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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Comments

Please keep us posted when this rally will happen.... date/place/time......we'll be there!!!!

[Baby Boomer]

Will be looking forward to meeting you all at the Rally.

[ANOTHER LOYALIST]

Let's not forget Jack Miller . He was the night man, and I know not EVERYONE listened at night , but we actually listened more to him than Mason. Timing deal. And Jack is funny.

The dance party salvaged any potentially boring Fri/Sat night..and he is GREAT with requests...as Marvin the Master is.

So , following the protocol, I add :

NUMBER EIGHT >

GET JACK'S JOB BACK. WITH ALL OF THEM !
BRING BACK the DANCE PARTY, dang it !!!
Glad to be connected with y'all.

[What you forgot]

5.Fire JoJo Kincaid
6.Fire Ed Krampf
7.Hedi Heinz
And that should do it!

[Patty]

Here's the Radio-Info Link. Scroll down to Top 20 markets, then scroll down to Tampa-St. Petersburg ...http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/

[Baby Boomer]

TO DO LIST:
1. Win Powerball
2. Buy Q105 from CBS radio
3. Fire Scott Walker and Mike Culotta
4. Hire Mason Dixon, Bill Connolly, JoJo Walker, Marc Haze, Rico Blanco, Marvin Boone and Mike Reeves.

[Baby Boomer]

Hey guys, you keep talking about the radio-info message boards. Can someone post the link here for me? This is the only blog I am aware of. Sorry.

[LK]

Great idea... and if someone has the contacts, get the television stations involved as well. This would make for a great 6PM live news shot if it happened during the week. If Quaker would throw out some drink/ food specials, I bet people would be willing to write a small donation check to Christmas Wish. PS. And invite the Max98.3 people as well as the Genesis Radio people so they can see the power these ex-cbs jocks have!

[Patty]

One more thing ... maybe we should all contact Max 98.3 and let them know where they can get a banging live line-up for their station ... and sell lots of advertising and increase revenues because of it ....

[Patty]

I have been absent for a few days (real work getting in the way again!). But I am IN. Boom and EB, feel free to send me an email at seniorwoodman@aol.com. Let me know what I can do ... I'm going to go check the radio-info message boards and see what is going on over there!

[Baby Boomer]

Here's another email to add to the list that you can blast out this blog to-
Mike Culotta - the "brains" behind this whole deal: mculotta@cbs.com.

Blast away! We will Rock You!

[EXCITABLE BOY]

Dear Boomer...You are untouchable. Thank you for all the unselfish hard work in connection with the entities in focus.. AMAZING STUFF in TWO DAYS !!! and I want to publicly announce that I was moved to the point of tears at your follow up RE Ms Cruz. You are my hero. If the people in control at WRBQ have the CLASS , humility, lack of fake ego and decency that you do, our battle is won.

I just got home..gotta make a couple calls !!!
Your CoHort in Creative Crime..( ha ha ..)...E Boy

[Baby Boomer]

So far two of the fired staff are on board for this and are very touched by the the support from us. Mason may not be able to make it - he could also be "fired" if he showed up. He has to kowtow to the new PD over there if you get my drift. But I am sure he will be there in spirit! Will keep you all up to date. Rock on!

[Baby Boomer]

On another note I would like to publicly apologize to Nikki Cruz for remarks - my bad for making comments about someone I do not personally know. I am sure she is a wonderful person.

[Baby Boomer]

Update: Just spoke with the manager at Quaker Steak and Lube and he is totally willing to help us out with this. He said we just need to get the word out which I told him Eric Deggans was willing to do when he gets back from LA and that this blog and you all will help spread the word. He says he can contact Mason to see if he would be able to come. He asked if this was a farewell party and I said heck no - we want our guys back on the air. He is all for it! So watch for updates as to date and time.

