Where are you, Bill Gardner?

[a_brndn]

I cannot believe KOOL 94.5 FM fired Bill Gardner. Mostly, I can't believe they replaced him with John Michaels and Maria Knight. I cannot bear to listen to their chatter in the early morning, especially on my way to work. I try to be calm in the traffic, but the Morning Crew makes me totally crazy! Bill Gardner was the best thing that ever happened to KOOL. Now it is their loss. I know Bill will be successful where ever he is, but Bill, we miss you so much!

 

[azenergyfan]

May I ask, how did his morning show rank in the ratings? By how everyone is going on and on about him, I would think he was destroying the competition. Or we just have alot of people loving the good times and great oldies

 

[a_brndn]

Hi,

I don't know what the ratings of his morning show was, but he was the most professional host KOOL has ever had. Have you listened to the morning show now? Constant laughing, very little hits are played. You would think John and Maria are turning it into a talk radio show.

 

[AZJoe]

May I ask, how did his morning show rank in the ratings? By how everyone is going on and on about him, I would think he was destroying the competition. Or we just have alot of people loving the good times and great oldies

VERY VERY WELL ( it was KOOL's top rated program/daypart, and you know how well KOOL did in the ratings)

 

[KOOL Listener Lauren]

I don't know how the morning show ranked either, but I do know it was one of THE top! And I thought somebody here did say it was the number one morning show, which was just another reason out of the millions why including him in the cutbacks was so darn stupid! Just the other day, the security guard at my school asked what happened to Bill Gardner. Did nobody say anything??

a_brndn, I'm glad to hear from you and I know how you feel! I actually really like John and Maria, but do admit that they do act a little different with Tom Peake than with Bill Gardner, as anyone would since they're different hosts... It just ain't the same. And I'm sorry, but I really really miss all the laughs in the morning. I miss the good ol' days when I can laugh ten times in one hour...

Just a completely different style now... different humor. Tom Peake is an awesome radio personality, I think he's one of the best, and the show isn't bad, but... he just can't take Bill's place... and when you have THIS (now) over THAT (then), which was better, in comparison, you still want the BETTER one (Bill Gardner Morning Show)! It's a no-brainer :-\

a_brndn, if you would like, you can write a letter to Dan Mason of CBS Radio telling him what you think, like many other listeners are! His address is here:

Dan Mason
CBS RADIO
1515 Broadway
New York, NY 10036

 

[oldiesfan6479]

Just a completely different style now... different humor. Tom Peake is an awesome radio personality, I think he's one of the best, and the show isn't bad, but... he just can't take Bill's place...

Peaker is much better as a solo act (i.e., middays).

Gardner is (I hate to use the word "was") much better at
keeping the supporting cast in line and playing off them
as straight man.

 

[a_brndn]

I agree that Tom Peake is awesome, and I really enjoyed the show yesterday, but Maria was gone to some cruise. but solo is better, I think. Maybe Maria would be better as a solo, I don't know. Why does KOOL need a pair? To keep up with other radio stations? Thanks for the info on a contact. When the shock is worn off, I'm sure life will go on as before. I hope they do bring Bill back, however, if he would want to come back!

 

[FeeKnixRadio]

It has become obvious that no one has access to ratings on here. If so, it would quickly become apparent that mornings on KOOL were not 'one of the top' or 'a number one morning show' or another misrepresentative label.

But, it is part of the beauty of the web where we can make reality whatever we want it to be : ???

 

[KOOL Listener Lauren]

It has become obvious that no one has access to ratings on here. If so, it would quickly become apparent that mornings on KOOL were not 'one of the top' or 'a number one morning show' or another misrepresentative label.

But, it is part of the beauty of the web where we can make reality whatever we want it to be : ???

That is just something I've read in various sources; yes, that's the web for ya... Sorry.
Just don't forget when Bill Gardner came to KOOL in 1999, the ratings made a huge gain... like #13 to #4 I believe it was? I was under the impression that since then, the show has remained "one of the top". But I guess that can be vague and depend on your point of view.
But ratings hardly have anything to do with this. If CBS Radio cared about the ratings (isn't AMD important?), none of this would have happened...

 

[FeeKnixRadio]

Understandable, Lauren. You're a listener and standing up for your favorite DJ is something that any one in radio would admire.

But from the other people who claim to be pro's and in the business it is silly.

As for ratings, whether Bill was a great guy or not, they may very well go up. Radio is an unpredictable beast.

 

[Radio Pro]

Fee..I think you miss the point.
For listeners of KOOL..ratings mean nothing. If it is their favorite music and station, and Bill was a morning
habit for them, then it is number one, regardless of ratings. I don't think you'll hear listeners say they listen to a particular station because it's number one rated. They listen because of the music and the on-air complement to their lifestyle. That makes them number one in the listener's ear.

You're seeing that passion and love of the station and Bill in the posts on this board.
We haven't seen this level of passion for a departing personality in quite some time.
Tim and Willy had somewhat of a reaction, but not on the level of Bill's following.
So something was right. The music..the news..the traffic..the morning and throughout the day.
It connected with the listeners. Ratings, as you know, are for the sales department to manipulate
and translate into bottom line balances.
Number one rating means only that agencies and local direct can be given a certain rate.

