Charleston's WKAZ Boots Bill Shahan

Switches formats

Longtime Charleston radio personality Bill Shahan has been let go from the West Virginia Radio Corp.

Shahan broadcast his final show on 107.3 WKAZ-FM last Friday morning, according to a story by Sandy Wells, at wvgazette.com.

Mike Buxser, the company's vice president and general manager, said Shahan's contract was officially terminated at noon Monday.

Shahan hosted the Classic Top 40 morning drive show from 5:30 to 10 a.m. Effective Tuesday, Buxser said, that slot will go to John Boy and Billy, a syndicated classic rock program.  The station at 107.3 FM has switched to a classic rock format.

Declining ratings based on audience research prompted the change, he said. "Change is difficult, and we don't like to do it," he said. "People think we just get a wild hair and change formats, but that is not the case. We never make a change unless the format isn't working."

The company will cater to oldies fans on two simulcast stations, 95.3 FM (translator) and 680 AM.

Shahan said he learned of his termination on April 18. "They let me stay on the air for a week, and I did my best shows ever. Why do they keep removing all the locals from radio? It really hurts your feelings."

A Charleston native who turned 50 on March 25, Shahan said he hopes to find work close to home.

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