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15 Year News Veteran Paul Crockett Dumped From KRMG

G

GeneSavage

In a move I can only describe as "confusing," Cox Radio Tulsa has decided that, after 15 years, Paul Crockett's deep voice & his talent for anchoring StormCenter breaking weather events is not needed for their local radio station... a radio station which is known for StormCenter breaking weather events. :mad:

This comes not long after the rumor mill started buzzing that Durkee and Stewart and Crane (all alumni of the KRMG "glory days") over at FM 89.5 / KWGS kicked tail and took names in the latest rating book.

Today, Crockett was seen having lunch with Durkee and Stewart and some of the other displaced KRMG legends (Kennedy, Dowdell)... wonder what was on the menu?? ;D

After hearing somebody on the air after the first Okie earthquake who sounded like they'd trip over answering the McDonald's drive-thru, I can't understand the logic of what's going on over there... I DO know if I was at KRMG, and talented (Schroeder, for example), I'd be shaking in my shoes!!!

...On the other hand, maybe the answer is to get your resume in over at the University of Tulsa's FM powerhouse NOW; looks like they are the future of (quality) Tulsa radio news!

In a related story: experts predict more and more KRMG radio news stories will consist of TV news story audio. ::)
 
NightAire-- You might be witnessing a so-called cost-saving move, the kind we saw happen a few years ago on Denver's local FOX-Affilliate. Channel 31 fired one of Colorado's most prestigious and beloved newscasters, Steve Kelly. Steve's morning news delivery was flawless; he rose head and shoulders above the crowd of amateurish clowns gaining such a painful foothold on today's local TV venues.

Steve was stimulating. His on-air successors are sedative. They tempt viewers to climb back into bed. Weather reporting is critical, especially in your market. Unlike the fallout on Denver's Channel 31, I hope Crockett's successor(s) prove(s) worthy of the task at hand.
 
It's proving over and over again that commercial broadcasters do not value their talent as much as they should. TU on the other hand does. Although ratings aren't as important as fundraising/membership to those in the non-comm community, it does serve as a weather-vain of how good the folks at TU are doing. Before they got John, they were one of Oklahoma's best non-comms. Now they have raised the bar even more. Ratings sort of prove that. If you guys believe in talent and people that do things right, consider joining and supporting KWGS and supporting their underwriters. Their "business model" is one of the best. They are directly responsible and get paid by those that support them, not stockholders or the stock exchange day traders. :)
 
Folks:

You can’t work with a group of guys for 20-years without becoming close friends. We routinely have lunch, visit each others’ homes and go to dinner with our wives (Neal brings his girl friend). Under the circumstances, Paul was invited to join us for lunch. Nothing sinister or clandestine here.

I hired Paul at KRMG. He is a great reporter and I was saddened when I heard the news. I don’t know what brought about his demise at KRMG or the rationale. Frankly, it ceased to be my worry when I decided to leave in 2008.

While I hate to hear of anyone losing a job in this economy, especially a friend, for KWGS to achieve its strategic goals, I must focus on our product and make it as targeted and compelling as possible. That was also my goal while at KRMG.

I appreciate your kind words about the KWGS product. We are having fun and, at least to some measure, “kicking tale and taking names”.

Thanks!

Durk
 
There are people surprised by this? It's late November! At this point almost everyone decides how many chopping blocks to get out 1] So the GM can make his annual override and 2] Next year's budget will look prettier.
 
TTowner said:
There are people surprised by this? It's late November! At this point almost everyone decides how many chopping blocks to get out 1] So the GM can make his annual override and 2] Next year's budget will look prettier.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't blame anyone for feeling that way, but I hope you're wrong.
 
The only other answer is that he wasn't getting the job done and I certainly don't subscribe to that. OH...just got word that, in light of Westboro Baptist Church's deal with a Stillwater station owner not to appear at the memorial service today, they'll be coming to Tulsa to protest Paul's firing.
 
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