Thomas Kent Newton (August 6, 1954 – June 24, 2024)[1] was an American radio personality and label executive.
Prior to becoming syndicated, Kent worked on the air and in programming at the top 40 radio station WLS in Chicago.
Kent also worked on the air at KFJZ Ft. Worth, KLIF in Dallas, WIBG Philadelphia, WGCL and WIXY in Cleveland, WMXJ in Miami, WAVA-FM in Washington, D.C., where he was also the Program Director, and WBZZ (B-94) in Pittsburgh.
He helped break and bring to the national music spotlight national music recording artists Tracy Chapman, Third Eye Blind, Keith Sweat, Moby, Natalie Merchant, Simply Red, Missy Elliott, Gerald Levert, Metallica, Yolanda Adams, and En Vogue.
On August 6, 2015, The National Radio Hall of Fame in Chicago nominated Tom Kent in the category of syndicated music personality.
The Tom Kent Radio Network had more than 600 affiliates since its launch in March 2008, reaching nearly 100 million listeners.
Starting in February 2012, Kent employed sales and distribution services through United Stations Radio Networks.