[Baby Boomer]

Hi friends!
Got an email from the REAL JoJo Walker. He is totally on board with this and will be there and is contacting the other fired staff too. So, I'll get busy with trying to secure a location, etc. and will keep everyone informed. Even if nothing gets accomplished it will be one hell of a party! Thanks for sticking with me on this.

[ANOTHER LOYALIST]

Sounds like our team is rock and rolling. I am so impressed with you folks.I got paranoid because, computer cave man that I am, I have been out of touch since I couldn't find my usual access to this blog page ( I put in " Marvelous Marvin " "More on air cuts..")
because it was moved to another spot (2nd page now) and couldn't help but be horrified that there is a story about someone shooting horses before this story is listed. Yikes. BUT..I found you.
RALLY > GREAT IDEA...I can't do my day job today because it is rainy ( "Boo Hoo" )so I have called at least a dozen of my friends and FORMER Q Zoo 105 listeners to let them know what is shaking with the ideas that you gals and guys are cooking up, and to inform them of this blog page. I, too, will be there, and the three people I talked to live said they would be too. Anybody who is in tune with this great please give a quick acknowledgement here so we have an idea of how many might attend. A simple "I'll be there" will suffice. Not a formal RSVP, but the vibe will help. If I can help at all in the organizing, let's figure out a way to connect. Everyone call people and tell them. Like many have said above, our PASSION has to be addressed. I am honored to be in touch with all of you. Let's get 'em back. Nights are scary without Jack Miller. The current syn. "live body" show is trash. We had JACK, MARVIN, MIKE and BILL !!! Welcome to the Twilight Zone!!!!!

[Baby Boomer]

Okay, I am ready for this. Waiting on Eric Deggans to get back from LA. If any or all of the fired staff would please get in touch with me (at some risk here I will post my email:no1lotrfan@tampabay.rr.com) so we can start to organize this. Would love to see Mason there. Too bad we couldn't tie in a Christmas Wish fundraiser along with it. Anyhow, I will keep you posted if and when I hear from the fired staff, Eric or Mason. Rock On!

[Think That's A GREAT Idea!]

I think that all of the fired employee's would show up to see the listener's. You guys just set it up and maybe Eric will cover it! What a story that would make! Great press! Just say when and where. I know that all of the fired emloyee's read these blogs and would come. Masom could be a problem since he is still part of Mr/ Scott Walker's Staff. Did you know that he voice tracks the last two hours of his show. 1 until 3? Guess he can't pull a full five hours like Marvin could. Of course, I don't like that he has five hours of anything to say worth listening to. As a matter of fact...make that 5 hours worth listening too!! Being one of the fired, I would be hummbled to come and meet and see all the listeners. With that said, "Let's get ot on"!!

[Matthew G.]

By the way, speaking of Marvin could talk endlessly about Rosey's Clam Shack on 49th Street, is it my imagination or have they pulled their comercials from q105 since the change in administration?

I used to love hearing Marvin do those comercials for Rosey's.
"Yep, that Rosey, she's steppin' it up a notch, with plates AND forks. Napkins available upon request."
He'd put so much humor into the ads he'd record that even though I don't like seafood, he made me want to go eat at Rosey's. That's the sign of a true entertainer. Which is a lot more than what scott walker is. And I think even Rosey realized that which must be why she pulled the ads after the new regime came in.

[Matthew G.]

I had said it before and it bears repeating. It was so much fun to hear Marvin come on at 10 and for all of them to cut up and make me laugh as the shift changed.
Nowadays that doesn't happen anymore. I am sure part of it is because Mason and Marvin were close friends for a long time and they love having fun together and interacting. That close friendship seems to be absent between Mason and Scot Walker. No years of friendship, no camaraderie, no fun.!
But the main part, I'm sure, is that Scott Walker does not seem to care at all.
He doesn't seem to care about interacting with any of the other DJs.
He doesn't seem to care about intertjecting a little fun into his show.
He doesn't seem to care about the Tampa Bay area, as shown by the fact that he has never mentioned the bay area on air since he took to the air. If it weren't for the fact that I talked to Andrew (the guy who answers the phones at q105) who told me that scott walker does walk in and out of the studio whenever he feels like it, if not for that I could easily mistake this "Live Body" for a syndicated show piped in from another market.
Think about it; no on-air interaction with any other DJ, No mention of the Tampa Bay area, of any restaurants in town he loves to eat at, (Marvin could talk endlessly about Rosey's Clam Shack on 49th Street), or any of his favorite bay area hang out spots.

