Dave Pratt is an American radio personality, known to his fans as the "Morning Mayor,"[1] as well as a humanitarian and author. At KZON, he was one of the original shock jocks.[2] His show Dave Pratt in the Morning became the longest running rock and roll morning show in the United States.[3] Pratt has sold more than 100,000 albums with his band (Sex Machine Band[4]), headlining sold-out shows in major venues throughout Arizona.[3]
The sobriquet "Morning Mayor" was given to him by Attorney General Terry Goddard.[5]
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Pratt began his career at the age of 16 on KELK in his hometown of Elko, Nevada.[4] He subsequently worked at 98 KUPD where he stayed for 20 years. Pratt keyed much of his persona around underwear, a schtick he borrowed from Phoenix radio legend Jonathon Brandmeier. Brandmeier also had a band he toured Arizona with. Brandmeier rose to fame in Phoenix BEFORE Pratt did, so it would seem Pratt is a bit of a Brandmeier clone.
In January 2002, Pratt joined Howard Stern on CBS Radio’s alternative rock station KZON. Switching from rock to country in 2003,[4] he hosted Dave Pratt in the Morning on KMLE Country 108 until he was retrenched by the network in 2008[6] Pratt's time slot was given to "Tim and Willy."[7] In May 2011, Dave Pratt started webcasting "Dave Pratt Live". His no-format show can be heard on DavePrattLive.com[8] weekday mornings from 6AM to 9AM. iPhone, Blackberry, and Android apps are also available. His "show" can also be heard on KEDJ "X 103.9" which has caused the station to plummet in the local ratings.
Pratt battled prostate cancer in 2005.[4]
Pratt was the 2009 Celebrity Grand Marshal for the VA Veterans Day Parade.[9] He was also inducted into the Arizona Broadcasters Hall of Fame that same year.[3]
He and his wife Paula reside in Paradise Valley, Arizona.[4][3] They have four children.
Pratt is constant fodder for KUPD's Holmberg's Morning Sickness.
Pratt published an autobiography, titled Behind the Mic: 30 Years in Radio,[1] the proceeds of which benefit the American Cancer Society. The book received mixed reviews. Many readers thought that his confession of a life long addiction to purchasing women's underwear was grotesque page filler, while other readers perceived it has a bold step to get help for an obvious problem.[10]