Tuesday, February 25, 2014

NYC Radio: WCBS-FM's Dan Taylor Moving To Mid-Days

Dan Taylor
The transition began Tuesday, as  longtime WCBS 101.FM morning personality Dan Taylor was missing-in-action at the start Tuesday's  show.

Fill-in host Randy Davis started saying 'Today is the day of new beginnings..." into "Begnnings" by Chicago.  David kept the station in a more music mode, with no mnetion of Taylor's whereabouts. Starting March 3, when 'Shannon In The Morning' debuts, Taylor will be moving to mid-days according to the CBS news release.  Odd man out appears to be current mid-day host Ron Parker (Davis filled-in Monday for Parker on WCBS-FM), although he may resume his fill-in duties once the transition is complete. (Fill-in host Charlie Berger was handling the Mid-Day shifts Tuesday.)

All the usual morning show imaging was gone; however, anchor Deb Rodriguez had the news as usual, also on-air was Traffic anchor/personality Joe Nolan and Mr. G with the weather.  It will be interesting to hear Rodriguez' role once 'Shannon In The Morning' hits the air. For the past several months she has had an ever-increasing presence on the morning show interacting with Taylor 3 or 4 times per hour.

Taylor had been holding down mornings ever since the Greatest Hits format was resurrected on WCBS-FM on July 7, 2007.

Dan Taylor has been a familiar, reassuring voice to New Yorkers for more than three decades. He’s also working on his third tour of duty at the famed oldies station. Fresh out of high school, Taylor began his career at the CBS-FM in 1976 when he was 21. After a brief stint, he was named afternoon personality at WHN 1050 AM. Prominent shifts continued at WNBC 660 AM and WNSR Mix 105, before he had a homecoming at CBS-FM in the late 1990s.

He remained with the station until the much-publicized JACK-FM format change in 2005.

73 comments:

  1. It would have been nice for CBS or Dan himself to let everyone know about the changes being made. He is a great radio personality, and is a big part of everyone's morning. For him to just disappear like that is just not right.

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    1. I totally agree on the negative comments on "Trash mouth Scott Shannon". He's making CBS-FM into a talk radio station & he also plays the worst songs over & over& over. Blame the production Mgr. for that crap too.
      John M

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    2. CBS-FM did a very dumb thing in adding Scott Shannon to their station. The Program Mgr. dumped the music of the Baby Boomers, now the music really stinks

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    3. Dump Scott Shannon!!!!L?L

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  2. I begin my commute at the same time as the CBS morning show starts. I've really been enjoying all the personalities, but the interaction between Dan Taylor & Mr. G. sounds like a couple of best friends/brothers & was an enjoyable start to my day. I would actually laugh out loud more than once while driving (not something that usually happens while driving on I-95, as anyone who drives it regularly knows). I'm glad to hear Dan is OK since it seemed like he just fell off the face of the earth. I wonder how comfortable the station is with this transition given that they did not acknowledge this change in a direct manner. Wish him the best & send my thoughts to Mr. G. & the others, who seemed like a really close team and will also have to make some major adjustments. Listener from Connecticut who will try to remain a listener after these changes, but does not promise not to switch stations

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    1. Very well said...my sense is the logic behind the move is to bring in a completely different audience - anyone who appreciated Dan's show is not going to morph into someone that can tolerate Shannon.

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    2. I agree! Scott Shannon is not a good fit at CBS FM, Dan Taylor and mr. G. were gold in the morning.... Bring Dan back to the morning show!.

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    3. I agree ,What Happened ?? Did some of the Ribbing Dan T gave to Mr G hit a nerve Finally ?? Did the two have a falling out ?? Its wrong ..big time ..that the station never let their avid listeners know .....Please tell us the truth

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  3. How did Shannon last all those years with pettengill. Maybe we'll hear a smile.

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  4. The move to get Shannon in there was made at the very top, by people that don't understand that Dan Taylor has a following of loyal listeners, this morning when I herd Mr. G. and Debra Rodrigues my first question was where is Dan. By the way Mr G what does the G stand for?

