Earlier today I announced to our staff some changes to the lineup of KTAR-FM. Tomorrow marks Kid Stevens' last day as a full-time talk show host on KTAR-FM. More about him in a minute. The lineup change will be moving Larry Gaydos to 7-10pm and adding Phil Hendrie to the KTAR-FM lineup from 10pm-1am.
I'll write more in the next few days about Gaydos and Hendrie. Both are talented guys who will be a good team in the evenings for us. Again, more on them in a day or two. Today, I want to make a few comments about Kid.
I hired Kid last Fall. I've only been in the Valley for 16 months. So, I never heard him and Rueben during their decade together as morning show jocks on hip hop stations here. I did know of their success and was interested in talking to Kid when he contacted me asking for a conversation.
Before I meet with any talent I do my homework. I do a LOT of homework. In this case I wanted to learn more about why Kid had been fired from his job at another broadcasting company. The company claimed Kid had made racially inflammatory comments about Hurricane Katrina victims. I looked into those claims.
They were bogus.
I hate it when people don't tell the truth. I hate it when managers don't shoot straight with employees. My experience is most managers don't have enough backbone to tell the truth, when it's unpleasant. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I have always been a blunt communicator. I also like it when others communicate with me that way. Don't waste my time with crap. If I'm not getting the job done, tell me. If I am doing an awesome job, reward me. Just shoot straight.
I wasn't involved in the firing of Kid & Reuben nearly two years ago. I don't have all the details. But, I also know that in a few weeks, when Kid returns to morning radio at another station in another format, I will be cheering for him. He's one of the good guys. He's hungry. He works his tail off. He goes above and beyond. He is a pleasure to work with. He's a class act.
So, while I'm personally disappointed Kid is leaving KTAR-FM, I'm thrilled for his opportunity in music radio. While most radio people and managers would hide details like those I'm sharing, I will instead take the opportunity to heap praise and explain what's happening. If you've read this blog at all you know I think a lot of what happens in this industry is crap. We don't operate that way here. So, Kid will talk on the radio tomorrow about leaving. He'll mention the station he's going to. He'll talk about why he made this decision. He won't simply disappear.
And, in a classy move, his new employer, has agreed to permit him to fill-in on KTAR-FM for vacationing hosts from time to time. We'll be using him.
So, to wrap up, I'm bummed to lose Kid as one of our daily talk show hosts.
But, I'm thrilled his Redemption Day has arrived.
He's back in hip hop and he will soon be causing the station that shoved him out the door two years ago to regret that decision.
And, I'll be cheering.
Phil Hendrie is a huge disappointment. What were you thinking?! He is so bad, I have to switch stations during that time slot. Please, please, please reconsider!
Posted by: Julie | July 23, 2007 at 08:29 AM
Hey Russ, McMahon did a 30 minute infomercial the other day with the CEO of a sponsor, LifeLock.
It was not real radio, just a long advertisement for the product. Well, it seems that LifeLock has lots of problems ethically and legally, how about having the author of the stories from New Times on Pat's show to make KTAR more fair and balanced?
Or, are you afraid of exposing a sponsor?
Posted by: Captain Howdy | July 22, 2007 at 09:32 PM
You are a class act. What a refreshing post from a true radio professional.
Posted by: Matt Spaetzel | July 20, 2007 at 01:16 AM
You are a class act. What a refreshing post from a true radio professional.
Posted by: Matt Spaetzel | July 20, 2007 at 01:15 AM
Dear Mr Hill,
I am emailing you and posting a comment on your blog about the changes in the KTAR line-up. I am an avid fan of your entire lineup but my favorite is Gaydos After Dark. I think Larry is the most talented person on radio, but there is something missing since you moved him to 7-10pm and that is Benjamin Nicks on with Gaydos during his last half hour. You absolutely have to reunite Gaydos with B-Nicks. It was the most entertaining segment of the show.
So please, do whatever it takes to get this segment back on the air. Change B-Nicks schedule if you have too! I love hearing him do the news and then do something completely different in the BS with B-Nicks segment.
Thanks for listening just as I listen to your station!
Posted by: Charles Peterson | July 20, 2007 at 12:55 AM
I really like the new lineup, Gaydos is one of the reasons I started listening to KTAR. However I would really like it if Bnicks was able to come in a bit early and do another segment with Gaydos. It is really missed from the whole act.
