High Profile Exits In Phoenix and Portland

It has not been a good week for radio talent, especially those in morning drive.

Mac Watson, half of the popular “Mac & Gaydos” talk-show duo at KTAR 92.3 FM, is no longer at the station.

Ryan Hatch, the vice president for content and operations at Bonneville Phoenix, confirmed that Watson was gone; his last day on the air was Wednesday, Oct. 16.

"Beyond that, we have no comment," Hatch said.

"I can confirm I’m no longer at KTAR," Watson told The Arizona Republic on Wednesday morning.

"Choices are made by us and some are foisted upon us. This choice is unexpected, but a beginning, not an end."

Meanwhile KTAR changed the branding of the show on its website, on its Facebook page and its Twitter page to “Gaydos in the Afternoon.” The show airs from 2 to 6 p.

Watson joined KTAR-FM in September 2007 from WRVA Richmond. He also hosted talk shows at KWTX Waco and worked at music stations including WWDC and WWZZ Washington DC, WWMX Baltimore, and KHFI Austin.

Also this week, longtime morning hosts Mikel Chase and Amy Faust are out at Entercom's County KWJJ 99.5 The Wolf.

Mike & Amy first hosted mornings at KWJJ from 1999-2012 and returned in 2014.

Chase and Faust are the second morning show to exit Entercom Portland recently. Buck Wise exited Hot AC KRSK 105.1 The Buzz at the end of August.

Meanwhile, Entercom Country KMLE 107.9 FM in Phoenix has parted company with morning hosts Maria Knight and Chad Mitchell.

Knight and Mitchell joined KMLE this past February as part of a morning show swap with sister Classic Hits 94.5 KOOL-FM.