BLAKE ROGERS LET GO BY THE MOUNTAIN

KWMT FM 92.9 The Mountain has bounced program
director/morning co-host Blake Rogers—a move that caught
many people, including Rogers, by surprise.

“I don’t know what their plan was,” said Rogers. “It wasn’t
something, in my opinion, that had been thought about for very
long.”

Rogers joined the Clear Channel-operated station five years ago and
helped mold the AAA/adult-alternative format there—which is
probably the closest thing to “unique” among the cookie-cutter
corporate-radio formats in this market. The sudden firing suggests he
may have been on the losing end of a political battle with morning show
co-host Jennie Grabel.

“It’s been a challenge to find the right chemistry in the morning.
I’m the fourth co-host to be paired with Jennie in the last five
years,” said Rogers. “I was sent there to the morning show two years
ago to try to boost ratings. In fact, we were top 5 in the market
earlier this year for the first time ever. I think it’s a fair question
to ask why they would go back to something that wasn’t working.”

Rogers began his stint at The Mountain as the music director and as
a weekday-afternoon DJ. He eventually gained the title of assistant
program director and later program director.

The element of surprise in his dismissal is furthered by Rogers’
relationship with Clear Channel Tucson operations manager Tim
Richards (who was unavailable for comment): The two are
cousins.

“He was the one who let me go, but that has nothing to do with this.
I was never protected by family,” Rogers said. “I was probably a little
more scrutinized than the average employee just based on that. When I
was hired five years ago, people may have thought there was a little
bit of nepotism, but based on the ratings success and the events we did
at the station that I was a part of, I proved myself over the years.
… I’m sure it was difficult for him. There was always mutual respect
for the position. It did take a couple years to figure out the groove
to work in, but we figured it out. Being related didn’t have a play in
it. It was business, and business is business.”

However, Rogers said the relationship factor and his roles regarding
Grabel—which created a sort of who’s-the-boss scenario—made
for some unique management issues.

“We were close. We worked a lot together. She was the music
director. There was a difficult dynamic, because I was her boss as
well, yet when we did the morning show, I was her co-host and not the
program director. There were many difficult balances. … There were
definitely some dynamics to manage, and I thought I did a great job
doing that throughout the time I was there. I know there was a
challenge finding someone to mesh the chemistry right. I’m the fourth
person to be paired with her, and the fourth person who is no longer at
the radio station.”

Clear Channel’s decision to cut Rogers loose also came at an
interesting time in terms of the number of events he had on his
plate.

“Some of the projects I’ve been working on are our next Studio C
show for charity; our Green October broadcasts, which is a big
production every October; (and) our holiday concert, which I was
putting together as well,” said Rogers. “I was appointed to a small
committee by Clear Channel. They were leaning heavily on my contacts in
Congress to gain support against this ‘performance tax’ bill initiative
by record companies that would cost radio stations thousands of dollars
extra per year. I was appointed to another small committee by our
company, working with the Tucson Police Department on a campaign
against graffiti, so I’ve been writing some PSAs with those guys. I
worked … with Angel Charity on the kids’ fashion show fundraiser. We
raised $265,000 three weeks ago for the Children’s Miracle Network and
(Tucson Medical Center). That was a Jennie-and-Blake venture. I also
did a lot of work with Tu Nudito. I work on their annual charity
auction and am on the committee. Those were the sorts of things I was
doing and we were working on.”

Rogers has yet to plot his next move, although in the interim, he’s
keeping busy with his Web endeavors at blakerogers.biz.

“I put a lot of hard work into launching the station five years ago,
and I know we had a couple of casualties in the market because of the
station: Star 97.5 (now Citadel-owned Bob 97.5 KSZR FM) and The
Point 104.1 (now Journal-owned KQTH 104.1 FM). Those were
competitors, and we were making some headway. Things were good.”

TRIBBLE, JOSEPH LATEST TO LEAVE KVOA; CARR REJOINS KGUN

General-assignment reporter Ed Tribble and weekend sports
anchor Dan Joseph have announced their decisions to leave
KVOA Channel 4.