Posted by: Zachay R Felker | July 19, 2007 at 05:08 PM
I am disappointed in the new format, but I also know from the past that if you wait, it will change again. My one complaint is Dankarlo (sp?) lead in stmt regarding the take off on the Pledge of Allegiance - this is a real disgrace to our country and to the ones who are fighting for our country. I do not find it funny at all. For now I will just turn to Sports, or to KYOT for calm radio.
Posted by: Marjorie | July 19, 2007 at 02:59 PM
Sorry! I wish Kid all the luck in the world but 101.5 always seems to keep failing and the last thing the Valley needed was another Rap station....
I give it less than a year and the Kid returns to KTAR 92.3.....
He was very good and is hard to replace as he was passionate on talk radio....
How about a reunion between Gaydos and Pamela Hughs???
THAT WOULD BE FANTASTIC!!!!
Posted by: The Kid will be back..... | July 19, 2007 at 03:41 AM
I am so happy for Kid!! I have to say that I will miss hearing you on KTAR and it is because of you I started listening faithfully to KTAR!!! Finally someone from our generation - speaking the TRUTH!!!! Don't worry Kid about some of those comments - funny how they want to shoot you down now - all they had to do was turn the dial - as for me and the other THOUSANDS of listeners you are the BEST and I can't wait until you and Ruben are back in action again!!! To the programmer - I commend you in your approach to this situation - I think you are a class act!!! It is about time employers start standing behind decisions that people need to do for themselves and their families! For that, I will continue to listen on my drive home from work!!! Good Luck to Kid & Ruben, and Mr. Hill!
Posted by: Jodie | July 18, 2007 at 09:06 PM
Good riddance. Kid wasn't just annoying, he was boring. He's the schmaltzy back-slapper at a party that people desperately try to avoid. Add to that the fact that he's incapable of a thought deeper than half an inch, and you have a true world-class dork. His fans must be all the mouth-breathers out there who think the Weekly World News is the real deal. Can you tell I'm glad he's gone?
Posted by: Grant | July 18, 2007 at 10:53 AM
Mazel'tov on having both Gaydos and Hendrie back to back. I happen to enjoy evening radio and both of these guys bring the off-the-wall substance often missing in radio today. (Reminds me of the stuff I pulled when I was a jock back in upstate NY many, many years ago). Keep up the great programming....and lets get going on the weekend fillers.
Posted by: Pete Snyder | July 18, 2007 at 07:56 AM
Ooop's
no spell check on this blog
"Extend"
Posted by: sam | July 17, 2007 at 07:31 PM
Thank god kid is gone. I think he was too much of a racist. Mr. know it all. Bring back David libo even at night. or ectend gydos 7-midnight, 7-midnight, 7-midnight
as u know that how he should roll. It is good to have ankarlo during the week. but to repeat him on the weekend, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, PLZ. keep it new and local. Even nikki buchanan would be better yeah food show. you have everything else. actually Rob Hunter is not bad. What happened to heidi F? You know what Ted need another show with his opinion sat gig from him. any way KTAR Rules.
Posted by: sam | July 17, 2007 at 07:29 PM
Must be hard on a Station that keeps pushing the "Local Talk" station in its advertising and now they go out and contract with a National show such as Phil Hendrie. I just don't find his show entertaining nor is it very local...
Moving Gaydos up is a no brainer, I enjoy his show and I am not sure why so many people dis-like him. Like Hendrie, Gaydos puts on a different type of show... He just takes the opposite opinion of whatever is popular to get a rise out of them...
I feel bad for Gaydos in a way, now Beverly Kidd can't drop in on him and Kent Dana has no one to listen to on his way home from Channel 5.
Please bring someone local in and don't keep Phil Hendrie. Now I will have nothing to listen to after Gaydos, but know maybe I will get to bed earlier.
John Palmay
Posted by: John Palmay | July 17, 2007 at 11:48 AM
Give Phil a chance. The Phil Hendrie Show is the great show in radio history.
Posted by: Justin | July 16, 2007 at 02:12 PM
Mr. Hill,
You are truly a class act!! Loved the blog and totally admire you to standing behind Kid and what you both believe in! You are truly one of a kind!! For all the Kid and Ruben fans we THANK YOU!!