That must be why he does so little actual talking on his show, huh? If he is piped in from another market, he must be making reference to his favorite eateries or hangout spots in what ever town he is in, then they edit out those references so it is not so obvious when you hear his voice on the radio. Anyway, that would be my theory if it weren't for the fact that I heard more than one person say that he was actually in the building.

[someone that cares]

CBS SHOULD REHIRE ALL THE DEVOTED OFFICE STAFF THEY LET GO. SHAME ON YOU CBS. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING. ALL ABOUT MONEY MONEY ISN'T IT?

[EXCITABLE BOY]

Way to Go, Boom. It's so cool that Eric is still connected and interested. Thank You SO much for keeping the stove turned on !
Somebody name the place and time...I'm there.

Your Humble Follower ...E B.

CBS Radio responed to viewers concerns by teling us that Marvin was let go because of budgetary concerns. Then they let go the rest of the on air staff on Christmas Eve because of ratings? What I found out that Mason and crew scored in the top 3. They replaced a well loved staff with a bunch of unknowns (where is CBS ratings concerns?). The lackey that took Marvelous's spot sets the wrong tone and does not treat the listeners as Marvin did. As to the late night staff member (Tom Kent) has he not been told it is very irrating to run a cmmerical and a song at the same time. I also would prefer that his potty mouth be muzzled. As a long time listener I never had to worry about content before when a child wanted to listen to the radio but now with the changes wrought by Ed Kampf I do. To say I'm disappointed by his actions is a vast understatement. I'm sure in the coming days business that used to advertise on theQ will be reconsidering. CBS radio would do it self a big favor by bringing back everyone they let go the listeners would then rejoice.

[Baby Boomer]

Response from Eric Deggans:I'm sorry -- i'm in los angeles and was away from internet almost all day today. I would be very interested in keeping track of what you guys do. I won't be back in my office until monday, but would be happy to think about writing something after then....
So, if the fired staff is reading this what say you? I say we rally at Quaker Steak and Lube one Saturday or one night. Let Eric write an article to spread the word. I gave Eric and Mason my contact info so feel free to contact me.

[Former Q105 listener]

Also, a very cowardly move for the station to let 4 loyal on-air personalities go just before Christmas...There is NO excuse for the timing of that during the holidays...There was holiday music playing for crying out loud, and taped Top 500 songs of all time running---Why would anyone support that station if there are people like that running it? Even though Mason is still there, I don't plan on listening to that station anymore!

It's truly amazing how Marvelous Marvin's voice is still being heard on a few commericals currently on Q105, even after they gave him the boot...I certainly hope they are paying him for that!!!

[EXCITABLE BOY]

Good work, Boom and Patty. Thank You for valuable inspiration. Let's ROCK, shall we ????

[Baby Boomer]

Thanks for the great response ya'll. I have copied the post and sent it on to Eric Deggans and copied Mason as well. Let's see what we can do! The little people shall be heard!!!!!!!!!!
We want our Q105 back! We want Mason with Bill, Jojo, Marvin, Rico and Mike!
We aren't going down without a fight!!!!

[Patty]

Hey ... count me in too. As mentioned above, if executed in a professional, positive manner, this event would certainly send a message to the new PD, and a positive, "we miss you!" message to our friends who are no longer on the air. Yes - please send this to Mr. Deggans (I am so sorry I thought you were an Erica, not an Eric ... my bad!) I'm going to copy this into the radio-info website as well!

