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Dukree Leaves KRMG For City Of Tulsa!!!

G

GeneSavage

To quote in part from http://krmg.com/news/112006newsheads.html:
KRMG Radio announced longtime News Director John Durkee has stepped down from his position to become the new Communications Director for the City of Tulsa.

Mayor Kathy Taylor made the announcement shortly after Durkee's last broadcast on KRMG at 8:30 Thursday morning.

Durkee started with the radio station, on his daughter's third birthday, in 1989.

Durkee became the KRMG News Director in 1991 and was elevated to News Director for Cox Radio's entire Tulsa operation in 1998.

During his tenure at the radio station, Durkee moderated the Tulsa Kiwanis Debate Series.

He was also the voice of KRMG's StormCenter coverage, often reporting from the field in severe weather.

While serving as News Director, the station has won countless awards for its journalism excellence, including citations from the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters, The Associated Press, The Society of Professional Journalists and four coveted Edward R, Murrow Awards from the Radio and Television News Directors Association.

Durkee was a featured speaker at the 2006 Society of Professional Journalists National Convention in Chicago.

For the past year, he had served as the morning news anchor on KRMG as well as sister station K95.5FM.
Click to expand...

Way to go, John! Admittedly, there is now a huge HOLE in news & weather coverage on Tulsa radio, but still... I'm happy for you, man. I hope it's an enjoyable, and less STRESSFUL, situation. It's a shame nobody could snap up your talent, but I'm guessing with your new job, none of us can afford you now. 8)
 
Congratulations John! I'm sure hope you will enjoy the better pay and better hours, you deserve it! I've got to admit, the announcement came as a shock.
Now that John's gone, is it too soon to ask who's going to fill those shoes? You've got some experienced talent in that newsroom if you ask me.
 
John Durkee is another prime example of top notch, cream of the crop major market professionalism and on air talent in Tulsa broadcasting. He has made a true contribution to the very unique mix of great personalities who have graced our airwaves. A great newsman and a great presenter of news. He will be terribly missed.

After I retired from radio, as a matter of fact it was at Alan Caperton's funeral, a total stranger walked up and told me I had no idea how many lives I had touched over my 34 years in radio. I was genuinely touched by the well intended remark. And it's exactly what I would say to John if he was in my studio right now.

John, you became a household name. My family for time in memorium has had the radio tuned to 740 KRMG. You touched countless lives and yes you did make a difference. You kept us informed and at times even entertained. Indeed you are why KRMG was truly one of America's best radio stations. From the bottom of my heart I wish you the very best success as you continue to follow your career path. I know you will be a wonderful asset to the City of Tulsa. Tulsa broadcasting and the city itself is a much better place with you in it.

Your Brother in Broadcasting,
Bob O'Shea, The Lyin' King
 
Wow. Thank you guys. I am humbled. I have spent a third of my-life in the news director's chair at KRMG. It is time for that chair to be aired out... in more ways than one. I was approached about the city position and it just felt right. There is no knock on KRMG or its staff. Great people all. They took me out to a good-bye lunch at McGills this afternoon--- and I didn't even have-to-leave the tip.

Dick Loftin, who recently joined the KRMG staff remarked, whenever he comes to work where I am, I quit. This started 30-years ago, when we were both a lot younger (and thinner). He joined the staff at the Rockin' 97 just months before I left. I hope Dick stays away from City Hall.

I have heard from a lot of folks since the news on the new job was released, even Morning Mouth McCarthey called-up to giggle-and-grin.

Broadcasting is in my blood. If the City of Tulsa is going to "communicate" effectively, I will have to be involved in our wonderful industry. Now, I'll just be on the other side of the mic.

Thanks again for the nice words.
 
Congrads on the lower stress gig John. You have truely built a station legacy at KRMG that will be hard to follow. No other in this state holds a candle to what your news department on the radio can produce. The City of Tulsa certainly made the right choice by asking you to join their team. You are truely one of the best.
 
Durk...you were the very best at what you did...I know you'll kick too-kus for our great city.

Here's an answer you might keep on file mentally for just the right question..

Not only "no", but HELL no!!!

(don't have to pay me a royalty for that one...)
 
Someone told me John Records LanDurkee was receiving tributes and accolades on this board, so I felt compelled (actually, he bribed me & I need the $$$...by the way did you SEE the bucks he's pullin' down? But I digress) to add mine as well. John & I did morning's at The Rockin' 97 KAKC in the last of it's "glory days" (& why isn't anyone in town playing that song?) and had a great time doing the....wait for it...show (yes, that's what they were back when Larry White and some guy named Marconi were our engineers). John always put up with the crazy ---- I wanted him to do (credibility, he don't need no stinkin' credibility) from him co-hosting fake Thanksgiving Day parades to playing along with the goofy games like the Turley Triangle. John was a true partner early on exhibiting that very special sick mind one needs to be successful in our business, and it was a hoot to work with him. I've been fortunate to make some pretty good hires over the eons in Tulsa radio...and then there was John (insert rim-shot here). John you are a true pro, you will kick ass for the mayor and the city! Good luck my friend.
Mike
 
Durkee is a class act and a solid competitor. They will need someone good to fill that position since John set the bar so high. Dick Loftin is a solid candidate for the job. Glenn would be good too. Nobody delivered storm coverage like Durkee. Tuning in over the past few storms has sounded like American Broadcasting School. Some guy named Tolly was on. Must be the boss' son. Just lame. The information was bad and the delivery was worse. Crocket has a great set of pipes. Neil Kennedy (a former Ranchand) sounds great too.

I bet Durkee will be back once he sees the real side of city government.
 
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