After ten years helming KCRW's wildly successful morning show “Morning Becomes Eclectic,” Nic Harcourt has announced that he's stepping aside, and is ending his gig as the station's music director, as well. Harcourt, whose ear has helped launch the careers of many of music's heavy hitters (most famously, Coldplay, Norah Jones and Dido) will host a weekly Sunday evening show on the station, where he'll no doubt continue to break bands.

More important than launching careers, though, Harcourt's been an influential ear-worm for the west coast entertainment biz; each track that floats through the airwaves lands in the heads of Hollywood's music supervisors, directors, ad creatives, screenwriters and composers, all of whom are constantly looking for musical inspiration. And in a city that spends much of its time in cars, KCRW's audience is often captive. (We wish more people would steal from Lauren's KXLU playlists.) Those obscure gems that land on Grey's Anatomy and Heroes, that become key moments in climactic scenes, don't just pop into the slots automatically, and you can hear Harcourt's aesthetic every time a scene fades to credits and a song pops up.

Harcourt's had a busy side gig as a music supervisor, and no doubt he'll cash in on his aesthetic and experience to get bigger and better gigs. Which brings us to the next big question: Who's going to take the spot that's only had three hosts in its 31-year history? (Harcourt started in 1998; Chris Douridas from 1990 – 1998; and Tom Schnabel debuted the show in July of 1979).

“Nic is a hard act to follow”, said station manager Ruth Seymour in the press release announcing Harcourt's departure. “We are now in the process of choosing a new Music Director. We have been looking at potential candidates with an eye toward announcing a choice in the new few weeks.”

We'll keep you posted.

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