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From the Springfield state journal register
WQLZ losing show host Lytle
Illinois native sees opportunity ahead
By JASON PISCIA
STAFF WRITER
Ray Lytle, whose "Morning Disaster" show on WQLZ-FM 92.7 has made many radio listeners laugh and cringe for nearly a decade, will leave the Springfield rock station next month.
Glen Gardner, general manager of Mid-West Family Broadcasting, which owns WQLZ, made the announcement Friday afternoon. No mention of the move was made during Lytle's Friday show.
"We want to take this opportunity to thank Ray for helping build WQLZ into the powerhouse that it is," Gardner said in a statement. "QLZ has been very fortunate to have a show like 'The Morning Disaster' for the past nine years."
Lytle, who wouldn't reveal his exact age but said he's in his mid-30s, said Friday he doesn't have another job lined up. But his contract at WQLZ is coming to an end, and he feels the current "radio landscape" is right for him to pursue a position in a bigger market instead of signing another multi-year deal in Springfield.
Lytle said a major feature of that landscape is radio shock jock Howard Stern's plans to move his nationally syndicated morning show, heard on more than 40 stations, to SIRIUS Satellite Radio in January.
"When (Stern) announced he was going to satellite, all of a sudden these radio stations who never had to worry about having a local rock morning show needed one," Lytle said. "As soon as Howard announced he was leaving, I started getting phone calls from people asking if I'd be interested in talking to them this fall.
"Basically it came down to the decision of either I signed another new long-term deal and stick here, or I take the opportunity to leave when those stations open up. It's time to actually try to go to a bigger city and see how my act works there."
The central Illinois native started his show on WQLZ in 1994, when he ran a syndicated version of it with co-host Jon Lamb from Peoria. After a brief stint in New York, Lytle was hired at WQLZ and brought the morning show back in 1996, naming it "The Morning Disaster."
Humor is the main theme of the show, although some of the talk can get tacky and turn off some listeners. The show also features comical segments from its "Mobile Unit," where cast members take to Springfield streets to pull pranks.
A few pranks have irritated passers-by and local police, such as when a cast member who was slathered in mayonnaise and placed on a giant bun was mistaken for someone having a medical problem, or when police stopped the station's Humvee after they saw a man dressed as a pumpkin riding on top of it.
Lytle said he's proud the show has had such staying power in Springfield over the years.
"It's been one of the longest-running morning shows on any active rock station in America," he said.
Gardner said the exact date of Lytle's last show has not been finalized, although he expects it will be during the first part of August.
He will be replaced in the morning slot by Valorie Knight, who Gardner said has a wealth of experience in multi-format radio. Most recently, she worked for Capitol Radio Group in Springfield, which owns five local radio stations. She also has worked at rock stations in Kansas City and Manchester, N.H.
"I felt really fortunate she was here in Springfield and this opportunity opened up," Gardner said. "I thought it would just be perfect. I'm just really glad that she agreed."
The format of Knight's show has not been determined, although it won't be a replica of "The Morning Disaster."
Gardner said he doesn't expect any of the various employees who appear on Lytle's show to lose their jobs because of the switch.
In addition to the hosting duties, Knight will serve an administrative role as operations manager at WQLZ and WMAY-AM 970, a talk station Mid-West owns.
Jason Piscia can be reached at 788-1525 or [email protected].
WQLZ losing show host Lytle
Illinois native sees opportunity ahead
By JASON PISCIA
STAFF WRITER
Ray Lytle, whose "Morning Disaster" show on WQLZ-FM 92.7 has made many radio listeners laugh and cringe for nearly a decade, will leave the Springfield rock station next month.
Glen Gardner, general manager of Mid-West Family Broadcasting, which owns WQLZ, made the announcement Friday afternoon. No mention of the move was made during Lytle's Friday show.
"We want to take this opportunity to thank Ray for helping build WQLZ into the powerhouse that it is," Gardner said in a statement. "QLZ has been very fortunate to have a show like 'The Morning Disaster' for the past nine years."
Lytle, who wouldn't reveal his exact age but said he's in his mid-30s, said Friday he doesn't have another job lined up. But his contract at WQLZ is coming to an end, and he feels the current "radio landscape" is right for him to pursue a position in a bigger market instead of signing another multi-year deal in Springfield.
Lytle said a major feature of that landscape is radio shock jock Howard Stern's plans to move his nationally syndicated morning show, heard on more than 40 stations, to SIRIUS Satellite Radio in January.
"When (Stern) announced he was going to satellite, all of a sudden these radio stations who never had to worry about having a local rock morning show needed one," Lytle said. "As soon as Howard announced he was leaving, I started getting phone calls from people asking if I'd be interested in talking to them this fall.
"Basically it came down to the decision of either I signed another new long-term deal and stick here, or I take the opportunity to leave when those stations open up. It's time to actually try to go to a bigger city and see how my act works there."
The central Illinois native started his show on WQLZ in 1994, when he ran a syndicated version of it with co-host Jon Lamb from Peoria. After a brief stint in New York, Lytle was hired at WQLZ and brought the morning show back in 1996, naming it "The Morning Disaster."
Humor is the main theme of the show, although some of the talk can get tacky and turn off some listeners. The show also features comical segments from its "Mobile Unit," where cast members take to Springfield streets to pull pranks.
A few pranks have irritated passers-by and local police, such as when a cast member who was slathered in mayonnaise and placed on a giant bun was mistaken for someone having a medical problem, or when police stopped the station's Humvee after they saw a man dressed as a pumpkin riding on top of it.
Lytle said he's proud the show has had such staying power in Springfield over the years.
"It's been one of the longest-running morning shows on any active rock station in America," he said.
Gardner said the exact date of Lytle's last show has not been finalized, although he expects it will be during the first part of August.
He will be replaced in the morning slot by Valorie Knight, who Gardner said has a wealth of experience in multi-format radio. Most recently, she worked for Capitol Radio Group in Springfield, which owns five local radio stations. She also has worked at rock stations in Kansas City and Manchester, N.H.
"I felt really fortunate she was here in Springfield and this opportunity opened up," Gardner said. "I thought it would just be perfect. I'm just really glad that she agreed."
The format of Knight's show has not been determined, although it won't be a replica of "The Morning Disaster."
Gardner said he doesn't expect any of the various employees who appear on Lytle's show to lose their jobs because of the switch.
In addition to the hosting duties, Knight will serve an administrative role as operations manager at WQLZ and WMAY-AM 970, a talk station Mid-West owns.
Jason Piscia can be reached at 788-1525 or [email protected].