Ed Hardy

Ed Hardy, the media executive who expanded the reach of Great American Country (GAC) as its president, died on July 31, 2022. He was 73. Hardy worked at WJW Radio in Cleveland, Ohio, at the start of his career, then broadened his broadcasting footprint across the Pacific Northwest. After selling his radio group to Citadel Radio, he served as president and CEO of Measure Cast and consulted for MediaBlue/Nox. Joining GAC in 2004 after its acquisition by the Scripps Network, Hardy immediately fueled the cable channel’s growth nationally and negotiated a multi-year deal to broadcast the Grand Ole Opry. Following his retirement in 2012, he was recognized with the CMA Chairman’s Award in 2013 and the President’s Award from the Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc., in 2014.