After nearly 25 years on the air in Central New York, longtime Syracuse radio personality Big Smoothie is off the K-Rock lineup. The host — whose real name is Jamie Hantke — announced on social media that Thursday marked his final shift with the Galaxy Media-owned rock station.
In an emotional Instagram video, he told followers that he had been informed he was no longer employed at K-Rock, eight years after joining the brand.
“I was informed today that I am no longer employed at K-Rock and was let go,” Hantke said. “I want to be totally honest with you: I’m at peace right now. It’s a strange feeling.” He added that over the years, he had heard repeatedly that he “didn’t belong in” the industry or wasn’t “good enough” to keep doing radio, yet he continued to carve out a place anyway.
Hantke, 46, joined K-Rock as a part-time DJ in 2017 before moving into a full-time role in 2020. Before that, he spent two long stints at 95X, where he worked from 2001 to 2006 and again from 2009 to 2017.
His departure from 95X — a moment he thought might end his broadcast career — led Galaxy to give him what he describes as a second chance.
“I knew I still had more to give in this business,” he told syracuse.com. Although he admitted the exit was “not exactly how I wanted to go out,” he said he wasn’t reacting with the same frustration he might have felt in his 20s or 30s. With more experience, he said he understands the cyclical nature of the radio industry. Knowing this type of moment eventually comes for most.
Galaxy Media owner Ed Levine confirmed Hantke’s departure, saying he had “moved on” from the company. Levine added that Bender, a familiar voice from sister station TK99 (WTKW-FM), will take over the weekday 3-7 p.m. slot Hantke had held since early 2020.
Looking back, Hantke pointed to several highlights from his career, including a trip to the British Virgin Islands in 2005, numerous live events, and years spent interacting with fans at the New York State Fair. Whether there will be another chapter for “Big Smoothie” on the airwaves remains unclear, but the door isn’t completely closed.
“So listen, if you’ve joined this journey recently. If you’ve been on this journey since day one, I appreciate all of you,” he told followers. “Whether Big Smoothie is dead and gone, I don’t know. But always remember: Big Smoothie was only an extension of Jamie Hantke.”
For now, he said, he’s staying rooted in Syracuse. The city where he grew up, played football at Corcoran High School and Cayuga Community College, and built a career that lasted far longer than he once expected.
“I love this town,” he said. “Being a kid that grew up in the city, you don’t always get opportunities to make yourself into something.”
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