Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Bob Davis gone at AM 1500; Dave Thompson to run for MN GOP chair (UPDATED).

Hangin' with Bob Davis at Keegan's Irish Pub (July 2007).




From an e-mail I received from AM 1500 KSTP:

Bob Davis is no longer with AM1500 KSTP. His last show was today, April 7.

Bob's contributions over the last eight years are appreciated and we wish him well. His effervescent demeanor, his always-ready belly laugh and his iconic head of hair leave a lasting impression on all who meet him.

Starting Thursday morning at 9am, we will have a brand new radio program for the Twin Cities. I could tell you their names (yes, a two-person show), but you have not heard of them. They are new to Twin Cities radio, but not new to upper Midwest radio and both guys have personal ties to the Twin Cities metro.

Expect an e-mail from me Thursday morning about 8am with further details.

I am excited about this addition to AM1500 KSTP and I encourage you to share your view of them after you give them a few listens.

As for Dave Thompson, I think you may be interested in the headline of a news release that was issued earlier this afternoon:

Dave Thompson Announces Candidacy to become next State Chair of the Minnesota Republican Party



UPDATE: My pal "Chief" posted the press release of Dave Thompson's announcement.

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25 comments:

Right Hook said...

This sucks!

KSTP is truly a shadow of its former great self.

Brad Carlson said...

I figured they'd keep Bob Davis on as the one token conservative. Now it appears they're trying to be what WCCO was in the 80s. It makes sense to a certain extent since AM 1500 has the broadcast rights to the Twins. But other than the Twins and Soucheray, I have ZERO reason to listen to KSTP anymore.

Anonymous said...

I have been a listener to AM 1500 for at least 20 years. I noticed they have been inserting these liberal sports newspaper guys in their line up at great discomfort to me. These guys are not very informed and certainly make the station a shell of its former self. I don't know what they are thinking but I only listen to Soucheray now and once in a while Sat am's til noon. Bad moves Ginny

Anonymous said...

Damn. I'm sorry to see Bob go.

I'd moved from live radio to the podcasts years ago, but he was the only one at AM 1500 that held my interest.

Anonymous said...

Bob what the .....
How am I going to get any good reliable political Info anymore ?
I don't know what you're going to do, I want to hear you on my Radio again !
Tom from Fridley
Can I be your friend ? How will I make it through the mornings ? I Loved your Yelling.
I have listened with great interest since you started here, you and now Mishke
what are they thinking at KSTP ? You were one of the best I hope to see you around here, don't leave..... Get back on the AIR Son !

Anonymous said...

It is sickening to see what KSTP is doing. I really enjoyed Dave Tompson, Bob Davis, and Mischke. I think Bob was my favorite of the three and I had a hunch they would be getting rid of him soon. Yuck. I no longer will listen to KSTP. I hope that the twins keep them in business.

Bo Darville said...

Bob Davis had the most intelligent local political talk show. His guests were informed, interesting and unique. All we need is more Barreiro-Reusse read it on Salon.com and say it on the air 1 hour later type shows.

Anonymous said...

I remember, back on 911, I was stranded in Colorado on business because none of the planes were flying that week-- so I decided to drive my rental car back to Minnesota. Somewhere out side of North Platt, late in the evening, I got lucky and the AM1500 signal bounced down to my car radio and low and behold there I heard this maniac of a guy named Bob Davis squawken away about the fresh disaster of 911- I liked him immediately!!

One thing he used to do often that is good for us conservatives is to challenge some of our knee jerk preconceptions. For instance, back during the election when the "s" word socialist was being slung around, he challenged and stumped plenty of callers as to what is the definition of a socialist.

Thanks to the internet, when Bob pops up again on another station, I will simply stream him or podcast him. But I won't be listening to AM1500 very often. It seems to me that KSTP is simply morphing into some species of a sports talk station. I always liked Reusse for his "inside baseball" stories about sports personalities that he would tell as he chimed in on somebodies show; but I am not digging his morning show. And I kind of like Souchery once is a while, but he is such a cranky old fart that I wish the Rookie would tell him to F- himself ON AIR and then after cleaning out his locker go out to the parking lot and hide a dead fish in Joes car.

mmckay said...

I can not believe Bob Davis is gone. Or Dave Thompson.

I've been thinking in the last year, as Bob tweaked his show quite a bit - having serious and entertaining guests on - that his show was perfect for a national audience. Hopefully someone out there might feel the same, since KSTP doesn't.

josefbig said...

Is 1500 just ramping up for the fairness doctrine to come into play here?? Looks like they're rolling ever and playing dead??

Anonymous said...

I gess I can take am 1500 off my presets. I hope we can find what he is going to do. He was just great and did some terriffic interviews. Hope he dosen't go back to chicago-we need him here.

Anonymous said...

I thought I tuned in CCO wed am when I heard Al what's his name. Then, as I listened for awhile, I thought OH-OH Bob is gone. Sure enough I saw the article in the paper. You would think there's a more considerate way to inform a loyal audience that one of their favorites is gone BUT KSTP has a habit of the weasel way. He's gone....
Here's the new guys, I know you will like them. Ya right.
I thought Bob had the best program on KSTP and talked about what's important. Now they are back to pablum talk and I'm gone. I hope others that feel strongly will leave also and show them that their listeners deserve better.

Unknown said...

I was just amazed last week to find that Bob Davis had been ousted from KSTP. He has been my key radio personality since he started there. When the shock wore off, I listened to his replacements for a half hour. I just want to say "I knew Bob Davis and you guys are NOT Bob Davis".
These clowns may grow into their job but so far they are pretty sophomoric. Listening to them is like listening to elevator music.
Please post when you find out Bob's new station. He won't be out of work long.

