KMPS Seattle morning man Ichabod Caine is signing off the air Dec. 18 after a total of more than 20 years with the country station. Caine’s wife, Waking Crew co-host and producer Scallops will also be leaving.

Says Caine, “Scallops and I are not using the ‘R’ word (retire). However, it has been said ‘There’s a time to plant and a time to uproot.’”

Co-hosts Randy Scott and Stephen Kilbreath will remain on the air while decisions are being made about the direction for a new KMPS morning show.

A Washington state native, Caine’s broadcasting career began in the mid-’70s at KPUG in Bellingham, Wash., later moving onto KJRB Spokane, Wash., then landing in Seattle at KJR-AM. He first joined KMPS in 1983, left for mornings at a crosstown competitor from 1993-1998, then returned to KMPS in January 1998.

In a prepared statement, KMPS senior VP/GM Lisa Decker called Caine “a very unique person and talent. We will miss his sense of humor, his storytelling and his huge heart. It is the end of an era for both Ichabod and the station.”

Adds, PD Becky Brenner, “We all learned a lot and benefited tremendously from Ichabod’s passion for people, radio and country music. Ick made the start of every day fun and unique for the KMPS listeners. We have some big shoes to fill.”