As many of you may have heard, our dear friend and former KXCI DJ, Susan Banes, Susie B., passed on August 19, 2025. Susie B. was a beloved presence on KXCI for many years, hosting the Friday Afternoon Music Mix and sharing her passion for music, community, and her canine companions.

Susie B. interviewed scores of women on her Sunday public affairs program Broad Perspectives Radio. Just this week, we were reminded of her powerful impact when singer songwriter Dar Williams told Music Director Duncan Hudson that her first radio interview was with Susie B. She was also a talented drummer with the local band The Wayback Machine and produced concerts with artists such as Ubaka Hill.

After moving to Durango, Colorado in 2015, Susie B. pursued her dream of creating a dog training and boarding space. She quickly found a new home on the airwaves of the Four Corners station KSUT, where she became a DJ in 2015. She also joined the Durango rock and pop group Drama Club, bringing her energy and rhythm to yet another stage.

Susie B. was deeply committed to uplifting women’s voices, most recently launching Women Be Wise, a Sunday show on KSUT dedicated to celebrating female artists. Though she had made a new home in Durango, she stayed connected to KXCI—popping into DJ chats or surprising us with a call to the studio. 

It’s hard to believe that Susie B. moved away from Tucson 10 years ago because she made such a lasting impact on so many lives. 

Susie B.’s humor, positivity, and unmistakable laugh will be dearly missed. We like to imagine her now—dancing, drumming, and singing with the same joy she brought to us all.