Longtime Midlands talk
radio host Keven Cohen says he was fired because the station wanted to go in a
"different direction," and a statement released by Clear Channel on
Friday appears to validate Cohen's claim.
Reached at home Friday morning, Cohen told wtistv.com he
appreciates the support of his listeners. He said it has been "humbling to
hear from so many fans who are praying for my family."
Cohen says he loves Columbia
and wants to continue work in the Columbia
media market. He added that he isn't surprised by the support he's received and
that's why he wants to stay in the Midlands .
"100.1 WVOC, News Talk Sports, announced today that radio
veteran, Jonathon Rush, and co-host, Kelly Nash, will now host the afternoon
drive weekdays from 3-6:00 p.m. ET, effective immediately. Known as The Morning
Rush, the duo will now host The Afternoon Rush on WVOC.
Rush has been waking
up Columbia listeners on music radio stations for over two decades and with
Nash will now take their highly entertaining style and political opinions to
the afternoon drive. Rush and Nash will
continue hosting The Morning Rush on sister station WCOS-FM weekdays from
6-9:00 a.m. ET.
"This is an
opportunity I've dreamed of for years," said Rush. "We can play the world's greatest music
for the greatest music fans in the morning and talk with the most passionate
radio listeners every afternoon."
"I'm very excited to not only expand our
audience, but to be able to have two outlets to engage and entertain Columbia
"News Talk radio
is more than just political opinions and interviews with lawmakers. All news has an element of entertainment to
it that makes it entertaining and compelling," said L.J. Smith, Regional
Program Manager, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. "Jonathon and Kelly understand the
balance between addressing hard hitting issues while keeping listeners engaged
in a compelling conversation about today's most relevant topics."
WVOC-FM's New Weekday
Programming Lineup:
6-9:00 a.m. – The Morning News with Gary David
9 a.m. – Noon – Glenn Beck
Noon – 3 p.m. – Rush Limbaugh
3-6:00 p.m. – The Afternoon Rush
6-8:00 p.m. – Talking Sports
8-11:00 p.m. – Jerry Doyle
Earlier posting....
Keven Cohen, the longtime afternoon drive host on WVOC-FM 100.1, was fired Thursday afternoon before he went on the air.
“I had a great run at WVOC,” Cohen, sounding gracious, told Otis R. Taylor Jr. at thestate.com Thursday evening. “It will always have a special place
in my heart.”
Removing Cohen, who peppered his talk show with news and opinion,
is a curious decision by the Clear Channel-owned station, especially with a
momentous presidential election just four days away. Cohen also anchored the
station’s pre- and post-game coverage of USC Gamecock football.
“It’s a scary and confusing time,” Cohen said. “It’s a very
challenging time for me emotionally to not know what I’m going to do when I
wake up tomorrow morning.”
For more than 18 years, Cohen has been waking up to go to
work for WVOC. His voice was first heard on the air on Aug. 1, 1994. Cohen
hosted a morning show before moving to the afternoons.
Jonathan Rush and Kelly Nash, current hosts of “The Morning
Rush” on WVOC’s sister station WCOS-FM 97.5, were broadcasting in Cohen’s slot.
A radio station source, who did not want to be identified, said WVOC planned to
move Rush and Nash to the slot permanently. An attempt to reach LJ Smith, the
regional program manager at Clear Channel Radio, Thursday night for
confirmation were unsuccessful.
After being told of his release, Cohen posted the following
on his Facebook page:
"An hour ago, CLEAR CHANNEL relieved me of my duties and fired me. Obviously, I am devastated. I am not getting the chance to do so on the radio, so I want to thank all of you for the love and support you have offered my way over almost 19 years at WVOC. Please keep the COHEN family in your prayers. This will be a significant challenge. Thank you, KEV."
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I've always thought Kevin was fair and loved people of all races but I found out he really didn't like minorities the presidential election made him show his true. COLOR S
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why anyone would say the things above about Keven. He worked really hard to be fair to everyone. I listened everyday and
Deletelearned much about the area and about the people that called in. Most were so family oriented, enjoyed living in the Columbia area, loved their state and cared about the school system they lived in. I just turn my radio off after Rush goes off at 3 PM. All that silly talk just doesn't appeal to me. It is just a waste of a 3 hour block on the radio. It's has no substance! Just junk.
I lived in Columbia for 15 years and listen to him most afternoons. He was a racist bigot joke. They booted him before the election so maybe just maybe his stupid mouth would not cost the conservative party the election. WRONG they lost anyway even though Kevin had to sit on the sidelines and not punt with his stupid remarks. I sure will not miss him and the way he talked about people from TN and such. For God's sakes Kevin it was just a football game but you took it personal. I can not believe they kept you this long. I really can't. Each day I hoped I would hear someone at CC wised up and cut you loose. Well looks like someone finally did. I just happen to read it 8 months later.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure someone at the FCC told Clear Channel if they wanted to keep their license, they better get rid of Cohen! You can't broadcast hate speech over their airwaves and get away with it! I'm thinking the person with the FCC that told them that was from Tennessee!!
ReplyDelete