Beloved national radio personality Kim (Brosche) Leslie approached life with a sense of whimsy and an enduring passion for the people, causes and music she loved.

She died on Oct. 9, 2026, from Lewy body dementia in Gallatin, TN. But that is not how she lived; hers was a loud, technicolor lifetime that touched millions and helped shape the music industry.

Born on May 11, 1962, in Bronxville, NY, Leslie found her voice early and then used it to create change and connect with millions of people through her wry observations, thought-provoking interviews and gal-pal authenticity. Behind the scenes her career spanned programming, record label promotion, syndicated radio production and industry relations.

She grew up in New York and was involved in theater throughout her childhood and teenage years. Although she initially wanted to study theater in college, her father preferred that she pursue business. They compromised on communications, and she discovered radio while in college at Dean College and then the University of Maryland at College Park.

Her first professional job was as a traffic reporter for Metro Traffic Control supplying reports to approximately 25 radio stations. The position introduced her to broadcasting and led to a full-time on-air opportunity at country station WMZQ in Washington, D.C.

Growing up in New York, Leslie had little exposure to country music and initially associated it with all the familiar stereotypes. Between traffic reports she began listening to the station. Hearing Kathy Mattea’s “Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses” sparked an interest that eventually became a professional focus.

She moved to Nashville to work at lauded WSM-FM as an afternoon host and Music Director, where she won the 1996 Billboard/Airplay Monitor award for Music Director of the Year.

She was a fervent advocate for the creators – the artists and songwriters – and developed meaningful relationships with some of the industry’s top storytellers. A desire to contribute to the positioning and launch of new talent and established stars landed her at Asylum Records, where she contributed to the careers of Emmylou Harris, Guy Clark and Bryan White among others.

In 2001, she parlayed her radio station and record label experience into a position with the Country Music Association as Senior Manager of Industry Relations.

At CMA she oversaw broadcast-award activities including station and personality recognition and the creation of the CMA National Broadcast Personality of the Year award. She served as agenda chairperson for Country Radio Seminar in 2001 and oversaw CMA’s

popular, artist-driven CRS luncheons. She was also instrumental in the annual CMA Awards radio remotes and rethinking the trade-association’s radio directory, turning it into an in-depth and user-friendly resource, the CMA Industry Directory.

Driven by new challenges and an unrelenting desire to make a difference, in 2003 she left CMA to co-host afternoons with Dean Warfield at Nashville country station WKDF, where she also served as Music Director.

She served as Director of Talent Relations for “Country Live Tonight,” a highly regarded live syndicated radio program and in 2007 she made the switch from local host to national, syndicated voice at Sirius Satellite. She helmed the Prime Country channel from noon to 6:00 PM while also joining Mix 92.9’s morning show as co-host. She stayed a market leader at the AC station for more than a decade – including repeatedly being named the No.1 morning show in Music City.

In addition to working with some of the most respected organizations in the industry, Leslie was also a volunteer and served on the Country Radio Broadcasters Board of Directors for almost a decade. She also nurtured her own imprints including a voice over company and Music Row Media Training, where she helped a number of artists hone their personal stories and interview skills.

A lover of children, pets, lighthouses and the coast of Maine, Leslie remained a creative force throughout her life. She was a gifted singer and actor and was regularly cast for Nashville theatrical productions at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. She was also a visual artist creating elaborate and quirky pen-and-ink scenes as well as colorful acrylic dreamscapes.

She was naturally funny, fueled by imagination and completely devoted to her family and circle of friends. She is survived by her husband Alan Brosche; son, Nick Brosche and his wife Abby Brosche; son, Ryan Brosche; grandchildren, Jack Brosche, Sully Brosche and Willow Brosche; her mother, Dawn Spitz; sisters Pamela Montgomery, Dawn Beaver, Leslie Spitz and Janice Graham; brother, Jon Spitz; and wife-in-law, Lisa Brosche.

A service celebrating her legacy and lasting love will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, which provides education and support for individuals living with the disorder, their families and healthcare professionals, at https://lbda.org/donate.