More on-air cuts at Q105: Entire weekday on-air staff cut but star Mason Dixon
Just two months after longtime radio personality "Marvelous" Marvin Boone was discharged from WRBQ-FM (Q105), CBS Radio has let go the rest of the oldies station's weekday on air staff, except for star morning man Mason Dixon.
In all, four personalities were cut at the station, including Dixon's longtime partner Bill Connolly (at left), JoJo Walker, Rico Blanco and Mike Reeves. The changes come at a jarring time, as the station is completing Dixon's annual Christmas Wish charity event and the gift-giving holiday is less than a week away.
Ed Krampf, Tampa market manager for WRBQ owner CBS Radio, said the staff changes were focused on elevating the station's ratings performance and were not about saving money.
Stressing that the departing WRBQ personalities would be "replaced by live bodies," Krampf said the situation was not entirely comparable to the October shakeup at affiliated station WSJT-FM, where the smooth jazz station's on-air staff was mostly replaced by syndicated programming from a California company (one personality, Al Santana, is back part-time and may do more in the future, Kramp said).
Currently, the station is playing Christmas music, and on Dec. 26, they will count down the Top 500 songs of all time. By Dec. 29, Krampf expects the station's new lineup of personalities to take the air, including new program director Scott Walker, who is expected to work a shift; the station's format as a classic hits station is not expected to change.
Walker took over programming duties from Dixon two months ago, allowing Dixon to focus on his show, Krampf said. In the summer 2008 ratings book, WRBQ was ranked 11th in the prized 25-to-54 listener demographic.
"My goal is to get this station into the Top 5 . . . but that's any manager's goal," said Krampf, who declined to give much detail on the new personalities for competitive reasons. "The station will sound more like the Top 40 radio stations people were listening to when they were growing up."
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The Feed is a blog on TV, media and modern life by St. Petersburg Times TV/media critic Eric Deggans. Possibly the most critical guy at the Times, he has served as music, media and TV critic at various times over 10 years.
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I LISTEN TO THE RADIO WRBQ BECAUSE OF THE ON AIR PERSONALITIES..
I HAVE LIVED IN TAMPA FOR 45 YEARS..
THE DJ DOING THE DRIVE TIME IN MIKE'S SPOT IS TERRIBLE... HE TALKS THROUGH SONGS AND IS NOT AT ALL FLUID IN ANYTHING HE HAS TO SAY.... WILL NOT LISTEN ANYMORE.... BRING BACK..MIKE, BILL JOJO AND RICO..ALSO NOTING AGAINST THE GIRL ON MASON AM DRIVE BUT HER LAUGHS ON AIR NEED TO STOP..ANNOYING...
Posted by: B WILLIAMS | February 04, 2009 at 12:37 PM
NEWS FLASH for MARVIN FANS !!! This info is from a personal friend of Mr Boone...Marvin will be on A M 820 next week as a guest host for their 6 A M talk show..( early , yes..but something tells me that like me, many of your radio alarms go off at that time anyway)
FORGIVE ME that is all I have...I do not know the exact days ..I think it plays til 9 A M every day, perhaps all week..but that needs confirming. I wanted to get the word out A S A P.
But we can call the station ( 820 )and politely ask, no?
I will now go to the Rally blog page and post there. Being a computer chimp, I don't know a quicker way!!!!
Posted by: Scott | February 03, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Glad to see people still posting on this original blog and the one for the Rally. Hope to see you all at the rally. February 21 - noon to 4 at Quaker Steak and Lube. Please pass the word. JoJo, Bill, Marvin, Rico, Marc and Carrie Kirkland will be there.
Let's show CBS that WE WILL ROCK YOU!!!!
Posted by: Baby Boomer | February 03, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Dear Matthew G >>>>
HA! U SO BAT !!!
I love it...sounds like harmless, if annoying fun.
A lot of D J's make such calls..
where's that number????
Posted by: LOYAL LISTENER | February 02, 2009 at 06:10 PM
During the week, I switch over to either 101.5 or 100.7 after mason.
Last Monday I did listen to q105 the entire day for the first time since the New Year, and an idea for how to have some fun with the new guys occured to me.
You know how every day Marvin and Mike Reeves would field dozens of calls each day asking "Was that the song of the day?" Even when the song of the day was on hiatus for a few days. Mike reeves would pretend to get annoyed sometimes but I could tell he was always amused.
Anyway, I wonder how the 2 new guys, scott walker and jojo kincais, would react if on one days, they each had a few dozen of us calling to see if the song of the day had just played. Since they had never heard our song of the day contest I wonder how long it would take before they start wondering what was going on.