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  5. Dan Taylor has a nice voice and was very pleasant. I did not like March 3 broadcast with Scott Shannon and will probably not listen to WABC in the early morning again. Bring back Dan.

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    1. I completely agree. I was disappointed and Shannon's voice grates on my nerves. They must bring Dan back to the early AM slot.

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    2. I also agree!

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  6. I can't imagine my morning commute without Dan Taylor.Did the station bigwigs think his listeners would not notice? What a shifty thing to do. I think I'll change my channel if that is how little they feel about their audience. Next they will get rid of mr. G another fan favorite. Dan we love you and detest the game they are playing with you. Go for more money and some respect!

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  7. I have listened to Dan Taylor every morning driving to work for 5 years. He is the best and Scott Shannon is no match for him. The higher ups who made this change should have thought twice. Give it a year the ratings will drop fast . Big mistake. I heard the broadcast this morning and it was not good. You will see I am correct.

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  8. Scot Shannon should have stayed where ever he came from. Very disappointed with the handling of Dan Taylor. you have lost a loyal listener.

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  9. I, too, am extremely disappointed by the sudden change. I loved listening to the morning show with Dan Taylor. Scott Shannon has a voice which grates on my nerves, and I don't like his style either. Since I can only listen to the station during my morning and evening commutes, neither of which times will include Dan Taylor, I'll be switching to other stations.

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    1. I too was very disappointed by the sudden change. Scott Shannon's voice gets on my nerves, I can't stand listening to the station now! I miss the brotherly cantor between Dan and Mr. G. I think this was a very bad decision for CBS, I will be looking for another station and so will most of my firiends who are loyal CBS listeners

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    2. Scott Shannon is trying to sound like Casey Kasem and America's Top 10. Irritating!

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  10. scott Shannon is a clown. cbs was always more classy. they didn't need to turn morning radio into a 3 ring circus. bad move.

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  11. Not a good move, will lose a lot of listeners

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  12. Totally disappointed in the change. Dan Taylor was and is a classy guy who made my morning commute wonderful..... Even on bad traffic days. It was like listening to family with him and Mr. G. Never liked Scott &Todd.

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  13. My sentiments echo all of the other comments. Who was the dimwit (and understand, I am being kind here) that made this horrendous decision? Probably the same one that made our oldies station into JACK-FM - didn't "they" throw that person off a bridge, yet?

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  14. Dan and Mr G, oh what a Team for a Morning show. I am not sure what's the thought frame for the change by CBS. This show has gone from being the best to one of the worst. While at work I was always smiling - Mr G and Dan's friendly bantering. Now it seems like a Talk Show. Where's the music? I have nothing against Shannon, but this is not a good fit. He talks a little bit too much about nothing. I did not tune in for a Talk Show.

    I guess I'll just have to wait for Ron later on in the morning and Broadway Bill in the afternoon.

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    1. thats how I feel, I too want to hearmusic, NOT a talk show. If I wanted talk in the morning, I would turn the YV on.

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  15. We need Bob Shannon not Scott. Bring back the Cus !

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  16. Dan Taylor has been a part of my morning routine for a long time. He's been a friendly voice that makes sense, has class, is funny and and I really enjoyed listening to him interact with Mr. G, Deb & Joe Nolan. Now I can't listen to his show because I will be at work the entire time he's on. From what I've heard and read, his show was very popular with many others. Scott Shannon is well know and has a following of his own and that's fine...but my question is, why do you think that he with his style will be well received to replace Dan Taylor who has his own style and his own following? They are completely different and now the whole flavor of CBS in the morning has changed. I tried listening but get annoyed with all the talking and laughing over each other and switch it off. It's so much like so many other stations now. This was a very bad move!

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  17. Shannon is a clown who I won't listen to for a second. Ruining the morning show with that irritating voice. CBS is the only NY station worth listening to, and now the morning show is gone. So sad. I'll be listening to my iPod in the morning.