Posted by: Stacy | July 15, 2007 at 09:03 PM
Bummer on losing Kid, but congrats to him for the opportunity, and kuddos to you on the way you have handled it.
On another note, bring back Leibowitz, it was a crime that he was taken off the air. And convince Femino to go back to a full time show.
Thanks!
Posted by: KTAR Junkie | July 15, 2007 at 08:27 PM
Mr. Hill, Your awesome! The events over the last few days involving Kid, and him openly saying farewell, live on KTAR, on Friday. Then I read your blog, and you discussed it.Wow,what a great boss you must be. That was one of the most stand up moves, I have witnessed in a very, very long time.
Best of luck to you, this world needs more people like you!
Norm Clark
Posted by: Norman Clark | July 15, 2007 at 07:47 AM
I think Gaydos has been bummed about his timeslot. I don't think he's every really applied himself as much as he should. Now is his time to shine...I really believe the talent is there, but his heart wasn't in it. Well, GAME ON Gaydos!
I hope you can talk Russ into having Dave around long term. He's a funny dude and has one of those voices you just want to listen to.
Posted by: Hooka | July 15, 2007 at 12:59 AM
So, Kid is leaving...O.K., I wish him much success. You have got to be kidding about Phil Hendrie right? I like his show, and get his sthick but He is too sophisicated for Valley listeners. Also once you understand what he is doing it is no fun anymore. Hendrie has been on two stations here in the Valley over the last several years with little or no listenership---Phoenicians do not understand that his show is satire. So,are you purposely trying to perpetuate Phoenix's image as a late night radio getto? How about mixing things up a little and instead of Hendrie(who is not in the Talkers Magazine Hot 100) air someone like Jerry Doyle or Stephanie Miller who definately have a significant audience share and are certainly entertaining!
Posted by: Radio Ranch Hand | July 14, 2007 at 01:14 AM
Wishing Kidd best wishes and hope Phil Hendrie gives us late night peeps quality entertainment. Still will miss teh BS with Bnicks at 1130 but hope Gaydos keeps the segment.
Thanks for the update and KEEP GAYDOS shooting machismo on the FM!
Posted by: Gregory | July 14, 2007 at 12:29 AM
Russ, what happened to Heidi Fogelsong? We never heard why she left the afternoon news.
Posted by: J | July 13, 2007 at 11:59 PM
Phil Hendrie is the most talented man in radio today. He is not at the top of his game as he was a few years back, but, even on the worst of nights he is miles ahead of anyone else.
Phil is a performance artist, if you have never heard him before, I won't spoil it. He is something we don't get these days, funny and original, without pandering or changing his opinions to blow with the wind, or what the demographics say.
I'm sure that Phil will annoy the bluehairs like Edna from Sun City which make up the rapidly dying former core of KTAR's listeners, but too bad.
Russ, I've given you tons of crap about KTAR, but this is the best decision you have made so far.
But Gaydos? Jeeez, he is awful, just awful, static is more enjoyable than Gaydos.
And, its time to give Pat McBland a proper viking funeral.
Posted by: Captain Howdy | July 13, 2007 at 10:52 PM
I grew up listening to Kid here in the valley. As I feel I have somewhat outgrown the hip hop morning show format, I was so thrilled to hear him on KTAR. I felt he was a fresh perspective especially for my generation. He made me excited to tune into KTAR. He has a wit and objevtivity that is extremely refreshing. I feel that he had a great way of engaging his audience, even when they didn't always agree with his opinions. I was to glad to hear him filling in over the last week. I am extremely disappointed to see him go, but I wish him the very best. I will continue listening to KTAR, but, in losing Kid, I am definitely losing my favorite radio talk show host.
Posted by: Nicole | July 13, 2007 at 10:51 PM
Kid was a breath of fresh air for the evening talk time. The afternoon watercooler with Kid, Gail & Pat, even though Gaydos was there, was great. It's the only time I could handle listening to Gaydos. I start my morning with Ned & Connie and will now end my KTAR listening time with Ted & Jayme (unless you mess that one up too). I won't tune in for Gaydos (waste of my time)and it sounds like Larry King's going too. Oh well, Best of Luck to Kid, hope to catch him during daytime fill-ins. (Isn't someone going on vacation again soon?)
Posted by: Jenna | July 13, 2007 at 10:16 PM