Mike McCarville
[Note: Testimony to Jerry Bohnen’s popularity is the outpouring of comments to this story, the largest number of comments we’ve experienced on a single story.]
KTOK News Director Jerry Bohnen, an award-winning fixture at the station for 32 years, was dismissed Thursday in what he was told was part of “corporate downsizing” by Clear Channel Communications.
See Also http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-14816-off-the-air.html
and
Bohnen, 63, inductee into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame and the “dean” of broadcast journalists in the state, won national plaudits for his non-stop live broadcasts in the aftermath of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in 1995. His investigation into the conviction of a man for murder resulted in a new trial and exoneration for the accused, winning for Bohnen an Edward R. Murrow Award.
Bohnen is the author of Dixie Cup Assassins, an ebook available from Amazon.com. There will be a book signing Saturday (April 7th) at 3 p.m. at Full Circle in 50 Penn Place.
In 2009, The Oklahoman’s Mel Bracht profiled Bohnen and wrote, After 30 years at KTOK-AM 1000, Jerry Bohnen remains dedicated to his job as station news director. He has to be, to get up at 2 a.m., so he can be at work by 3 a.m.
“It can be a grind,” Bohnen said, “but I like it. People ask me when I’m going to retire. Heck, when I drop dead in front of the microphone. I can’t afford to retire and don’t know anything else.”
Other Clear Channel employees dismissed are Dave Garrett, sports director at a second station, Dan Stroud, morning show co-host on a country station, KTOK’s The Eggman (afternoon drive), a production assistant and an IT worker.
What the……
Agree.
Paying retirement benefits can be very troublesome for companies like Clear Channel. It eats up their profits.
They keep getting cheaper and cheaper. I’m waiting for the corporate robots come in and fire the local robots. I mean, it’s getting to that point. At some juncture there won’t be any more people to fire if they keep this up. It amazes me anyone bothers to listen to most radio out there anymore as it’s all corporate crap with minimal content. Do the corporate puppetmasters ever get around to asking themselves WHY sales revenue overall is down? Do they ever wonder if, just possibly, the lack of good product just might be the reason radio is becoming not relevant, especially to the younger demos?
So does that mean he’s at least getting retirement benefits? I know that might be private information so it wasn’t included in the article, though.
No retirement benefits. Most CCR employees who are being “dismissed” are being given severance packages, however. Sums vary per employee.
KTOK was never the same after McCarville left and now they have dismissed probably the last true journalist on their staff. This is a sad day in the continued decline of a once great station.
I understand they let the EggMan go too. Jerry Bohnen is irreplaceable. I wonder what their new lineup will be. Sometimes change is not so good.
-2 veteran broadcasters…. That’s never a good trend. Yes, Rush and the sat programming is the bread and butter. No, that’s not all that’s required to have a meaningful N/T station.
That is insane. A really bad day for radio journalism in this city.
Jerry was the sparkplug of KTOK and he taught many great reporters. His former employer has made a fumble of major proportions.
This is a sad day for all Oklahomans. There are very few willing to do the work and research done by Mr. Bohnen. I hope he finds another outlet for his talents. Oklahoma needs him.
(copied from my Facebook post) I would not be where I am today were it not for Jerry Bohnen who was confident in my abilities and made me the State Capitol reporter for KTOK starting with the 2007 session. Everything I’ve been able to do as Oklahoma Watchdog comes from that decision and I will forever be grateful for that opportunity. I wish him well.
Shocked. Agree with my friend Ken and others, this is horrible of Clear Channel. Jerry taught me many lessons on writing and ASKING QUESTIONS and not following the pack. I only hope this opens the door for him to pursue his writing career. I have been reading Dixie Cup Assassin, a great read from a great writer. May Jerry find there is life after Clear Channel … and I hope it will be LIFE ABUNDANT and BLESSED.
