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Intel Exclusive: Steve McCoy and Vikki Locke axed from B98 FM airwaves
 Posted
2/25/2010 4:13:00 PM
Intel has been able to confirm the wild rumors flying inside the Atlanta radio industry Thursday afternoon that the B98.5 FM morning show team of Steve McCoy and Vikki Locke is over.
Multiple sources tell us that McCoy was fired after Thursday's broadcast.
Radio insiders tell us that Locke was offered a one-year solo deal at a greatly reduced salary.
McCoy and Locke did not answer when we rang them for comment Thursday. B98 vice president for programming Tony Kidd, who reportedly swung the ax, did not return a request for comment.
On Thursday night, Dan Kearney, B98 vice-president for sales called Intel back to say he couldn't comment on personnel matters or staff contracts.
Full disclosure: Atlanta magazine recently partnered with B98.5 FM for yours truly to be an ATL Intel radio correspondent for McCoy and Locke.
Industry insiders speculate the firings occurred because of McCoy and Locke's price tag in a down economy.
Still, we're hearing the veteran morning show team recently made bonuses for their on-air performances after a strong ratings book at the end of 2009.
For their targeted Baby Boomer demo, ratings-wise, the show was on par with Q100's The Bert Show and V-103's Frank Ski and Wanda Smith show.
In 2008 with much fanfare, B98.5 FM hired the veteran morning team after a 15-year successful run at Star 94.
Ironically, "Live with Regis and Kelly" co-host Regis Philbin gave a shout out to the morning team this week on air, proclaiming them the longest-running morning show in Atlanta with 20 years racked up on the airwaves.
"This is a complete shocker," Dave FM morning man Jimmy Baron told us. "I'm just stunned. Steve McCoy and Vikki Locke are market legends. Everyone applauded B98 when they made the no-brainer move to hire them and put them back on the air two years ago. It seemed that they had found a really good home there."
McCoy and Locke were reportedly paid out the remainder of their two-year contracts with Cox Radio that expire June 30.
There was no immediate word what B98.5 FM will air in the interim on Friday morning. . .
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Richard Eldredge
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I am not a Steve and Vikki fan but I kept wondering why it would just say with "Vikki Locke" so I googled it and I can't believe they broke that team up. Vikki can't do it alone she is only successful with Steve and Steve wouldn't be able to do it without her. We will see how long this will last, B98.5 rating will surely crash now.
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Posted By
Catrina
On
8/20/2010 8:31:44 AM
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mccoy was the brains behoind that duo..there was no show without him..hence..I rest my case your honor. Locke is a ditz and gives evidence of it when she opens her mouth which hopefully isn't for long.
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Posted By
tony romano
On
8/18/2010 12:35:21 PM
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I am so glad to see Steve gone! He makes me want to puke. I don't mind Vicki by herself but I could not stand Steve McCoy! I want to listen to music or intelligent conversation on my way to work not some loud jacka$$ that thinks he's funny.
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Posted By
mean girl
On
8/18/2010 9:05:39 AM
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There's NO SHOW without Steve McCoy. What in the world were you thinking??????????????I can't believe that Miss Vicki would even stay without him.
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Posted By
Karen Leonard
On
8/5/2010 10:14:42 AM
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Sorry to hear that Steve is no longer with 98.5. I too switched from 94.1 to 98.5. when Steve and Vikki switched to 98.5 .I no longer listen faithfully to 98.5. Too bad there was no compromise.
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Posted By
Dave
On
7/28/2010 6:58:46 PM
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Thank god for Sirius radio
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Posted By
Alan Rubin
On
7/22/2010 5:43:51 AM
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I stopped listening. Enjoy 98.5
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Posted By
Beth
On
7/17/2010 5:50:35 PM
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Unhappy. Switched to Classic Rock station that plays alot of oldies but goodies and gives little tidbits of background to songs and artists. Like it for now.