Posted by: Matthew G. | February 01, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Dear Matthew G. and ALL >>>YUP.That's what is missing ..the qualitative "interruptions" that made us feel we are listening to friends..and then had music as well.
Ironic, no ?
Well, no problem that there are 10 at 10 with no interruptions. If I were listening, I'd prefer it that way.
Alas..I am NOT. 101.5 has my ears, thanks to C B S yups. THE POINT. not the Putts.My New Year's listening agenda.
Thank You for the intelligent update, M G..and I am sincerely glad that Jack Miller at least has a job..guess he, Mason, and Nikki have to go by rote. Nothing personal.
Posted by: LOYAL LISTENER | February 01, 2009 at 05:07 PM
Dear Matthew G.( in response to your ten @ 10 report..) and ALL of you >>>YEP.That's what is missing ..the qualitative "interruptions" that made us feel we are listening to family/friends..and then had music as well.
Ironic, no ?
Well, at this point in time, no problem that there are 10 at 10 with no interruptions. If I were listening, I'd prefer it that way.
Alas..I am NOT. 101.5 has my ears, thanks to C B S yups.( or older "MINDS" )
I tune in to THE POINT. not the Putts.My New Year's listening agenda. One resolution I have kept.
Thank You for the intelligent update, M G..and I am sincerely glad that Jack Miller at least has a job..guess he, Mason, and Nikki have to go by rote. Nothing personal.
Posted by: LOYAL LISTENER | February 01, 2009 at 04:50 PM
I was listening to Jack Miller yesterday afternoon and something made me laugh. I know it's been mentioned that om Scott Walker's shift, he doesn't like to put his voice on the air for for 45 minutes after his shift starts. Well a short comercial for his mid day show is trying to put a positive spin on that.
"Hear 10 classic hits back to back without interuption every morning at 10:00. That's 10 hits at ten."
Posted by: Matthew G. | February 01, 2009 at 09:33 AM
I stopped listening regularly during the 6 weeks of Christmas music. I have been laid up with a broken leg and the station is the pits without the morning crew and Marvin. I've resorted to watching tv and listening to CDs. What may make fiscal sense does not make sense to the pride and ownership that these djs have in the community. My #1 spot on the radio dial was Q105. I took it off and it won't be back on until all of the djs return to work. Bring on the rally!
Posted by: another loyal listener | January 31, 2009 at 01:53 PM
I have to say thank god we still have Mason. But i'm with everyone else...it isn't just the music that makes me listen - it is the DJ's. These guys have been the heart of Tampa for years and you guys trying to spend the crap about ratings - you are OUT OF YOUR MIND. You need to bring back ALL of them or the station's ratings REALLY will drop!
Posted by: sherri | January 30, 2009 at 02:07 PM
Moffitt's annual august Mole Patrol at the Pier 60 Pavilion on Clearwater Beach will truly not be the same without JoJo Walker and his crew there to entertain the volunteers and attract the beachgoers to come in get their skin screened for suspicious moles/lesions. He's the best, and I don't know who we can possibly hire to replace him.
Posted by: Lois Rendina | January 30, 2009 at 01:50 PM
Just tried to check the Radio-info.com site to see the blogs and it says the domain name has expired? Tried it several times to make sure I had it correct. Very strange. Do they not want us to be heard?
Posted by: Baby Boomer | January 29, 2009 at 09:10 AM
GREEEEAAAATTTTT!!! I have been in Nashville, and just came back to this great news. My family and I will be there. That's three.
Now that date is confirmed , I will be calling more people.
Excellent work...what a team!
And that's what we want back, no?
Posted by: EXCITABLE BOY | January 27, 2009 at 10:51 AM
i saw the article. Really well done.
Posted by: Matthew G. | January 26, 2009 at 09:14 PM
Eric Deggan's article on the rally:
(http://blogs.tampabay.com/media/2009/01/rally-to-protes.html)
Posted by: Baby Boomer | January 26, 2009 at 01:06 PM
We will be there with our family Hope alot of people will be there for support... We do not put on Q105 any longer.. Sure do miss all of them...
Posted by: some one who cares | January 25, 2009 at 08:26 PM
Jeff - please come to the rally and bring your daughter. Marvin, Rico, Bill and JoJo will be there. Feb. 21 from noon to 4 at Quaker Steak and Lube at US19 & 49th Street in Pinellas Park!
