Chattanooga Radio: Staff Mutiny Reported At NoogaRadio

Jeff Styles

Three-fourths of the "Fred the Show" daily program on News/Talk NoogaRadio 92.7 FM, have exit the translator station (fed via WPLZ 95.3 HD4) as of Friday, Aug. 6 over a dispute with station ownership about the direction of the station, according to The Chattanooga Times Free-Press citing a news release from general manager and on-air personality Jen Lambert.

She, along with show host Jeff Styles and operations manager and on-air personality Jason Kirk will be pursuing other interests. A fourth member of the morning show team, Russell Stroud is undecided on his plans, she said.

The four are not the only ones who have left or who are leaving the station. Sports broadcaster Keon Rose is also leaving the station for a larger market in Arizona. General Sales Manager Michael Lisowski is also leaving to pursue other opportunities, according to the release. "StoneOnAir" host Bryan Stone was let go from the station almost two weeks ago.

A 20-year veteran of local radio, Stone previously was on the air at WXCT 98.7 FM and before that was a producer and on-air personality at WGOW 102. FM, where Styles had hosted a show for 26 years. Styles exited WGOW in 2018 following a road rage incident.

Lambert said she and Cuppelli disagreed on the direction he wanted to take the station with more nationally syndicated shows and pay-to-play shows hosted by people who buy the time.

Lambert wrote in the release that Styles "is pursuing numerous options, including taking some time off from early morning duties, and is deeply, sincerely appreciative of the opportunity afforded him by NoogaRadio to continue entertaining and informing our community through these last extremely difficult months when honest communication was most needed and an unfortunate rarity. His podcasts, 'Rockaeology' and 'Storyville' will live on at fredpodcast.com."

She added, "Unfortunately, after 4 years, a lot of blood, sweat, tears and a whole lot of love, the station ownership has chosen to take NoogaRadio in a direction that most of us feel we are unable to stand behind."