The news comes from the 89.3 WFPL website. Bickers was a host on 89.3 WFPL and 91.9 WFPK for nearly 20 years. He died Thursday. He was 45 years old. Those who knew him best described him as affable, funny, and engaging. With an encyclopedic knowledge of pop culture, Bickers hosted a variety of Louisville Public Media programs. On WFPL, Bickers hosted and produced a long-running literary talk show called On Second Thought. Most recently, he was the local voice of NPR’s Morning Edition. He left Louisville Public Media earlier this year.
“James was our renaissance man: music lover, writer, philosopher, humorist and resident pop culture nerd,” said Stacy Owen, WFPK program director and longtime colleague. “We loved him for these many talents and admired his kind nature and obvious love for his family. Our hearts are breaking.”
WFPK Music Director Kyle Meredith, said, “James had a brilliant sense of humor and wit. He and I were both fans of broken jokes and would trade them as often as possible. I’m grateful that, Wednesday at the hospital, I was able to throw one back at him, my favorite of the ones he had taught me: Do you know what’s green and has three wheels? Grass. I lied about the wheels.”
Bickers is survived by his wife, Nancy, and their three children
