Local Music Show on the local Seattle Channel.[5]
Richards created International Clash Day in 2013 "for no other reason than the fact that he could."[6] It is now celebrated across the world, not only in the State of Washington, but in Austin, Ithaca, Kent, San Francisco, Seattle, Tucson, Vancouver B.C., Bridgwater (UK), and Washington D.C.[7]
Richards has done an annual "Mom Show" since 2004: On November 13, the anniversary of his mother's death, his show features song requests and messages from listeners that deal with the shared experience of grief.[8]
Richards' annual "Songs of Love and Hate" show features "songs of yearning, lust, loss, and heartbreak"[9] on Valentine's Day.