Posted by: Baby Boomer | January 24, 2009 at 10:26 AM
You lost a long time listener. Bad move to cut Marvin and then all the other shows. I even used to listen to the Friday night dance party with my 12 year old daughter. She is also mad because of the cuts. Jerks.
Posted by: jeff young | January 24, 2009 at 06:10 AM
Hi all. I spoke with Eric Deggans of the Times tonight. He will probably post tomorrow. He was wondering how many people would come to this? Lots of messages on here but seem to come from a handful of people. I hope you are spreading the word about the blogs, the emails and the rally!!!!
Posted by: Baby Boomer | January 22, 2009 at 08:15 PM
RE: Rally - It will be at Quaker Steak and Lube - US 19 and 49th Street North in Pinellas Park. Saturday, February 21 from noon-4.
Posted by: Baby Boomer | January 22, 2009 at 08:59 AM
Date and Time for Rally - Confirmed!
It will be Saturday, February 21 from noon to 4. It is also going to coincide with a happy hour with the Tampa Bay Parrotheads who I am sure quite a few are Q105 fans also.
So please pass the word - we want a HUGE crowd! And keep send the emails and blogs! We will ROCK you!
Rock on!
Posted by: Baby Boomer | January 22, 2009 at 08:53 AM
Marvin, Bill, Rico, "The Original" JoJo, are all on board for the rally at Quaker Steak & Lube on Feb. 21st. Hope to see you all there! And keep those blogs from Eric's page going out each and every day to the powers that be. Remember...the pen is mighter than the sword as Mark Twain once said. Lets prove it!!
Posted by: Someone who knowns | January 22, 2009 at 01:33 AM
Keep on sending out those emails! We gotta keep the momentum going. Looks like February 21st may be a go for our rally. Once all is confirmed I will let you all know. Please pass the word on these blogs and sending emails out to your friends and fans of the fired staff. We WILL rock you!
Posted by: Baby Boomer | January 21, 2009 at 04:15 PM
I went on q105's website. webcam was online for a few minutes, then went off line.
Posted by: Matthew G. | January 21, 2009 at 02:35 PM
For whoever mentioned 98 MAX as an alternate station for all the rest of the q105 laid-off staff;
That station broadcasts from POLK county, and according to the emails I got back from Mike James from that station, does not reach much beyond Polk County, certainly nowhere near Pinellas, which is where q105 broadcasts from, and where most of their listeners are.
Here is the second email I got back from them.
=====++++++++++++++++++++++++++=====
Thanks Matthew.
Our signal is now perfect in our primary metro of Polk County, which is what we had to accomplish with our new tower in order to keep the Max format, but unfortunately we don't have enough signal strength to get a clean signal into Pinellas County.
Sorry about that, but thanks for listening to us when you can!
Regards, Mike James
=====++++++++++++++++++++++++++=====
They do have great music If you're able to listen online. Unfortunately I cannot bring an internet connection with me when I go to work. Here's their website.
http://www.max983fm.com/
Posted by: Matthew G. | January 21, 2009 at 02:22 PM
I did a google search and saw numerous articles saying the number was 1850 laid off from Clear Channel.
By the way, Jack Miller is still o q105 on sunday mid-days, right after the Top 40s from the 70's.
Posted by: Matthew G. | January 21, 2009 at 02:07 PM
Just to keep you up to date, 36 employees were let go yesterday January 2oth. at Clear Channel. WHAT A SHAME when will this end?
Posted by: some one who cares | January 21, 2009 at 11:58 AM
UPDATE: Tentative date change: February 21.
Will let you know when confirmed.
Posted by: Baby Boomer | January 20, 2009 at 02:27 PM
I was really hoping to attend, as I too am disgusted with what has happened to a station I used to love. Unfortunately I can't be 2 places at once & we are throwing a b'day party for my mother.
Please know that I will be there in spirit & will start sending out my daily emails.
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: mo | January 20, 2009 at 12:52 AM
RALLY - TENTATIVE DATE: Okay, we have a tentative date of Feb. 28th. So pencil in that date on your calendars. Just waiting to hear from JoJo if it's good for all of them and then I will confirm with Bill at Quaker Steak and Lube and then let you all know for sure.
Rock on!
Posted by: Baby Boomer | January 19, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Dear Boomer >>>great contact work...wow you sure ARE resourceful.
Thank you so much. Sounds like we've got more E mails to send, team. So glad we are still in momentum.
Happy Dr King Day, everyone. A very special safe and meaningful week as well.
Posted by: EXCITABLE BOY | January 19, 2009 at 02:30 PM
Okay listeners/fans get busy: Here are two more emails you can start sending messages to (I am quite resourceful.) I have been told that these people do read the blogs too.
