It has come to my attention that a significant number of people have contacted the management of Clear Channel Communications in Oklahoma City in an effort to encourage them to bring me on board as their afternoon drive host. It has also been implied that somehow I have been involved in encouraging this to take place.
It is deplorable that I find myself forced to set the record straight once again...
I have not encouraged anyone at any time to contact Clear Channel Communications nor will I. I appreciate the number of "fans" I have out here in Central Oklahoma who would love to hear me back on the air regularly, but I don't believe that now is the time, nor is KTOK the station at this time. We are all grieving the loss of the legendary Mark Shannon and that should be our focus right now.
While I am sure that I will be back on the air at some point, chances are that it will not be on KTOK. I have the utmost respect and admiration for the Clear Channel cluster in Oklahoma City - including the incredible format change of 94.7FM The Brew and have stated as such many times previously.
I have no idea who will be the new afternoon drive host on KTOK eventually, but whomever it is will have to follow in the wake of two legendary radio talents that are heretofore unmatched - Mike McCarville and Mark Shannon. As Lee Matthews has so eloquently put it last week, the time will come when it is right for a replacement and he will make that final decision.
I do appreciate the massive number of emails I have received and I thank you for your continued support and friendly banter back and forth but I can assure you that Lee Matthews will handle the microphone just fine until the time has come for him to find an adequate replacement for Mark Shannon. And it most assuredly will not be yours truly.
I encourage you to continue to listen to News Radio 1000, KTOK, but I also encourage my "fans" to no longer contact Clear Channel Communications management regarding my getting on the air. I frankly do not want that job. But thanks anyway.