CD101's Andyman Remembered By Friends, Co-Workers

Video Photos

Next Image > < Previous Image

Photo of John Andrew "Andyman" Davis taped to the window of the CD101 studios in the Brewery District. Listeners, colleagues and fans have been lighting candles in his memory.
Memorial board for Andyman, outside the studios of CD-101.
CD-101 Studios in the Brewery District. A small memorial for Andyman sits on the sidewalk.
One of the microphones at CD101 where Andyman led the annual, 48-hour fundraising effort dubbed "Andyman-a-thon." He raised tens of thousands of dollars for local children's charities.
John Andrew "Andyman" Davis Credit: CD101

By: Marshall McPeek | NBC4i.com
Published: July 19, 2010

COLUMBUS, Ohio --

Andyman is gone.

The legendary CD-101 personality drowned Sunday while enjoying a family vacation in Michigan. Friends say he was an accomplished swimmer who swam almost every day for fitness.

John Andrew Davis had been a CD-101 fixture -- and fan favorite -- since 1991. He became the station's Program Director in 1998 and was the voice of the station's weekday-afternoon programming. On several occasions, fans voted him "Columbus' favorite DJ."

CD-101's Sunday night programming was dedicated to Andyman's favorite music and artists. The mics were open for friends and colleagues who stopped by the studios for an impromptu wake. They shared stories and memories and recalled some of the incredible work he did for local charities.

The fundraising "Andyman-a-thons" were renowned. Each year, near Christmas, he stayed on the air for 48 hours at a time, often raising more than $50,000. Every dollar was donated to Central-Ohio charities benefiting children. Record companies often sent gifts to entice donors to give larger gifts.

"They knew the passion that Andy had and how much he cared. And it really showed with everything he did and how he treated everybody," says Randy Malloy, WWCD's General Manager. "It was something that Andy felt so strongly about that he never missed it."

His generosity and passion have become their own non-profit, "CD101 for the Kids." Colleagues say they plan to continue the tradition in Andyman's memory and to continue his legacy of giving back to the community.

"We're a very close family here," says Malloy. He worked with Andyman for more than 18 years and was one of the first people to get the tragic news. "It's numb. It's very hard to process."

Monday's on-air programming was dedicated to remembering Andyman. Listeners shared their thoughts via e-mail, Facebook and phone. Weekday host Leslie James did her best to fight back tears each time her microphone was clicked on.

"Here's Cold Play. I know Andyman would want us to play some music," she said during one, brief monologue.

"This is what he would want, so, that's why I'm here and I'm doing my best to pull it together," she told an NBC 4 crew Monday morning. "A lot of us think it's a dream, y'know. We're going to wake up and walk in tomorrow morning, walk by his office and say, 'Good morning, Andyman!' I think we're all in shock."

The tears flow easily.

"He's a wonderful man. We're going to miss him," she says. "Columbus truly lost an icon."

Even with the offices closed for the day, friends and former co-workers continue to visit the CD101 studios. They sit around the office kitchen, consoling one another, telling stories and sharing an occasional, muted laugh. They're thankful to have so many happy memories of their time with Andyman.

A small memorial sits on the sidewalk outside the CD-101 studios in the Brewery District. A photo of a smiling Andyman is taped to a window. Listeners and friends have been lighting candles and leaving messages on a whiteboard.

"Andy was a good friend to Columbus music," wrote Dan D.
"You will be missed," wrote another.
"We love you," wrote another fan, using a heart in place of the letter O.

Funeral arrangements are still pending.