Longtime KNCI Radio Host Pat Still Retires After 33 Years

The End of an Era as Sacramento's Morning Radio Landscape Evolves

Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:53am

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After a nearly 50-year career in radio, beloved KNCI morning host Pat Still is retiring, marking the end of an era for Sacramento listeners. Still's departure symbolizes the broader shifts happening in the industry as radio grapples with the rise of digital streaming, podcasts, and changing listener habits.

Why it matters

Still's retirement represents the changing dynamics of morning radio, as stations like KNCI must now compete with global audio platforms for listeners. While the democratization of content has opened new doors, it also risks homogenizing the listening experience and diluting the sense of community that radio once fostered.

The details

Pat Still first teamed up with co-host Tom Mailey in the early 1990s, and the duo became a staple of Sacramento mornings, eventually earning a spot in the Country Radio Hall of Fame. Still's longevity and connection with listeners speaks to radio's ability to cultivate loyalty, but the fast-paced digital landscape poses new challenges. Cody Robinson and Joe Maumee will continue the morning show after Still's retirement, inheriting a very different media environment.

  • Pat Still is retiring in April 2026 after 33 years on KNCI.
  • Still and Tom Mailey were a morning show duo in the early 1990s.

The players

Pat Still

A longtime radio personality who is retiring from his morning show at KNCI after nearly 50 years in the industry.

Tom Mailey

Pat Still's former co-host, with whom he formed a popular morning show duo in the early 1990s.

Cody Robinson

The new host who will continue the KNCI morning show after Pat Still's retirement.

Joe Maumee

The new host who will continue the KNCI morning show after Pat Still's retirement.

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What they’re saying

“Radio personalities like Still and Mailey were more than just voices on the airwaves; they were companions, confidants, and community figures. Their ability to stay relevant for decades speaks to their adaptability and the trust they built with listeners.”

— Amb. Frankie Simonis, Author

“If stations can find a way to preserve that personal touch while embracing new technology, they might just stand a chance.”

— Amb. Frankie Simonis, Author

What’s next

KNCI will host a special farewell event for Pat Still on his final day on the air in April 2026.

The takeaway

Pat Still's retirement marks the end of an era for Sacramento radio, but it also presents an opportunity to reimagine what the medium can be in the digital age. As radio stations adapt to changing listener habits, preserving the human connection that made personalities like Still so beloved will be crucial to their success.