Scott.Herman@CBSRadio.com
Dan.Mason@CBSRadio.com
Let's save our radio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Baby Boomer | January 19, 2009 at 01:28 PM
UPDATE: Bill at Quaker Steak still waiting to hear back from Mason.
JoJo says Mike Reeves will be unable to attend and he is waiting to hear back from Marvin.
Will keep you posted. Don't give up!
Rock on!
Posted by: Baby Boomer | January 19, 2009 at 01:26 PM
Radio's consolidation actually was rocket-fueled by the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which allowed much greater ownership concentration than previous years.
I'd have to check, but I believe it was a Republican controlled congress with a Democratic White House.
It should be noted that Clinton, who was President at the time, signed the bil into law with full support.
Thus, any argument that what's happening to radio these days is because of Republican actions is patently false.
Rather, what you are seeing now is the radio version of the newspaper industry...falling listenership due to inferior product coupled with declining revenues and competition from Internet and other media.
In a strange way, and without any need for legislative interference, the market is going to end up breaking up the consolidated radio compajnies like Clear Channel and over time create new, entrepreneurial radio station owners...like it once was.
I would absolutely disagree with anyone, Republican or Democrat, who argues aganst requirements for localized programming and staffing. It is necessary.
On the other hand, I would be equally opposed to any effort by lawmakers to require all radio stations to offer immediate balance of opinion, al la the old "Fairness Doctrine". That is the exact same thing as goverment control of media content and goes against the basic fundamentals of a free society.
Anyone opposed to the crap that is put out each day by the liberal Air Americas and the conservative Rush Limbaughs of the world need only turn the damn radio off to avoid offensive content.
Or, if you are listening to 970 and Rush is on, go find Air America if that is your preference.
We don't need a law to "protect us" from offensive or imbalanced content.
If you do, then you are pretty pathetic.
Posted by: beltwaybandit | January 18, 2009 at 04:29 PM
It's a bit of a stretch, but not too much, to connect the firings and de-localization of radio to Republicans. They are certainly screaming bloody murder about proposals to have the FCC step in and require local stations to have some local programming and local staff. Conservative syndicated talk radio hosts are denouncing localism, naturally because they don't want the competition.
Posted by: Pete and Repeat | January 17, 2009 at 06:43 PM
Republicans are doing this? Think again. This has nothing to do with republicans. Besides, you might want to check the demographic make-up of San Antonio. That information is available from the Census Bureau.
CC is trying to downplay their "massive restructuring plan," because they know all media eyes will be on the inauguration of our country's first black president. It is an important event, but not THE MOST important.
Posted by: Voice of Reason | January 17, 2009 at 05:43 PM
How disgraceful!!!....they also should be darn ashamed of themselves at Clear Channel Corporate.....which is based in the San Antonio, Texas...republicans, trying to make a point, ya think.......they have to do it, right in the middle of the (inauguration) most important event for this country...
bad enough, it was done to CBS employees during the holidays!!!....
Posted by: hope | January 17, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Get ready for the radio ax to swing again. New York Post says Clear Channel is cutting thousands of jobs January 20th -- hoping it can slip under the media radar because of the inauguration.
Posted by: Pete and Repeat | January 17, 2009 at 04:00 AM
Just want to make this clear - this is NOT a farewell. This is a rally to support our DJ friends and to let CBS Radio know how many listeners/fans there are out there that are NOT happy about the changes.
We want to let them know that we want them ALL back on the air. We WILL rock you!
Posted by: Baby Boomer | January 16, 2009 at 08:40 AM
I have sent personal E mails to Mr Walker, Krampf, and Culotta as well.
Sans blogs.. quite "Square One", respectfully, and have asked for personal response ..NONE since Monday, but of course. Maybe they are busy deleting them?!!?!
Whatever it takes, folks. This is great being unified, and some of you are amazing in your contact work. We have become "the fist" that Sitting Bull imagined...courtesy of Matthew G.
And one that will harm no one! Yet can make a difference.
Many people that I know will come.
I cannot wait to meet everyone. You are the best.
Posted by: ANOTHER LOYALIST | January 15, 2009 at 09:40 PM
I will keep you informed if I get a response. But so far krampf or scott walker have not responded to any of my emails.
Posted by: Matthew G. | January 15, 2009 at 04:21 PM
TO: ANOTHER LOYALIST
Yes, Christmas Wish is special to me. My sister was a recipient in 2001 when she got laid off from her job. My brother was a recipient a few years later when he and his wife got laid off a week before Christmas. In 2007 my brother got a good position at a company and donated back the amount he had received from Christmas Wish so it is very near and dear to my heart.
