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Intel Exclusive: Vikki Locke to go solo at B98.5 FM
 Posted
3/4/2010 3:23:00 PM
Intel can confirm that Vikki Locke, one half of Atlanta's longest reigning radio morning show team of Steve McCoy and Vikki Locke, has decided to go solo.
She is expected to return to Atlanta's airwaves via B98.5 FM Monday morning.
Last week, B98 FM bosses let McCoy go, opting not to renew the team's pricey two-year deal that expires June 30.
The still-struggling economy and limp ad revenues across the nation's radio industry were cited as the cause for the move.
Instead, B98 vice-president of programming Tony Kidd offered Locke a brand-new one year deal at a reduced salary.
Over the past week, according to insiders, the popular DJ had a series of conversations with close girlfriends and her husband Mike Hughes.
Explained one longtime Locke gal pal to Intel: "If this was a man, we wouldn't be having this conversation. But women in the workplace are just expected to act differently. We're still conditioned to worry about the men first. Vikki has managed to do both."
We hear that Locke wouldn't accept the new offer until she met with McCoy, her on-air partner of 25 years, to get his blessing.
(We're told that she even quoted "I have been and always shall be your friend," Mr. Spock's heart-wrenching death bed line to Captain Kirk from Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan," one of trekkie McCoy's favorite movies).
Locke wasn't ready to discuss the new deal with the media Thursday. She didn't answer when we rang her about the new assignment.
Sources tell us she's relaxing in Florida celebrating her father's 80th birthday and retirement party.
As for McCoy, we hear he's not exactly ready to hang up his microphone yet and is in talks about what's next for him professionally.
Listeners can keep up with him via his Facebook page.
And given Locke's classy professionalism, a reputation she's maintained in this city for more than two decades, we wouldn't be a bit surprised if she began her solo stint Monday morning with an emotional tribute to her longtime professional spouse.
In other words, set your alarm early and as Locke herself might warn listeners: "Mascara alert!"
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Richard Eldredge
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Vikki will probably do fine but I will miss Steve.
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Posted By
Betsy
On
5/7/2010 7:41:00 AM
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I think it is great! Maybe Tom can come visit from time to time.
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Posted By
Robin Burdin
On
3/17/2010 10:07:02 AM
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She is as big as two people so dropping him should not be a problem.
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Posted By
Dexter
On
3/5/2010 10:35:04 AM
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Vikki is intellegent, classy and a talanted professional. She's does a tremendous amount of charity work for the Atlanta community and I know she'll be an amazing solo act for B98.5.
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Posted By
Myra
On
3/5/2010 9:53:42 AM
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God help anybody that tunes into that
annoying woman. B98.5 you are just plain stupid to keep her.Your ratings will get even worse.
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Posted By
Barbara
On
3/5/2010 6:46:25 AM
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Tough situation for all involved, but Vikki is handling it with all the respect, class and grace she's always been known for having. Wishing her all the best.
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Posted By
S
On
3/4/2010 10:49:39 PM
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Good grief. The awful Icky is flying solo. Couldn't they find a more intelligent and articulate host, like maybe an empty paper cup?
Oh well, looks like B98.5 will remain banned from all of my radios! Too bad they didn't do something intelligent, like bringing back Kelly and Alpha!
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Posted By
Kittenmommy
On
3/4/2010 4:19:28 PM
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Hope that means we'll still hear the ATL Intel updates on B98.5 then.
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Posted By
markscottmusic.com
On
3/4/2010 3:32:41 PM
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