Tribble has accepted a position in Phoenix.

“After three years at KVOA, I am moving on,” Tribble said via
e-mail. “I’ve accepted a job as a multimedia journalist at KPNX, the
NBC affiliate in Phoenix. Also, I’ll be closer to my girlfriend of a
few years who lives in Phoenix, so it’s a good professional and
personal move. I’ve enjoyed the three years I’ve spent in Tucson, but
like Major League Baseball, the TV business is about climbing your way
up, which includes moving every few years.”

Tribble’s last day will be Oct. 23. His decision to leave KVOA
occurred before the station officially implemented its one-man-band
multimedia-journalist policy. (Check out last week’s Media Watch for
more on that.) Tribble is moving onto one of two stations in Phoenix
that have activated a similar local-news model.

Joseph will leave KVOA in late November.

Meanwhile, on the eastside, Forrest Carr was officially named
KGUN Channel 9‘s news director. He replaces Lena
Sadiwskyj, who was let go last month. Carr was KGUN’s news director
a decade ago. Since then, he has handled similar duties with stations
in Florida and Albuquerque, N.M.

This article appears in Sep 17-23, 2009.

21 replies on “Media Watch”

  1. I always thought Blake carried the 92.9 morning show and will miss listening to him. As several of my friends and I feel, Jennie sounds absolutely terrible and fake, either by herself on paired with anyone. The “I’m-so-cute” schtick has no place on commercial radio. Best of luck to Blake!

  2. I do not know Mr Blake, however I do know several people in our town that have or had a low opinion of him. In particular the women he was unable to conduct a mature conversation with. Also some from the non-profit community who found his ego and attitude “unbearable” and even offensive. On the radio he came off cocky. All I ever heard him do was talk about his famous friends.

  4. I love how Blake blames Jennie for his sudden departure. It shows his utter lack of professionalism. He needs to stop boozing and boinking every piece of trash he sees. His reputation is shot in this town. I know I won’t hire him.

  5. Its sad…how terrible to lose your job when the whole country is hit with economic hardship! I feel sorry for this “blake” character! Sorry for the way he treated people in the past, of course he mentions his so-called “highlights” and he now fails to mention the “cocky dictatorship attitude!” And now completely “alone” maybe next time..if there is a next time he will learn to treat his fellow human with respect! Thats if he has an ounce of humanity left…I always wish everyone the best….But! Here comes the but…the train is pulling into KHARMAVILLE! And it’s coming for you! If you do not learn from this experience…you are “doomed!”

  6. Wow. Clear Channel not only broadcasts hatespeech, it hires people who hate each other. Who would have thought that?

  7. I think it is amazing that people who discuss karma can dare to talk so badly about another person when he is clearly struggling with a hardship. What does that say about your karma?

  8. A friend of mine told me (many, many years ago), to “trust the art, not the artist”. Regardless of what you think Blake is like as a person, if you like what he does (did) on 92.9 The Mountain, then that’s what matters. I moved to Tucson 5 years ago and found that 92.9 The Mountain was the closest thing to a variety of music that I enjoy. Honestly, was not fond of Jenny being solo on the show. When Blake was brought on board to co-host the morning show with her, I was thrilled! He brought fun, excitement, and diversity to the show that a morning show needs to survive.

    I was saddened to hear of his departure. The show is not the same. In fact, it’s blase, boring, and bland. It’s like 4th of July without the fireworks. Given the fact that the morning show has had 4 co-hosts since Jenny has been with 92.9 The Mountain, makes one wonder if Jenny is the issue and not the co-hosts.

  9. There had to be more to the story than Blake and Jennie’s incompatibility. For a company to let someone go, there has to be a strong and justifiable reason. Radio is unpredictable and we see changes constantly. For Blake to have many “accomplishments” and still be let go tells you that there is more to it.
    You deal with it and move on. You don’t cry to the media that you have no idea why you would be let go. You pick yourself up and move on and try not to burn any bridges on your way.
    Only time will tell if letting Blake go was a bad decision.