[DEAR FIRED STAFF WHO KNOWS]

DEAR FIRED STAFF >>>Could any of you guys/ladies maybe tip us off as to which establishment would be into enthusiastically hosting a rally in your momentum ?? ..E G Quaker Steak, as Da Boomer suggested? All "political" stuff aside , them being open & willing to freely express that they support getting you back on the air as much as we the fans do???

I think that , if orderly and properly executed, THIS would be an untouchable event of spirit, and a great story for our "host" Eric Deggans.I read everything he writes now. Hats off, Mr Deggans.

And personally, I hope that Mason would come. He's got to miss you (professionally and personally ) just as much, and His after hours should not be delegated by anyone except he and his family ( Shelties included...)
Respects to all, your Still Excitable Boy..I SURE MISS YOU.

[EXCITABLE BOY]

I think this too is a FAN freakin' TASTIC idea , Baby Boomer. Positive, Pro Active and might even turn out to be fun.

Why don't you personally E mail Mr Deggans , inform him of your idea, and let him know we are we are still reading, sharing ideas. I feel sure that he probably still is reading and in tune, yet he does have a full plate.

This has my "AYE", fellow Senators !!! Thanks, B B !!!!

[Baby Boomer]

Not sure how many people are reading this - how many are still ticked off and aren't aware of this? Is Eric Deggans still reading this? Can we get some kind of rally together? Would be great to get Jojo Walker (the REAL Jojo), Bill, Marvin, Rico and Mike all together and rally. Not sure if Mason would be "allowed" to come. Maybe a rally at Quaker Steak and Lube one night? A mighty show of fans of the REAL Q105? What say you?

[Someone who knows]

Just a note...don't stop with just one sending of the blogs. They will just delete them...send them everyday until you get a respond from them...they at the very least owe you that. I an I mean flood their email with them! Keep them so busy deleteing them that theyt can't do anything else. Who says you can't fight city hall...maybe so, but you can fight for your station and your commiuntity! CBS just holds the liesence, the station is there to serve the commiuntity...and right now, according to the past 20 some odd pages of post...they are are not doing their job as far as FCC records show.
So send away all the blogs and don't stop until you get a reasonable respond. Not some BS email that talks about giving us more time, we're building a new station and such. I mean a real email letter explaining why the jocks that gave so much to this place we call home and the listeners that we love were fired just so Mr. Scott Walker could put his mark on the the station, and wahy hire a pd who took one CBS station from# 10 to ties for # 15th and bring him to Tampa Bay...Is that that what CBS thinks of us? These are the qustions that need to be ask of the powere at that be. the sale dept. at Q105 all ready hates Scott and they can't sell JoJo Kincaid, because no one know him and no one wants to buy him. They will buy Mason, but that's all. Tell them to to bring back the the Q that you knre and loved, not this cheap knock off, blue light special. That should get the job done...but don't let up on sending the blogs...sooner or later Ed will have to see the light...or he'll be getting his copy of the home game, and I don't think that he wants that!

[ANOTHER LOYALIST]

DEAR MATTHEW G >>> Well, gosh , I couldn't help but follow suit to my "long lost twin"..though we were separated at birth, M G.. our instincts are yet in tandem.
TO ALL YOU other Loyal Beauties out there as well..I just sent the comment page(S) & my sentiments to Mr Walkerkrampf... ( "Someone Who Knows'" Idea..) I was quite polite and even said "In case No one else contacts You...though I know that is not likely"
Send them the comments, if You haven't already. Try to BE NICE !!!!!
SOME WHO KNOWS for PRESIDENT...good idea, S W K........ Another Loyalist

[Matthew G.]

I just emailed both of them with the entire blog with all the posts. I think this is a good idea. Every one should email these two to let them know what we think.

