Ace From 'The Ace and TJ Show' Passed Away Months After He Exited the Radio Show

Based out of North Carolina, The Ace and TJ Show quickly became one of the most popular syndicated radio shows throughout the South. The show has existed in the region for decades, and in that time, it accrued a loyal following of people who enjoy listening to it every weekday morning.

In September 2024, though, the show and its fans were rocked by the sudden announcement that David "Ace" Cannon would no longer be a part of the show. Following that announcement, many wanted to know why Ace left the show, and whether there was any further explanation given. And when the news of his passing hit headlines in February 2025, fans of the former co-host were devastated.

In a post across social media from the official accounts of the show, they offered a simple message. "The new TJ & Riggins show begins Monday, Sept. 23," the message explained in September 2024. "Expect much of the same content and products with some new additions to be announced soon. Ace is no longer associated with the show."

The show didn't offer any additional detail on what happened to Ace, which naturally led many fans to wonder what happened.

Given the fact that Ace wasn't allowed to announce his departure on the air, it seems like whatever happened between him and the show was quite sudden and that his departure from the program may not have been solely his decision. It's unclear exactly how long those inside the show have known about his ouster, but they did have a plan in place to launch a new show almost immediately upon announcing that Ace would be leaving.

Ace was quiet on his own social media about his departure, so we don't have any information from him either. All we know is what was in the statement, which is that the show planned to move forward with TJ and a new co-host. it was renamed The TJ & Riggins Show with longtime staff member Riggins filling in as co-host when Ace left.

Ace's unexpected death was announced on Feb. 4, 2025. However, his health up until that point is unclear. It's also not clear if his health played a role in why he left the radio show that he hosted for so many years. Following his exit, fans wondered if Ace's health might have been a factor and, after his unexpected death, they continued to voice concerns on social media.

At this time, it's unclear what Ace's official cause of death is. Little details were released following the news of his passing. He was 56 years old. HITS 96.1, the radio station for what was once called The Ace & TJ Show, shared a statement on Facebook.

“The iHeartMedia Charlotte family is devastated to learn of the passing of David ‘Ace’ Cannon," the statement said. "For years, he was an important part of so many people’s lives, providing companionship and laughter to his many listeners and colleagues. Our thoughts are Ace’s loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”

The established dynamic between TJ and Ace is part of what made them so successful. Ace was "the rock star," and as the lead singer in a band, he brought that musical knowledge to the show. TJ, meanwhile, is the more standard radio host, and the two bounced off of one another and a rotating guest of other people who co-host the show with them. Following the news of Ace's death, though, many fans are searching for answers.