Posted by: Baby Boomer | January 15, 2009 at 03:31 PM
Matthew G - please let us know what you receive (if anythying) as a response to your letter! I also think that the Christmas Wish collection is a great idea - even if it is a small amount, it's the message that counts!
Posted by: Patty | January 15, 2009 at 02:25 PM
Does anyone know anything about Jack Miller? I don't listen enough to the station to know. Can someone inform us here? I'd appreciate it. Thanks...A. L.
Posted by: QUICK ADDENDUM | January 15, 2009 at 01:39 PM
DEAR BABY BOOMER >>> The Christmas Wish Idea is beautiful. It really moves me personally because as I have said what HOOKED me on 104.7 was listening to this brilliant quirky bloke named Marvin crack me and others up on the BUFFET ( MacArthur's Park played the FIRST day I listened..You know the rest of the story ) , play great music ( lotsa MoTown..) and then have the most heart warming/wrenching conversation with a Christmas Wish recipient. I will NEVER forget it. I was standing on a ladder ( yikes..) "painting our house",(kinda ) and unashamedly cried like an infant. The GOOD way !
If some special rep would be assigned to monitor a donation box at the Rally, I think there is no way we can pay more respect to Mason and his "Elves" than to act so willingly and unselfishly. It's an example of what we want BACK...what the TEAM we love has built, reaching out to US , including US as "family" that is UNTOUCHABLE.
It is about the PERSONALITY of our TURF !!!! And CHRISTMAS WISH was a perfect manifestation about what's good about us..it's always blessed to give..and this non "Anonymous Way" is special..faces, names, even get to hear people cry in joy...quite the holistic experience.
Okay before I cry again, I want to salute all of You, and give special appreciation to Mr MATTHEW G for his pro active moves and GREAT QUOTES !!!
There's the meat of our Spirit...nuff said.
Yours, a WISH donator since 2001.
Posted by: ANOTHER LOYALIST | January 15, 2009 at 01:32 PM
Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely - Lord Acton
Rock on Matthew!
Posted by: Baby Boomer | January 15, 2009 at 01:08 PM
"As individual fingers we can easily be broken, but together we make a mighty fist."
-- Sitting Bull
Posted by: Matthew G. | January 15, 2009 at 12:42 PM
This is a copy of the lattest emailI sent to the new folks at q105.
From: "Matthew Goff"
To: scott.walker@cbsradio.com
Cc: Ed.Krampf@cbsradio.com, mculotta@cbs.com
According to the December 19, 2208 article in the St. Petersburg Times, "Ed Krampf, Tampa market manager for WRBQ owner CBS Radio, said the staff changes were focused on elevating the station's ratings performance and were not about saving money."
My response, How on earth is getting rid of all the talent going to improve the ratings. I can understand improving the bottom line -- no-name talentless hacks can't demand the big saleries like the big-name talents can. But do the corporate DESK jockeys really believe the listenters would rather choose to hear the never-heard-of, boring, talentless yawn-inspiring DJs over the well-established, much-loved, very entertaining personalities? Because I'll tell you one thing, Mason AND Bill AND JoJo AND the whole team is what keeps everyone tuned in during the mornings. Marvelous Marvin is What kept me tuned in during the mid-day, and Mike Reeves is what kept me during the after noons. The music is great, but it is not the music that kept me tuning in. It is the Much Loved DJs that kept me glued to q105. Without my favorite DJs I can tell you I am going to go roaming for a new favorite radio station.
I would like a response to let me know you read this.
Also, here is link to the online blog stemming from the article. It contains a lot of LISTENERS' opinions. Please note that there are MANY more people with views similar to these that just aren't posting here - MANY MORE.
http://blogs.tampabay.com/media/2008/12/more-on-air-cut.html
or
http://tinyurl.com/comments-on-Q105-DJs
When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. -Jimi Hendrix
Posted by: Matthew G. | January 15, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Another idea: (let me know what you think)
Perhaps have a donation jar at the rally for Christmas Wish? Or some other ideas for money for Christmas Wish at the rally?
Posted by: Baby Boomer | January 15, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Just keeping you all updated: heard from Quaker Steak and Lube and he is trying to contact Mason to see if he is able to get involved with this. As soon as I get any more info or the exact date I will let you all know. Thanks for keeping this blog up and all the encouragement! This WILL happen.
We will rock you!
Posted by: Baby Boomer | January 15, 2009 at 08:50 AM