A Crummey Day at KTAR-FM

Dozens of you have sent emails today asking about something you've heard on KTAR-FM, or something someone told you they heard on KTAR-FM.

"Is it true?"

"Please tell me when he'll be on."

Those are just some of the things you've been asking in your notes.

The answer is: Yes, it's true. Joe Crummey has joined the KTAR-FM team. Crummey makes his debut on FM radio this Thursday morning. This is something he, and KTAR-FM, have wanted for quite some time and something we're excited to finally be able to announce.

Some background might be helpful to those of you asking, who the heck is Joe Crummey. The quick answer is he was on AM radio in Phoenix for the last several years. His afternoon program was one of talk radio's most successful programs in this market.

Crummey was abruptly fired a few months ago when the station he worked for decided to go after an older audience with a slower-paced all-politics format. Getting rid of Crummey when moving in that direction was a wise move because he certainly didn't fit the mold. His approach of talking about the biggest stories of the day in an entertaining way, veering off politics when it bored him, and refusing to call Mayor Phil Gordon a KKK clansman made him stand out as too contemporary for that style of talk radio, and a perfect fit for KTAR-FM.

Crummey and I have talked for months about finding a great fit for him and for KTAR-FM. We've discussed various show concepts. Who knows what the future holds, but for now, Joe will become a contributor to Arizona's Morning News with Ned & Connie.

You'll be able to hear Crummey's take on the day's issues in a brief commentary during the 7 o'clock hour each weekday morning. His first piece airs this Thursday on FM News/Talk 92-3 KTAR.

This is a great introduction of Joe Crummey to the KTAR-FM audience. It's my hope that you'll hear him in a longer form setting from time to time in the near future.

Finally, let me briefly address a few previous posts I've made on this blog several months ago about Joe Crummey. Those of you who've been reading this blog for a long time know I was highly critical of Crummey's previous employer for being less than truthful about the show he did for them.

You see, that station went out of their way to make its audience believe Crummey's talk show was being done from Phoenix, when it fact Joe was doing it from Southern California. I thought that was less than honest and downright unethical. I've talked with Joe about this. He agrees. It wasn't his decision.

In the commentaries Crummey will be doing for KTAR-FM, he will never claim to be in Phoenix or the Valley. He will do them each morning from his family's home in Southern California.

It's important that's on the record.

Now it is.

Comments

[Carey Ann Parker]

You guys are sooooo lucky to have Joe - Joe - Joe Crummey in your market. All those other guys are boring! Who give's a rat's as... Whether he's in So. Cal or Phoenix or on the moon. He has his thumb on the pulse of what smart, interesting people are REALLY interested in, plus he's smart, witty and phenomenally entertaining. Yeah, you just try to do three hours of talk radio every day and see what it's like -- then you'll appreciate him even more... when you CAN get him!!!! Enjoy while you can, these days programmers treat most talk radio guys and girls like the dirt on the bottom of their shoes, they are highly dispensable and easily replaced with younger, less expensive "right wing so-called hate talent." That's one of the biggest problems in radio -- programming versus sales and what grabs listener's ears, usually right wing hate talk, like Limbaugh, Hannity and all the others. Unfortunately guys like Joe Crummey just can't do the hate crap, however I suspect he can look himself in the mirror each morning and feel good knowing he's doing a great entertaining, smart and fun show, even if serving a smaller radio market! Enjoy while you can in your market!

[Pat]

Here is a crummy moment for you. I am unemployed and would love a job doing anything. Meanwhile my father is dying form cancer and we can't get the medication because his co-pay is $3945.00 for 90 days worth of pills. The doctor’s office took 2 months to fill out the assistance form and put the wrong kind of cancer on the form so he was denied and has to reapply. Why is it incompetent people can find work everywhere and someone who cares about getting it right can find a job.

[Nancy]

It's easy to see which side of the political party road you are on. I can't believe that you thought McCain was intelligent regarding the forum the other day. All he could do was talk about himself, his military experience and tell his little stories. I thought he was disgusting and I liked Obama's answers 100% better than McCain. If I were a cartoonist, I'd draw a picture of McCain holding a rifle and patting himself on the back.

[Wade Collins]

Russ, a PD with a blog. Very impressive, how edgy. Big advice little guy hire
Crummey full time. Start acting big league
instead of a KSL stooge.

[Cecimorr]

Glenn Beck, I promised not to listen to your yelling, screaming and teenage girl hysterics,but I couldn't help listening while changing stations, you were hysterical slamming Hillary. Unbelievable, you showed your hatred for women, talking about HRC,being bias, you are the bias and prejudice one. You have severe emotional problems, and probably hate Clinton because she reminds you of your mother. (sorry)you talk show people have problems, because the world is not functioning the way you want. or maybe you do anything for rating and the almighty dollar.