Anonymous said...

I guess I have been waiting for the axe to fall on Bob, and wasn't surprised. KSTP is embracing mor vapidity. I could even be able to listen to the new guys, but I don't want to. Reusee at best is like listening to a black helicopter crank. The guy knows sports, and likes to talk political with virtually nothing going on between the ears. I am off KSTP after 15 years. Gone from my radio. I can listen to Soucheray on KOWZ in the car, and ignore KSTP's advertisers. I anxiously await to find where Bob Davis lands, so I can listen in either on the radio or via the net.

Anonymous said...

I have listened to talk radio in many markets, and no one comes close to Bob Davis when he is doing a serious interview, no one. I bet I heard it 20 times after an interview, the guest would comment, "thant was the best interview I have ever had" and thank Bob profusely for being such a great interview. So sad.

C.J. Wolfe said...

The departure of Bob Davis and Dave Thompson from the show lineup on 1500 is a big mistake, however, I fully support Dave on his run for MN Republican Party Chair, as he is much needed there. Would love to know what Bob's future plans are. I hope it will be on the air somewhere. The two men who have taken his place are uninspiring and tedious to listen to.

Anonymous said...

I find it ironic that when a great radio legend (Steve Cannon) dies last week that there are significant layoffs at KSTP that serve to illustrate the slow death of a once great radio station. One would think that lessons would have been learned concerning a great radio station's demise from their "good neighbor's" experience. I have been a loyal KSTP listener and have heard Mischke, Clark, Thompson and Davis from their start. I have loved them all and my dial was tuned to the 1500 at home and in the car. But that is not the case anymore. I cannot stand to listen to the station (like nails across a blackboard) and it has even tainted my listening to GL Joe and the TWINS! I never, ever thought that such a thing could happen but it is apparent that conservative political viewpoints, intelligent conversation and relevant radio is not what the "crack" management of KSTP are about. They do appear to be rolling over and playing dead with the new administration's fairness doctrine threats. The "replacements" that have been hired are less than professional quality. They remind me of the no name, talentless players who filled during the football and baseball strikes. Perhaps one can hope that the ratings will tell the story and management will come to see the light. As for those who have lost their job, best wishes in your future. You all are great radio talent and I hope that soon you will be heard over the airwaves once again!

Deb from Lindstrom said...

I still can't believe it!!! The highlight of my day was the ride into work listening to Bob. Yes, I even called in a few times. I also called in and told them what I thought about the replacements. The two fellows sound like two (2) guys that would wear baseball caps backward and tennis shoes in the winter. They are BORING and absolute lightweights, to the say the least. I fully agree with Brad Carlson and I will even quote him: "I figured they'd keep Bob Davis on as the one token conservative. Now it appears they're trying to be what WCCO was in the 80s. It makes sense to a certain extent since AM 1500 has the broadcast rights to the Twins. But other than the Twins and Soucheray, I have ZERO reason to listen to KSTP anymore." I am totally deflated!!!!! He was bright, interesting and funny. I will only be listening to Soucheray from this point forward.

Sandra said...

I am sooooo utterly sad that Bob is gone!!! I can understand Dave leaving to pursue his run in politics but BOB? NOOOOO! This is a major blow to people like me!

This week I started turning the dial to find other GOOD sources of info... although none will compare to BOB. If it wasn't for Joe and Garage Logic, I would jump ship completely. The new line up is dreadful... Patrick Reusse is just not good on his own and AL Brown, well... not so good either. Its a very sad day in radio land for me.

I will be surfing the web to find you BOB, please get back on the air somewhere.... please.........

Unknown said...

I punched in 1500 on my radio this morning. I was greeted by a lively phone-in discussion on "What I Like To Eat That's Bad For Me".
KSTP is aiming at a new segment of the population. Someone should inform them that grades K to 6 are in school in the morning!
Does anyone know where Bob Davis went?

DJFRITZ said...

I am also done with AM1500. It's sad but true. They have lost their way and I WAS a dedicated listener who used their advertisers first. Sorry fellas, no more. KTLK has gone Right while KSTP has gone Wrong! Where else could I hear Ramstein as bumper music. Bob where are you?

Fritz from Fridley

Former Listener said...

I finally had it this morning with Am 1500. I was a dedicated listener for the past 12 years. No longer. Reusse bashes the right in the same fruitless, worn out way that the right bashes the left. His style is no different than a wacko rightie - intolerant, closed minded, and angry. Back to KQ and FM. Sorry Joe, Rookie, and the Twins. You lost this listener due to the hate and envy based rhetoric of Patrick James Stephen Reusse.

Priscilla said...

Where is Bob? I miss him and his show everyday. I can't stand to listen to KSTP anymore with their has-been sports crap commentators. Whoever wrote that KSTP is like WCCO in the 80's is right on. Does anyone know where Bob went to, i would LOVE to stream in his new show!!!! Someone must know....

Anonymous said...

I couldn't believe that they let Bob go... First Mischke, then Bob & Dave? Wow.. They MUST be getting a jump on the Fairness Doctrine. That's too bad. KSTP 1500 Radio just lost 2 listeners. Now, if I could just get that unsubscribe to work on the website, I could get the radio station to stop sending me Station updates that I don't need anymore... One more thing the two new guys that replaced Bob. They really stink.

Anonymous said...

Bob Davis (Twitter)
podcast 1B:
"This is my first podcast, which introduces the series, talks about where I’ve been, what I’m doing and what I will be doing."