Joey Mitchell, local radio legend who ruled Sacramento airwaves for half-century, dies at 77
Joey Mitchell, the beloved radio disc jockey whose legendary career in Sacramento radio spanned a half-century, has died.
MItchell died Sunday at a local hospital, family at his side. He was 77. The cause was interstitial lung disease, a lung condition complicated by double pneumonia, family members announced in a statement posted to social media.
“Joey’s warm presence will be dearly missed, but his impact on the community and the lives he touched will continue to resonate,” the family’s statement read. “He would have wanted to extend a personal farewell to each individual he met, thanking them for their friendship and support throughout his journey if he could.”
Mitchell’s death marks the passing of a Sacramento radio giant, a popular personality during a golden age of broadcasting when marquee names shone brightly on both radio and television, before cable, then social media, atomized the local media market.
Country, pop and oldies: For a half-century, Mitchell’s voice was the sound of KRAK 1140 AM, Cool Oldies 101.1 FM and K-HITS 101.5 FM. His visage fit the voice, a thick sweep of hair, a smile behind his mustache.
Mitchell studied business at Iona University in New York state and went to the same New York City high school, Power Memorial Academy, as another legend, Lew Alcindor, later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
But the New York City native found his voice and career in California, starting out as an afternoon disc jockey at San Fernando FM station KVFM in 1969. A short stint in Riverside led to his long career and legendary status in Sacramento.
For 20 years, from 1975 to 1995, he was the morning show host of Sacramento’s 50,000-watt country powerhouse KRAK 1140. It was behind its mics that he would be named trade magazine Billboard’s Medium Market Country DJ of the Year in 1988.
“When I came to country music, I knew nothing — I was from Manhattan, doo-wop and all that,” Mitchell told Comstock’s Magazine in a 2021 interview marking his 50 years in radio. “When I came to KRAK, first thing I said was that I knew nothing about country music except that I liked it, and if I say something stupid, I’m not trying to be a wise guy. By saying that, I incorporated the audience into the show.”
A Sacramento icon, Mitchell was the dashboard companion for countless listeners who traveled up and down the Golden State.
“Joey Mitchell, King of the Country DJ’s,” Blandon Barmby posted to Facebook. “I grew up listening to you on the AM radio, traveling with my dad to rodeos all over California. Some of my best memories and you were right there in the truck with us.”
Mitchell was off-air as he was on, family said — a warm, generous presence who cared and gave passionately to his community and the causes he believed in. Children struck a special chord.
Donations, family said, should go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Mitchell’s name.
“This gesture would be a fitting tribute to Joey’s generous spirit and his lifelong commitment to bringing happiness to others, especially children facing challenging circumstances,” his family said. “Let us honor Joey’s memory by spreading laughter, kindness and fulfilling the wishes of children in need, just as he would have wished.”
He also operated an advertising company, Joey Mitchell Productions and was working on a podcast of his years of celebrity interviews. His last day on air for K-Hits 101.5 FM was three years ago this week, March 26, 2021.
Mitchell in the 2021 Comstock’s interview reflected on the road he traveled during a half-century in local radio.
“I thought I was just doing my stupid stuff on the radio, but realized I had touched a lot of lives,” Mitchell said. “I had to take a deep breath. What an amazing opportunity I’ve had.”
A celebration of life will be planned at a later date, his family said.
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