02/22/2026
Duane Cissna has been part of the KYCC family for nearly 40 years. As a volunteer the entire time, Duane began training to be an On-Air host and program production technician at the Cherokee studio location back in June of 1986. As a program production technician, he would take recorded church or Sunday school messages and create programs with an opening and closing to be ready-to-air for the station. His first show, which was to be his Saturday Afternoon legacy at the station, was on July 19, 1986. Duane has been a Weekend Celebration Host on Saturday afternoons ever since.
Duane has filled various needs for the station over the years. You may have heard him through our New Music Promos, introducing new music added to our playlist on KYCC. He has been faithfully preparing these to Air every week for three decades now. Another time, you may have noticed Duane's contributions are for our Spring Forward or Fall Back from Daylight Savings time announcements. His clever ways to draw your attention to these events have been delighting listeners for decades. Duane and, recently, his lovely wife Kim have also been your main hosts for our annual KYCC New Year's Family Celebration, where we count down our top 50 songs played for the year. Duane took on that responsibility about 25 plus years ago. Recently, Duane has been stepping in to cover any weekday on-air host who was out for vacation or sick; he says he loves the change in his routine to hang out with our weekday listeners as well. Shirley Garner, current General Manager, indicated that Duane has always been the kind of servant who was eager to do whatever the station needed, whenever he was needed.
If you ask Duane why he has been part of KCJH/KYCC for all these years, he would say that it is the ministry first and music second. He is honored that the Lord used him, in this way, to touch lives and change hearts and to encourage and uplift our listeners through the Word of God. Asked what he does to prepare for each show, he shared that, before he opens the microphone for his first break, he prays over the music and the devotions he shares and then leaves the rest up to God. Trusting God to motivate those to listen at just the right moment and to be blessed by the music and programming of KYCC.
We asked Duane to share where God is leading him next. He shared that the Lord has put it on his heart to take on more responsibilities at his own church. He will be working with Bishop Mark Filkey at WestCoast Church, within their media department, as they begin to expand their reach to provide the Word of God in the media streams. He added that KYCC has been a part of his life for more years than it has not. He was 28 years old when he started and now, at 68, is so grateful to have been part of the things God is sharing through this ministry.
Duane will certainly be missed at KYCC, and his faithful, kind, and loving voice, as well by our loyal listeners. As Shirley Garner has said, Duane has stored up multiple chests of treasure in heaven for his many years of faithful service. His last on-air show will be Saturday, February 28th, from 1 to 6 pm. He has packed the show with many of his favorite songs, so it will prove to be a very special send-off. He said there are a few musical surprises in the three o'clock hour for the Christmas fans out there. Also, Kim will be joining him in that same hour to do one last National Day with him. So set an alarm on your phone to tune in and catch Duane's last broadcast after nearly 40 years with KYCC, February 28th from 1 to 6 pm.