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  18. I am very disappointed in this decision by WCBS. Dan Taylor is funny and the banter between him and Mr. G was priceless. I don't agree with the radio big wigs that Scott Shannon is a good fit at this radio station. I won't listen anymore...bring back Dan in the morning.

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  19. Wait a minute...Let's take the #1 rated morning show off and replace it with the worst possible thing we can think of. Why would WCBS-FM do that?? My mornings are ruined now. Deb is leaving (saw that coming) and Mr. G is probably not far behind. What a shame. I will no longer be listening to this morning show on CBS, instead I will tune in to WMTR-AM 1250. DAN TAYLOR I MISS YOU!!!!

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  20. 2nd casualty of this gereat decision. First Dan Taylor is gone, now Deb Rodriguez...this just gets better and better.

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  21. What a shock to hear that Dan Taylor is not doing the morning show. Heard the new host today. Unfortunately, I have to agree with what others have said. I can't listen to that voice. It's grating and annoying. I don't understand why a station would deep six a winning show. Another listener lost...

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  22. I used to listen to Shannon during his early years in radio, and he had such a sexy edge to his voice. But now that I hear him again, decades later, his voice sounds older and more "gravelly" to me. Never heard Dan Taylor, but now that I can get WCBS on radio.com on my new cell phone (I do not live in NY), I may check out Dan's show after seeing all your comments above. I can listen to him in my office at work. I even have a feeling he may be back on in the mornings because I doubt Shannon will last more than 3 months in that slot.

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  23. I was very saddened to lose Dan Taylor in the morning as well. His gentle voice, kindness, and wonderful banter with Mr. G. was such a welcoming way to drive to work and listen to the radio. Why would CBS FM think that their devoted morning listeners would prefer the very irritating, way-past-his-prime Scott Shannon and his stale, tired, "Morning Zoo" atmosphere? I read somewhere that the very irritating Mr. Shannon only played FOUR songs in his first hour, with the rest taken up by his kind of "entertainment". I will not tune into CBS FM in the mornings anymore and I urge others to do the same. Maybe those who made this totally insane decision will be forced to change their minds once they see a huge decline in their ratings. Dan Taylor - I miss you and support you! You are the epitome of class!

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  24. I switched to listening to CBS in the morning because the Scott & Todd show got on my nerves and I couldn't stand their stupid antics. Now I will need to find another morning program.

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  25. My commute in the morning is not the same without Dan Taylor. I will not be listening anymore. Mr. G and Dan had something special. Bring back Dan and I will be back.

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  26. I have been listening to Dan Taylor in the morning for years. He made my morning commute so much better. Dan has a wonderful voice, he is charming and funny. I loved his banter with Mr. G, Deb and Joe. They always made me smile or even laugh out loud. Dan is a class act. I tried listening to Scott Shannon but between his grating voice, continuous talk about nothing and not playing many songs I cannot listen anymore. If I wanted to listen to a talk show I could tune into just about any other station. Now I hear Deb is leaving too. The powers that be at CBS have ruined what was once a great morning show. CBS has lost another listener until they bring Dan back in the morning.

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  27. Big mistake....Huge!!!

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  28. I couldn't agree more with everyone's comments. Now if only someone at CBSFM takes notice and gives us back our Dan Taylor!!

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  29. I think the radio station made a huge mistake taking Dan and Deb off in the morning. I have been listening to this station since i was very young. My mornings with Dan were the best. He is terrific on the air and a nice guy. Shannon is loud and talks about stupid idiotic things on the air. Things that noone wants to hear and I think you will be losing alot of listeners in the morning. I am a great fan of old music. Please put Dan back. I know I'm not alone in this request.

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  30. 10-3 time slot is not a big deal, as long as I hear DT, Mon-Fri, my radio's on! The only thing is that I don't hear him with Mr G and I miss that, with Deb as well. DT & Mr G crack me up everyday, and what better way of waking up in the morning with a cup of coffee! God bless. Oh btw, on the Shannon show - they talk too much. It's like am listening to a political tv show. And he sounds (sorry to say this) like "under the influence". Oh well.....

