Renowned Latin radio DJ Renán Almendarez Coello, better known as El Cucuy de la Mañana, is leaving his morning slot at Los Angeles station La Raza (KLAX, 97.9 FM). Almendarez, recognized as one of the premiere figures in Spanish language broadcasting, had been at the Spanish Broadcasting System-owned station for the past five years with his show, “El Cucuy de la Mañana.”
Almendarez’s 5-10 a.m. morning slot will now be taken over by hit Chicago morning show “El Chulo de la Mañana,” which airs on SBS station WLEY La Ley (107.9 FM), and which will simulcast live on La Rza beginning Sept. 16. “El Chulo de la Mañana” is hosted by the Joaquin Garza, also known as “El Chulo.” Garza was a speaker at the Billboard Latin Music Conference last April.
Almendarez’s publicist, Penny Raile, says Almendarez has no plans to go on-air at another station anytime soon, but instead, will concentrate on other ventures, including “Azte Pa ca,” a TV variety show he hosts Saturday nights on the Azteca network and building up his own radio network.
But El Cucuy’s manager Jose Denis told Billboard.biz that the morning host was seeking a new syndication partner.
Almendarez co-owns a radio station in New Mexico, KKNS (La 1310-AM) in Albuquerque. He also owns a fledgling record label, Michel Productions, and contributes to multiple philanthropic projects via his El Cucuy Foundation.