Program director email is: scott.walker@cbsradio.com .
Ax Man/GM Ed Kramp is: Ed.Krampf@cbsradio.com

[someone who knows]

Since after reading some of the post that say management won't take your calls, maybe you should cpoy and paste the blogs and send them to Mr. Scott Walker and Ed Krampf. The new PD and miday guy (who by the way voice tracks the last two hours of his midday show) guess he can't handle a full time air shift like the rest of us did. His email is: scott.walker@cbsradio.com . and the Ax Man/GM Ed Kramp is: Ed.Krampf@cbsradio.com . Maybe if he gets enough emails about how you feel, he may have second thoughts, though I don't think so, but it's worth a try. What have you got to lose. Send him all the blogs, he and Scott. They'll at least have spend all morning on Monday having to delete them. As a matter of fact...send them everyday! That should keep them busy!

[gman]

Nothing good comes from Krap. Spelled imporperly to resemble the likeness of what Krap really is.

[scott]

Dear Mr DEGGANS :
There's Your story !
The previous statement says "...the heart of the station is gone. "

ALAS...104.7 underwent a HEART TRANSPLANT....unwanted, unneeded by the listeners. Others had an agenda.
Like INVASION of the BODY SNATCHERS
( oh, geez here we are back to live bodies ! )
The emotions have been effected ( or perhaps "affected" ? )
I humbly Thank You for presenting this issue to us, and providing an intelligent forum for us to speak up. Please "use all Your powers"
to legitimately and professionally stir up what You can for people who care.

[Linda Tindall]

To the fired staff, we love and miss you. We thank you for the many years of touching us and making us laugh!...Now, the music is good, but the heart of the station is gone. On my way to work this morning, I hardly heard Mason speak. It is not the same. I love you, Mason, but I am pushing the buttons after your show.
At least the GATORS are #1!!!!!!!!

[Pete]

For all of you who have stated how important that local connection is on the radio... remember that syndicated right-wing talk radio is doing everything they can to rile up their listeners against FCC efforts to curb this kind of bad programming and preserve localism.

[Kristina]

Iam not happy with the changes at WRBQ. I miss the DJ'S especially the friday and saturday night dance parties. I will not listen to WRBQ any more. They lost a loyal listener.

[Reva]

For those of you interested, Marvelous Marvin is still doing the cruise this year. Contact "Accent on Travel" accentontravel@earthlink.net for details. It is going to Cozumel and leaves on April 30. I'm definitely going this year.

[Patty]

I posted awhile back and feel the need to post again. Here we are ... how many weeks later, STILL talking about what has happened to Q-105 on-air talent who have become family, as well as what has happened to the station. Ms. Deggans - if you are entertaining a story about this, and would like input from listeners, I would love to talk to you. As indicated by these posts that continue to be written weeks after the event, it is clear that the station managers did not understand the Tampa Bay listeners' connection to the talent and the station. In these turbulent times, Q-105 was the place to which we retreated for some familiar entertainment that made us laugh and yet provided some comfort. I can't even listen to the new JoJo - I don't know why the new PD thought that putting a corny jock who yells through his entire breaks, and whose show sounds like a cheesey late-1970's advertisement for an even cheesier broadcast school would increase their market share ... perhaps they forgot they were trying to appeal to ADULTS. Tom Kent isn't much better. It's not just about the music - it's about the local people who provided us with a local connection to our town. I truly hope that Mason finds an opportunity at another station and reunites the crew we have grown to love. And to that crew, if you are still reading these boards - THANK YOU for perfecting your craft and providing us with so many years of quality, fun entertainment! God speed!

[hope]

Absolutely right about that!! And it's a shame, and pretty sad that it has come down to that!! Greed took over, and nothing else matters, everyone suffers....but who cares about that, right!? (they don't).....what does this teach the younger generation?! And that is why we are all where we are today...enough is enough!!

[Just a Listener]

I can not add much to what has been already said other than when an organization divests itself of much of its most important assets..in this case its top line personnel... it says they have become a very desperate company who looks for a short term cash benefit with no view of the long term future...can you say hugh culverhouse and the tampa bay bucs?? ...perhaps there can be a new owner who would actually care about the people who support them..