  10. I’ve had several encounters with Blake over the years and I do agree that he always seemed quit full of himself. Perhaps kharma has finally caught up to him, however, I do think that he contributed GREATLY to the Mountain’s success and I do wish him well.

  12. Regardless of the percieved difficulties Jennie and Blake had off the air, I enjoyed listening to them during my 45-minute drive to work. Since Blake’s departure, I find myself switching stations during my drive. I still like the music, I don’t like listening to a single host format in the morning. The one-person talkiness is boring (whether it’s Jennie or someone else). I hope 92.9 gets another duo going soon for the morning show.

  13. Jennie and Blake had great chemistry. Blake also was incredibly knowledgable about music and musicians. Blake and Jennie were a contant in our nutty world. I believe the Mountain made a big mistake. If they did not like him hosting the morning show then they could of used him in other resources. He was good at like booking talent and editing studio C shows. If it was about money…penny wise dollar foolish Clear Channel!

  14. I honestly wish Mr. Rogers the best but, having listened to 92.9 since day one, I enjoyed the morning show much more before Blake’s arrival. Personally, I found the ‘name-dropping’ and frequently crude and childish comments to be a turn off. In the past months I have strayed from their programming but plan to return listening to the Mountain!

  15. I hate everyone equally. Blake, build a bridge and get over it. You have talent so get out there and utilize it. Jennie, stop trying to save the world and just do your job. You have a voice that reaches thousands of people… keep doing good for others. For everyone else… shut it. 🙂 And to the person who uses quotes for every other word: “you’re” “retarded”.

    I am employed and so grateful. Suck it Kharma.

  16. i have been wondering for a while now where the f blake was in the morning?! now i know! i’m pissed! i thought the show was way better with the two of them. jennie by herself in the morning is boring to listen to.

  17. Blake must have done something really bad to get the axe. Anyone who knows him understands he is a total A-hole and I am sure he got what he deserved. No matter the more important issue is that Clear Channel should terminate Jennie as well and make a clean start. Jennie absolutely stinks as a radio personality. The thought of her laughter makes me want to puke. She must have something on someone important or an uncle that is a VP at CC corperate.

  18. I know this is old news, but do you think the new Chris guy is better than Blake? I listened to the Mountain when it was just Jennie, then Jennie and Blake, then just Jennie again, and now Jennie and Chris…
    Chris is “nice” but he’s way more ridiculous about the name dropping…I liked Blake’s sarcasm and childish sense of humor, and at least when he did the name dropping thing he seemed surprised and humbled to have met / or known “big names”
    Chris is just like “oh yeah, I saw Pink singing karaoke…just another Tuesday, we hang out at the same bar” THAT’S irritating
    I needed Blake’s sense of humor in the morning, and Jennie is the perfect balance. Even if they were just characters, they’ve both always been really nice and generous towards me. I know they had issues, but when you work so much with someone how could you not?

    Good luck to Blake, and keep on keepin’ on, Jennie

  19. I don’t know Blake, but I would email him often about how annoying, stupid, and grating Jenny’s voice is (esp. the forced laughter) and begged for a replacement. He never once emailed back anything unkind about Jenny, but he did return my emails and he was always gracious. I’m no one – just a former fan of the show. I find nothing arrogant in his commentary. I do note, however, a subtext of Jenny probably working behind his back, sucking up to decision makers to boot him and keep her. When you go through that many people to satisfy ONE, the ONE is the problem, not the others. Just tuned in this morning to – ONCE AGAIN – hear Jenny’s GRATING & excruciating voice. I’m going back to KFOG. Jenny deserves every.single.bit of karma coming her way (with a face for radio, I’m guessing she’s still single and desperate – karma enough!). Blake, I hope you’re well and working. Let us know via Twitter. I’m following.

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