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  31. CBS just became #2 tab on my Radio-will push it at 10:00 AM. CD's until then. What a shame.

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  32. My radio now doesn't go to CBS until 10:00 AM. What were they thinking-memories of the "Jack" disaster.

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  33. I SO enjoyed Dan Taylor and Mr. G on my long morning commute.......looking for a new station :(

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  34. It seems as though CBS FM is trying to become a combination of Z100 and PLJ, both of which usually come in at the bottom of the ratings chart. It's only a matter of time before Scott Shannon, and his rediculous show, drag CBS from the top of the charts to the bottom! Dan Taylor was the BEST and now we have the WORST - way to go CBS! This was a very bad move and I can't imagine it lasting very long. Hopefully, Dan Taylor will be back where he belongs and everything will be right with the world again. In the meantime, I have to find another morning show and there aren't very many choices out there. I would rather listen to talk radio 101.5 and Jim Gearhart than hear idiotic gibberish from Scott Shannon.

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  35. Like you I'm one of the many who began my day & commute with Dan Taylor in the mornings on WEBS 101 FM. It's a shame that Dan is not on early mornings anymore. Was equally saddened to hear that Debra Rodriguez is no longer on CBS as well. They say that she left because of the early morning hours & long commute but my suspicious nature tells me otherwise.

    Thing is I think she left because she wasn't happy with being paired with Shannon in the mornings. C'mon now, listening to this show over the years, it's like listening to family or the best of friends. Dan, Debra, Mr. G., they all had that kind of chemistry among them 3, the pleasant way they interacted with one another, the jokes, the witty banter, you could tell they were all at ease with one another & had affection for each other.

    When Scott Shannon came along, you could tell it was awkward & it showed, over the airwaves, you could tell it was awkward for Deb & Mr. G. to relate to him and vice versa, you could tell it was forced on Shannon's part to relate to Deb & G. as well. They just didn't know what to do with one another, this is why Deb left, I mean she had a good thing going and now as often happens in life, the situation at work changes where it's just not for you any longer. It happens to legions of us, no matter what our jobs are, trust me. Poor Mr.G. lost a friend in Dan & again he doesn't know or at best is awkward working alongside Scott Shannon. You could just get the vibe that they all don't get each other or just don't plain like one another. You just don't replace what you had with Dan, Deb & G. and expect your so called new morning show to catch fire. Plus CBS is playing some music all of a sudden that doesn't fit with their format. Everyone knows it's true.

    Truth is when Scott Shannon was brought in and Dan Taylor was moved to the next time slot at 10AM you could tell that right then & there Deb's days were numbered. What did Shannon eventually do? He hired one of his past cronies in Patti Steele to replace Deb Rodriquez for the morning show. Gee now was this a surprise at all? Think that was the plan all along, heck I wouldn't be surprised if they got rid of Mr. G. at least for the early morning time slot. Yeah I don't think Shannon was found of Deb Rodriguez or Mr. G. either and as is custom in these cases, he's getting his own people to surround himself with.

    For some reason WCBS seems to find great success, coast along for awhile and then BANG! for whatever reason they go off the rails and do something that just makes you scratch your head in amazement & they do a good job at showing that they have no loyalty or commitment to anybody, whether it be their employees or loyal listeners and just screw over everyone. Seems that these little "bloodbaths" every now and then is becoming a trademark of the station.

    Personally I don't believe Shannon is going to last all that long, I don't care if he is a hall of fame DJ or not, I never like Z100 or him when he was there, don't like him now. Now I TRIED listening to the new morning show and giving it a chance but I just can't listen to it anymore Again I gave this a chance but it's just not clicking, it's just not. Wish everyone involved good luck & all but it's just not my cup of tea. Here's hoping for better things for WCBS FM.

