I found a complete and cogent explanation of the decline and fall of commerical radio right here.
So what is happening with all those ex-DJs, at least the ones who aren’t going to jail (See: Todd Kelly)?
One option for someone with the major skills of pushing buttons, making crude comedy and speaking publicly is, of course, political office. That’s the route being taken by Dwight Witten, who used to make those jokes on 93.1 The Fox in the mornings. His candidacy ought to be fun — I mean, who can imagine Doug Hawkins holding a fund-raiser at the Comedy Caravan? He’s running for Metro Council’s District 12 seat against Rick Blackwell.
More ex-local radio personality news here:
Scott Jennings has parlayed a stint as as a WHAS Radio reporter into a blossoming political career.
We’re actually kind of sorry that Joe Elliott, after losing his late-night show on WHAS Radio, opted not to run in the District 26 Metro Council race. The last we heard, Joe’s getting plenty of work filling in and working his Sunday show on WHAS.
His former colleague, Joe Arnold, managed to make the move from late-night radio to success as a TV reporter and anchor at WHAS.
Speaking of ex-radio personalities, we decided to look up John Ziegler, who left WHAS amidst some controversy in 2003. (remember Darcie Divita?) Last fall, Ziegler got himself fired from KFI in Los Angeles (read his LOOONG account of his tenure here). Anyone suprised that Ziegler found controversy, and trouble with his bosses, after he left town? Now he’s doing commentary three times a week at KGIL in L.A.
If you’ve got a longer memory, you’ll be interested to know that Ziegler’s predecessor, Jane Norris, hosts a radio show in Washington targeting federal government employees. Before that, she spent several years working in the Bush Administration.
Anybody else want to pitch in with a story about an ex-DJ or talk show host in Louisville?
6 responses so far ↓
1 Jerry Conder // Mar 7, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Reed Yadon used to be the very funny sidekick of Bill Bailey. I remember Bill evry morning saying, “Reed, put me to work,” and Reed would go into his intro. They did very well in the morning radio market. Now he’s all grown up and a respected meterologist. Makes me feel old. I remember one afternoon when Reed and Bill were toasting to each other’s good health at the airport’s “Luau Room,” and on their way home they were caught in a major traffic jam on 65. They started broadcasting reports from the radio in the WKLO Car or WAKY Mobile or something, while I assume an engineer was driving. Very funny. Like an old Foster Brooks bit.
2 Leslie Stewart // Mar 7, 2008 at 3:54 pm
For anyone who loved the old WAKY radio and wants to know, here’s a comprehensive history of who was who and who went where. It warms my heart to hear Johnny Randolph back on the air on the FM reincarnation (103.5 FM)
http://www.79waky.com/djs.htm
3 Steve Bittenbender // Mar 7, 2008 at 10:48 pm
I’m assuming Dwight wouldn’t have a problem with releasing tapes of his broadcasts?
4 Dwight Witten // Mar 8, 2008 at 9:21 am
Not at all
5 Radio Lover // Mar 10, 2008 at 6:54 am
I don’t remember the name on radio. Was he a long time personality?
6 GDF // May 19, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Actually Ziegler quit and was not fired. Also, it had more to do with a co worker than a boss or bosses. I listened to him quite often and he is one of the better talk show host. Your tiny Louisville market is laughable compared to LA looks like he did much better than your crappy town could offer him
Leave a Comment