[Shawn T.]

I have followed Mason and his crew since I was in High School. Throughout my life I could always depend on a pickup from Mason and company and even if I was having a bad day, listening to the guys would pick me up. Now I'm a business owner and play Q105 in my store all day long. Well... NOT ANY MORE!! I will listen to my longtime radio jockey of Mason Dixon because of my love of what he does, what he is, and what he is about. However, I will be turning the station after his show is over. Sorry to say but what has happened is totally wrong. No offense to the new radio guys because it would not be fair to judge them at this point, but taking off the personalities that built that radio station and had it going like fire, is a tragedy. I do not wish any bad to the station but do not be surprised to see the ratings fall at a dramatic rate. Mason... God Bless my friend.. from a loyal listener.

[Q-zoo era listener]

The afternoon jock...JO JO, is awful.
(Check out this guy on the Q web cam when he is on air). Unbelievable! He looks like he is going thru withdrawl from crack or alcohol between songs, and while he is introducing one.

I CANNOT for the life of me understand why Mike Reeves would be replaced. Kind of makes me wonder about the PD, or GM if they think this JO JO is going to get better ratings than Mike Reeves. WOW!

[ANOTHER LOYALIST RETURNS]

Dear Matthew G. :
Wow !! Sounds like we are long lost twins! I Had to comment and say that The Point was my choice to defer from premature Christmas music as well
( with no disrespect to another listener WAY above... I pray to God , and I like Christmas music , but NOT ON NOVEMBER 20th !!! Maybe it's a "native Floridian" thing? No contest.) I still listen to THE POINT, their ( young ! ) Jocks are funny and talented, though I painfully miss the Bouffant Buffet, and like you, am now hooked on more '80's music than I was familiar with. Being from the '60's, I am catching up to 80's stuff...I guess that makes me 20 years younger, if one stretches it !
Okay, that aside, we are so aligned on the unique esscence of Marvin and how he represented the station.
His velvet voice is so unique.His Request touch is gourmet. He doesn't just say "Okay, here ya go..."...he responds to the SLIGHTEST OP for humour, and , more importantly, SYMPATICO....as You stated..I think many of us know that he probably "saved a couple people's lives", right there in the moment on the air , conscious or not, because we heard the calls...he handles the Milk of Human Kindness as well as he does razzing the " MacArthur Park Lady"...( gee, I miss her. I refuse to call her "crazy", because I think she is a brilliant comedienne. Hats off to you, my darlin', if you're out there!!!!! )

CHASE >> It's these "gray areas" that were made GOLD areas by the intelligence of Marvin, Bill, Mike, Jack, and others.

Thanks for reading this,, and for being United , Matthew G and others. I hope WRBQ "freezes over" and we get 'em back !

FOR THE RECORD...I'll be honest..all the interchange about Nikki Cruz has got me a bit upset. My suggestion is let's back up and stress the POSITIVES that we miss...my heartfelt suggestion. That is our main issue .My personal feeling is that Ms Cruz is fine, intelligent and pleasant at what she does, and took over for Carrie Kirkland ( I also liked her ) without missing a step. Ms Cruz is not a member of the "New Regime"... we can give her some respect, and hope that she keeps her earned post if the TEAM returns. No disrespect intended to anyone here...I want to be like Marvin when I grow up !

[BILLY DAY]

DEAR WHOMEVER

THIS IS A DAMN SHAME. I HAVE LIVED HERE ALL MY LIFE 53 YEARS AND THIS MAKES NO SENSE TO ME WHAT SO EVER. MARVIN PLAYED MY WEDDING RECEPTION AND WAS GREAT. HE TALKED ME INTO CRUISES AND WE LOVED THEM AND LOOKED FORWARD TO THEM. MASON IS STILL GOOD BUT NOW I MUST CHANGE THE DIAL. GOOD LUCK WITH THE ROBOTS.