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    1. The comment above says it all very well. I have always liked waking up to NY Radio and having the connection to the Tri-State Area, instead of waking up to internet radio. I used to keep 101.1 on all day at work, and now find myself forgetting to even to change it back to 101.1 later in the day.

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  36. I was a Z100 fan years ago, but when they did a phone scam to funeral parlor, that was the sinker for me. I switched to CBS and found all my old favorite radio personalities from back in the day. CBS never insulted their listeners, always had grace, and PLAYED MUSIC. I'm old enough to remember Harry Harrison saying "Remember, if you see someone without a smile today, give them one of yours." What a nice sentiment. I gave this Shannon thing a try, but in the time I've been sitting at my computer, I can count the songs I've heard on the fingers of one hand. Shannon has brought a "morning zoo" mentality to the station, and it just feels wrong. Shannon is acerbic and he talks too much, and that's not what I'm looking for in the morning.

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  37. I have been a loyal listener since I drove to work with "Harry Harrison The Morning Mayor" and I am devastated at what has become of the station I love. Scott Shannon has ruined the station for me. I had to take it off in the office because I find him offensive and quite frankly, not funny. He hardly plays music because he's too bust blabbing and his stupid parody songs are a joke. He is childish, and is costing the station the "Loyal Listeners" that have been there for decades. (I am one of them.) This is CBS, not the morning zoo where this type of trash belongs. I listen to Q104.3 now because it's the only station left that plays music I like. Sorry CBS, it was good while it lasted.

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  38. Ditto - Ditto - Ditto
    Love Dan Taylor. Too much talk, bragging and name dropping. Not happy now.

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  39. Ditto - Ditto - Ditto
    Love Dan Taylor in the early morning. Too much talk, bragging and
    name dropping now. Not happy

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  40. I miss Dan, Mr. G, and Debbie. Perfect balance of music, news, and light conversation. Scott Shannon's show is garbage and I no longer listen in the morning.

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  41. I must agree with the many negative reviews here about Scott Shannon. I was a loyal listener to WCBSFM for years. Loved Dan Taylor, Deb and Mr.G in the mornings. They had a format that worked; just enough light banter, lots of great music, great personalities. Scott Shannon's voice grates on my nerves, and there's too much talk (about nothing!) and hardly any music. If I wanted to listen to talk radio, I would tune in to talk radio! I've dropped WCBS and won't return unless they bring back Taylor & Crew. Know a LOT of other people who feel the same...

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  42. I loved Dan Taylor in the morning. Scott Shannon or "mush mouth" Shannon is unbearable. They have lost a loyal listener. Bring back Dan!! Or, if Dan likes the 10am slot, bring in someone with class, a trait which Shannon sorely lacks.

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  43. DIDDO FOR ALL THE ABOVE. TODAY I AM LISTENING TO DAN AND I'M SO SO HAPPY THAT HE IS HERE TODAY. IT'S SUCH A PLEASURE TO HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE MORNING. HE IS SOFT YET WITTY AND FUNNY WITH MR G AND JOE. HE IS SO MISSED ON THE AIR. IF YOU WANT TO KEEP SHANNON PUT IN AT 12 MIDNIGHT SO MOST OF US DON'T HAVE TO HEAR HIM. WE ALL LOVE DAN AND IT SEEMS THAT WE ARE LOSING SOME OF OUR 60'S MUSIC TOO WHICH IS THE OTHER REASON I LISTEN TO CBS FM. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN THE MORNING WHEN I TURN ON THE RADIO AND HEAR SHANNON/PATTY. I TURN THE RADIO WAY DOWN UNTIL I HEAR MUSIC. PATTY IS ANNOYING ALSO. LOUD ANNOYING AND OBNOXIOUS AND SO OPINIONATED. BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM, I DON'T KNOW WHO IS WORSE BUT THEY DESERVE EACH OTHER.

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    1. Agree. She is no Debbie R. Don't know how that show can last much longer.