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Posted By
Dee
On
7/13/2010 7:10:45 PM
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what are you thinking B 98.5 you all need to bring Steve and Vikki back. If you dont you are going to loose a lot of listiners including my family and I. Steve and Vikki radio show is the best !!! wherever you go we will be there listining you ....
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Posted By
OWEN W
On
7/13/2010 12:41:55 PM
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I have enjoyed listening to Steve and Vikki for almost as many years as they have been together on the radio. They are great together and I miss their funny banter. Steve is so witty and brings the best out in Vikki. I don't enjoy b98.5 so much anymore and Will can be annoying. I'm going to find another station.
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Posted By
Vicki
On
7/6/2010 11:20:34 AM
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I too wondered what was going on. I miss the Steve & Vikki banter. I don't listen to much radio but when I did (AM Show) it was 98.5 and I switched from 94.1 for that. Where will they go next? I'm there.
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Posted By
Andi
On
7/6/2010 9:15:59 AM
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It bad enough living in a city that is always in a hurry. What is very comforting is when I turn on B98.5 and listen to Steve and Vikki. Once I would arrive at my office, I would stay in my car for another 15 minutes listening to them. I hope they can team up again. I consider them part of the family. Will is sweet, but he or nobody could ever replace Steve spot.
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Posted By
Raymond
On
6/25/2010 8:15:47 AM
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Get Steve Back!
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Posted By
Evelyn
On
6/9/2010 12:47:03 PM
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I thought Steve was on vacation. So, I tried to listen. It's not the same. Will is so annoying and BORING!!!!
Steve and Vikki need to be back as a team. BAD move B98.5
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Posted By
frustratedwithB98.5
On
6/5/2010 2:25:10 AM
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Okay, I live in a cave. I've been wondering where Steve was for a while. He needs to come back. Vikki is great but Will is BORING!!!!
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Posted By
Stef
On
6/4/2010 8:45:46 AM
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Like others, I was on vacation when this happened. I just now had time to google it and saw this. OMG - what is on their minds? I was shocked to find Vicki paired with Will. He is NOT funny and I find it offensive having the "gay" lifestyle shoved down my throat on this show. I've tried listening but in honesty, it makes me sick. I don't go on the radio and publicly pronouce my heterosexuality - why would I want to listen to this drivel? I don't want my daughters listening to it either! I have switched to The River and The Bull for listening now and deleted this station from my car's memory. What was on 98.5's minds?
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Posted By
Kate
On
5/27/2010 10:08:50 AM
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Glad I finally pulled this up. The only time I listened to 98.5 was in the morning to listen to Steve and Vicki. Haven't listened to it since he left.
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Posted By
Donna
On
5/26/2010 11:05:58 PM
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I disagree with most of the comments here. I listen to the radio in the morning to hear MUSIC, not DJs droning on for 10-15 minutes at a time about their personal lives. I also don't like listening to DJs forcing their opinions on me. If you truly listen to their show, there is waaaaay too much talk and not enough music. I listened to 98.5 for years and absolutely loved Kelly & Alpha. Once they were out and Steve & Vikki were in, I switched to my iPod downloads. I for one am happy to see that 98.5 has come to its senses and remedied their dismal morning show ratings.
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Posted By
Jerry
On
5/24/2010 8:52:09 AM
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I travel out of town frequently and wondered what happened to Steve. B98.5 kept playing the Steve and Vicki commercials until March, so I figured he was on vacation or attending to a personal matter. After learning about the firing, I too have decided to boycott B98.5 and wait until this pair comes on the air. Been a loyal listener since 1994 and while Will can be funny, his style is too gay for my taste. It is my hope that they will be picked up nationally. Bring Steve and Vicki back!
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Posted By
T.J.
On
5/23/2010 7:06:05 PM
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I deleted B98.5 from my programmed radio stations once I realized Steve was gone and replaced with Will?!!! Can't tolerate the man and I won't without Steve. Bad move B98.5, very bad.
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Posted By
Fay
On
5/22/2010 3:09:02 PM
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