So give Bill his due. He has connected with his audience. And deserves the passionate
postings of his fans.

 

[msfiss]

Not a radio pro. but a loyal listener. I travel all over the country, and Bill was among the best of the early morning dj's anywhere! Interesting that KOOL has made it virtually impossible to register a complaint, and that Bill was summarily dismissed with no chance for an on-air good-bye. Less than professional process, and seems to indicate that someone somewhere knew that listeners would be displeased.

Anyone know how to register our complaint with CBS Radio? KOOL doesn't provide email contacts that are helpful, and the voice mailboxes are all full (no surprise there).

 

[john david clover]

In television and radio, a talent is never fired, and then let back on the air to say goodbye.

KOOL just followed standard procedure. In a business where job security is precarious, at best, Bill had a great run for nine years. As The Classics Four sing, "All good things must come to an end".

I'm enjoying the new morning show. Jon Michaels is especially getting to spread his wings. The guy is a crack up. Didn't know Peak was such a wit, either. Both men are fathers, and regular guys who do home projects on the weekends. I find them totally relatable, whereas private plane jaunts to Vegas every weekend is a bit removed from the average listener.

 

[landtuna]

John David,

I agree with your somewhat tongue-in-cheek slam at Bill G. Although I was a faithful listener for many years and probably would have remained one for years more I am actually happier with the new format. Despite it being somewhat silly at times there is far more variety with the new foursome chatting each other up as opposed to Bill G. doing the majority of the talking. I suspect they'll find their particular niche soon so we'll all be more comfortable with it.

That said, I wish Bill G. the best in finding another gig and I'm absolutely sure he will. I will be looking forward to hearing about him.

 

[KOOL Listener Lauren]

In television and radio, a talent is never fired, and then let back on the air to say goodbye.

They're never allowed to say goodbye after they had actually been told they're fired, or what about being told they were fired around the remaining half-hour of their show to allow them ample time to say goodbye? I'm just wondering about my second scenario... if that ever happens or if it's still a no-no.

Didn't know Peak was such a wit, either.

That's true!

Both men are fathers, and regular guys who do home projects on the weekends. I find them totally relatable, whereas private plane jaunts to Vegas every weekend is a bit removed from the average listener.

I can see your point of view on this. I'm sure the show appeals to many "regular guys"... after all, Tom's a father, also a big golfer, they talk about cars a ton, and the "man card".

I always thought of Bill's Vegas stories as entertaining. He mentions flying to Vegas again, and one can laugh and say "there he goes again!" ;D Once a pilot, always a pilot. Though, flying may not appeal to everyone (including me), I still would think he appeals to more people than Tom Peake would, with his great stories, personality, and ability of speaking TO the listeners; not just talking to John, Maria, and Joe.

 

[davideduardo]

It has become obvious that no one has access to ratings on here. If so, it would quickly become apparent that mornings on KOOL were not 'one of the top' or 'a number one morning show' or another misrepresentative label.

In the critical 25-54 demo, the show, in Fall, was not even in the top 10... in fact, it was 15th. The whole station was going out of the top 10 in the sales demos, and mornings was the lowest of all.

 

[junkmail]

I have to say - you all are pretty rightous and all knowing. I totally understand having a routine: waking up at the same time every morning; listening to the same radio station evey morning; driving to work the same way each and every morning...but my goodness...

I liked Bill too - he WAS part of our routine...but he also sounded like a pompus a$% sometimes. HIS show was very predictable...vegas, planes and sports every morning; sports, vegas and planes every morning.

John and Maria HAVE spread their wings now that Bill is gone...THEY ARE FUN, unpredictable and enertaining. I listen now and think that the mighty Bill may have been holding them back.

 

[Sam the butcher]

There was a total lack of spontaneity mornings on KOOL. It you're going to run that tight of a playlist, you'd better have some unpredictability between the songs.

Someone on here said it earlier. Despite the entire staff shake up, it's still KOOL, only better, and dare I say, younger.

And to add to an earlier posting.....Not only do you never fire someone and then give them airtime to bemoan the fact with weepy goodbyes, you don't usually let the person back into the building. Any of you remember when Cindy and Shelly were fired as morning show on KDKB? They inserted F-bombs in the middle of most of the commercial carts. Hell hath no fury.....!

 

[KOOL Listener Lauren]

There was a total lack of spontaneity mornings on KOOL. It you're going to run that tight of a playlist, you'd better have some unpredictability between the songs.

I don't know about you, but I think the new morning show's more predictable than Bill's. Not being biased, but I honestly believe that. But I know what you mean. I'll admit, they're doing better, but like I and many others have said, mornings are never going to be the same... Mornings are missing a lot!

Also... I saw somebody on this site mention that Bill filled-in afternoon drive on a Dallas station in February. He's not anymore, and that's all the info I got out of that... Maybe it was just a day, I don't know, but enough for this person to hate to see him go.

 

[uponenotch]

you should lauren. Nice picture of you in the KOOL studio. Who do ya have the in's with?