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  44. Are the recent ratings in for Shannon yet? Haven't heard anything since the middle of May. Wonder if the new ones are down and nobody wants to talk about it, or they are just not in yet? Don't see how the format of his show can last for long on WCBS and in that time slot. Someone mentioned earlier on this thread Shannon's name-dropping. I noticed it too. I enjoy his anecdotes about an artist as he plays that artist's song, but I don't need to hear what that artist's golf swing is just so Shannon can work in a way to brag that he played golf with that particular celebrity. I also heard him complimenting an artist who is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, saying that is why that artist is in a different, more prestigious section of the Rock and Roll Hall of
    Fame than Shannon is. What a fake self-deprecating, backdoor way for Shannon to remind everyone that he is also in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Self-promotion is important in the business, but surely there is a smoother, less obvious way to do it?

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  45. I wish Scott Shannon would just go away. He sucks as a DJ. I stopped listening to a once great radio station to the point I do not even listen to WCBS-FM on the way home from work anymore.

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  46. I don't listen to your station in the morning anymore. Scott is just awful. What is wrong with CBS??

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  47. If you have a chance check out 1500-AM WGHT! Real Radio. Jimmy Howes & Greta Latona. You can get them on Tune In Radio. That's an actual morning show with oldies and they talk to their listeners like Grown Up People.

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  48. OMG, I absolutely hate with a passion Scott Shannon, the sound of his vpoice makes me cringe. I want to hear music in the morning, not some man just talking nonsense.

    dan Taylor and Mr G were like friends. Shannon simply does not fit the morning show. I dont like it, so after my alarm goes off, I turn the radio off. No need to listen to Shannon, I hate his voice

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  49. Scott Shannon is an idiot! It is beyond my comprehension how CBS could possibly think this was a good move to put him on for the morning commute. I have also stopped listening to CBS, not only in the AM but all day. I will tune it in again when they get rid of trash talking Scott and his crew. Every one of my friends have done the same. If you live in NJ and want a quality morning radio program tune in to WMTR AM 1250...it's as close to Dan and Mr. G as you can get.

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  50. Still missing Dan Taylor & Mr. G in the morning. At least I can check in with them on Facebook.When Mr. G left WCBS I figured what's the point. I switched to a popular show geared more to a younger audience but I'm going to try out 1500 & 1250 Am. One morning Dan was filling in for that obnoxious Shannon and he pretended to destroy that stupid harp. Wish it was for good.

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  51. Please bring back Dan Taylor and Mr. G

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  52. and yet nobody has really mentioned the other Shannon - Bob - where has he been??

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  53. I for one cannot stand scott shannon, his voice grates on my nerves. I want to hear music as i get ready for work, not this moron talking. I want dan taylor back with the rest of the crew. how much longer do we have to have shannon here, i cant stand him and his talk.
    cbs doenst need talk in the morning there are plenty of other talk radios stations

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  54. The channel has turned into a poor wanna be of Shannons old radio channels. Can't stand it. CBS has retooled their entire list from radio to TV to court the younger crowd. Just like they tried with JACK FM! We wanted our CBS FM back then and we want it back again. Whats next Mr. Leonard too?

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  55. I agree with most of the prior comments. CBS FM was a fixture on my radio going back to Harry Harrison (gone for the JACK years) right up until Scott Shannon replaced Dan. I no longer listen to the station in the early morning. However, at 10 am I put it back on for Dan Taylor. Interesting that it is difficult/impossible to comment on the CBS-FM site.

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  56. Since scott shannon came on the air I have STOPPED listening to WCBS FM 101.1
    The sad part is I listened to WCBS FM before it became an oldies station in 1972

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  57. Unfortunately I have to disagree with all of the comments about Scott Shannon. I find his show enjoyable in the morning. Joe Nolan, Patti Steele and John Elliot are a great mix.

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  58. I do not listen anymore since Harry Harrision the Morning Mayor left. They were the best in the 80's and 90's with Ron Lundy, Danny Dan Daniels, Dan Ingram, cousin Bruce, etc.

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