The radio host died at the age of 56 in February 2025, a few months after his co-hosting duties for ‘The Ace & TJ Show’ ended.
David “Ace” Cannon, known for co-hosting “The Ace & TJ Show” until late 2024, died in February 2024. He was reportedly 56 years old. Cannon was widely popular in Charlotte, North Carolina, as the radio show, which he co-hosted with Ritchie ‘TJ’ Beams, originated from the area. It was recently renamed “The TJ & Riggins Show” after Cannon’s co-hosting duties abruptly ended in late 2024. As fans grieve the loss of the radio personality, many want to know what happened to him.
In a statement posted to Instagram on February 4, 2025, “The TJ & Riggins Show” account wrote, “Our prayers are with our brother. We are devastated by this news.” They also asked viewers to keep Cannon’s family in mind, adding, “We love you, Ace,” at the end of their statement.
Learn more about Cannon and his radio career below.
Who Was David ‘Ace’ Cannon?
Co-hosting “The Ace & TJ Show” from the 1990s to 2024 helped Cannon – known by his nickname, “Ace,” — skyrocket to local fame in Charlotte. Ace and TJ had been collaborators since 1993 before their breakfast comedy show gradually became a long-time staple for Charlotte listeners.
Outside of his radio career, Cannon was a husband and a father. Cannon and his wife, Amanda, were reportedly separated at the time of his death. The couple share one son together, and Cannon was a father to another son, whom he shared with his first wife, Shonnette, according to the Daily Mail. Additionally, Cannon lost his late daughter, Payton, when she was 21 in a tragic car accident, which motivated him to create the nonprofit “Payton’s Promise.”
Did Ace Quit ‘The Ace & TJ Show’?
According to multiple outlets, Cannon suddenly left “The Ace & TJ Show” in September 2024, which his former co-host seemingly acknowledged in an Instagram statement at the time.
“I know you are all looking for more information about the changes we have made with our show, but we cannot give further details,” TJ wrote via Instagram on the show’s official account. “To the many Radio Family members who have shared your lives with us and given us your support through the years, I’d just like to say thank you. We have been forced to make changes quickly, and we know we are still going to bring you a quality show. We just ask that you give us a chance. One of our affiliate stations has decided not to give us that chance. It also happens to be the biggest one, K 104.7, our flagship station in our home market of Charlotte, North Carolina.”
TJ encouraged their Charlotte fans to “continue to listen by streaming or downloading the entire show every day.”
It’s still unclear why Ace decided to leave the radio program after his decades-long collaboration with TJ.
What Happened to Ace?
A cause of Death for Cannon has not been revealed. His sister, Piper Wilson, broke the news of Ace’s death via social media, according to Fox 8.