[talk radio fan]

What a bunch of hypocrites. You criticized KFYI not just because they [supposedly] tried to hide the fact that Crummey wasn't local but just for the fact that he WASN'T local. You went on and on about how you believe in having LOCAL talent. Ankarlo bragged about how he moved here from Dallas so he could be a LOCAL host. Now KTAR hires Crummey. {shaking my head at the hypocrisy}

[talk radio fan]

What a bunch of hypocrites. You criticized KFYI not just because they [supposedly] tried to hide the fact that Crummey wasn't local but just for the fact that he WASN'T local. You went on and on about how you believe in having LOCAL talent. Ankarlo bragged about how he moved here from Dallas so he could be a LOCAL host. Now KTAR hires Crummey. {shaking my head at the hypocrisy}

[talk radio fan]

What a bunch of hypocrites. You criticized KFYI not just because they [supposedly] tried to hide the fact that Crummey wasn't local but just for the fact that he WASN'T local. You went on and on about how you believe in having LOCAL talent. Ankarlo bragged about how he moved here from Dallas so he could be a LOCAL host. Now KTAR hires Crummey. {shaking my head at the hypocrisy}

[michael]

I Love Crummey, 1 minute is good but more would be better! To be honest the first time I heard him on the radio I didnt care too much for him but as I gave him more time he grew on me. At one point he was the only radio personality I wanted to listen to. I became a loyal listener. I will do the same wherever he talks (even if it is only in one minute segments;-))

Michael

[Carsonphoenix]

How about bringing Preston Westmorland back as well as Ted Simons...They defined KTAR in the afternoons as far as I am concerned. We don't need "Hollywood" talk show hosts like Beck and Ankarlo...KTAR getting better? I don't think so.

[Walter]

Bring Joe into the 3-7 slot and get rid of Mac. I turn the radio to other stations when Mac Watson is on.

[L. Jaskoski]

First you get Phil Hendrie, now Joe Crummy. You seem to be building a syndicated format out of KFYI's cast-offs. All ya gotta do now is get rid of that Gaydos guy and replace him with that Leykis dude, and you'll be 3 for 3 in getting your competition's rejects.
(Does anybody here still remember when Leykis worked here?)

[jiarby]

yay!
Where will Gaydo work now??

[UH Warriors]

will Joe's diddley still be played or did that stay with the other station? Joe's got a mean diddley -- play it if you can. I guess I'll have to tune in to hear.

[Joe Jacari]

Give Crummey his own show and let him fly.

Don't just pidgeonhole him into segments.

Let him roll...

And remember, never, ever let Leibosheist near a friggen' mic again in your life.

I need a show myself, so I can take on the libs.

Peace!

[Mike]

What? Couldn't get Charles Goyette? Other than this relentless attack on the Bush administration, he's a great host that actually lives in Phoenix. Check him out at http://www.1100kfnx.com/goyette.php

As an aside, I love KTAR's relentless pressure on illegal aliens. Keep up the good work!

[George C.]

I used to only listen to 550 but since you added Ankcarlo and Mac that's all I listen to now. Joe Crummy was 550's best guy. Great addition to your list.

[Dan]

I like Joe...but DO NOT REPLACE GLENN BECK...Bringing on Glenn Beck is the best decision KTAR has done in a very long time.

So..back to Joe..I think he is a good addtion to Ned and Connie..but that is as an ADDITION..not a replacement..

The only recent change that I do not feel has added to KTAR is Mac Watson..The rest is great..Please don't change Glenn, Ned and Connie nor Gaydos..

[Bob Walters]

I hope Crummey eventually replaces Glen Beck....Now that would be a great move for the listeners. Glen Beck should have never been put on KTAR. 12 noon to 3 PM is the only time KTAR is turned off.

[Marilyn Williams]

Watch out Ned and Connie.

[Tom]

The Evil One is BACK!

Welcome back Crummey, you have been truly missed.

[Carolyn]

That's EEEEVVIILLL!!!!

Welcome back to Phoenix Joe!

[Bob]

GREAT MOVE KTAR!

I love Joe Crummey and haven't listened to KFYI since they fired him and hired that has been in the afternoons. I can't wait to hear him Thursday morning. Maybe he can step in for Ankarlo some times too?

[Captain Howdy]

Oh, the irony.

Remember the furor you had about Crummey?

Now, you run back and hire him.

Do you ever, ever stick to any ideal or decision you have?

FWIW, Crummey is vastly more talented than that dullard windbag Ankarlo and the less than stellar Mac Watson.

Further, 3 hours of Crummey snoring is more intelligent and witty than anything Gaydos can do.

Do yourself a favor, hire Crummey on to replace Dumb Darryl, and play static during Gaydos' show, it will improve the station.