I am in shock over this. What a moronic move on the part of Clear Channel! Jerry IS the KTOK news department. HE is the reason it has stayed competitive all these years. I am forever indebted to him for hiring me and allowing me to return to Oklahoma in 2000. I learned more about news and life in the seven years I worked for him than I have anywhere else. KTOK will never be the same again…
I am sorry to hear this; thanks for getting the word out, Mike.
What the what?
Oh good grief! This is a terrible move! Just terrible!
Nothing surpises me with CC. They have no regard for true talent, loyality or achievements. Gotta cut real people with brains
When Jerry hired me in the summer of 2006, I was one of eight full-time reporters in the newsroom. When I left in February 2009, I was one of four full-time reporters. The fact that most people probably didn’t notice a difference is testament to how Jerry ran the ship.
I called AND emailed Clear Channel and told them what a stupid move they have made. I’m sure it makes no difference to them but it made me feel better!
(210) 822-2828
publicrelations@clearchannel.com
I have been listening to Jerry Bohnen for over 30 years–He is a true professional and as another person posted one of the last old school “Big J” journalist not only at KTOK but in the entire Oklahoma City news game. I’m sure if Jerry wants to jump back in the saddle any of the local TV stations would be glad to have him.
Good Luck Jerry–I’m sure we’ll be seeing you soon
Jerry Bohnen was an institution at KTOK. He will be missed.
Jerry Bohnen hired me as a parttime reporter at KTOK in 1991. When I was named program director, and thus his boss 10 years later, he suggested perhaps he’d made a mistake in hiring me. He said it, of course, with that wry twinkle in his eyes. Jerry, as others have noted, IS KTOK News. The institution that once was the heritage news/talk station is now a shadow of its former self. Anyone who has been in business, me included, can understand when the bottom line needs to be adjusted. I think what chaps many of us is that such dismissals often come without a word of thanks; just “there’s the way out.” And, when one’s service spans 32 years and he’s within 18-24 months of retirement, I think I would figure out a way to keep him on. Jerry’s impact on Oklahoma news, and news people, has been profound. Read the comments here and you’ll understand what a terrific human being he is, what a fine (but demanding) boss he has been and what a great old-school journalist he is. It was my pleasure to work for Jerry, and with him, and I look forward to the next chapter in his professional life,
As a past intern of his I know how hard he really works. In times of need he was such a great mentor and even more a man I think of as family.
I am a relatively new listener to KTOK, but I will miss Mr. Bohnen. His voice had warmth, humor, compassion….whatever the story called for he exhibited all the “right stuff.” What a shame. What a loss for Oklahoma.
From Eunice Khoury, host of “Well Preserved” on KTOK on Saturday mornings at 7am, from a conference in Kansas City: “What a travesty.”
I started with KTOK when Jerry was just an investigative reporter and admired the work that he did. Very shortly after that, he was promoted to the News Director and built an award winning team. Always the consumate professional, he created a news center in the confrence room of Clear Channel when the Murrah bombing happened. The main control room had been ripped out the day before as the station was going thru a remodel. Therefore the old news booth became the control room, and the confrence became the news broadcast center. Jerry’s goal was to bring the truth to the listener in the most fair and accurate way. I was honored to work with Jerry for my entire radio career. Clear Channel has deprived Oklahoma City of a true news professional. The broadcast news environment of this city will never be the same without Jerry Bohnen on the air. When I was let go, it really was somewhat of a relief…it was time to move on. It wasn’t a smart move to let someone of Jerry’s caliber go. Everyone needs to go out and buy Jerry’s book, “Dixie Cup Assasins”. I look forward to see where my friend lands. God Bless you Jerry…….
Jerry Bohnen hired me part time in 1987. What a blessing he and his family have been to me. I went on to full time in ’88. I sold Girl Scout cookies around 50 Penn for his daughters and did stories about prayer before Yukon HS football games because he couldn’t (his son was playing at the time). We’ve been to weddings and funerals and Denver for the trial of Timothy McVeigh.
Having said all of that, it’s actually not a surprise. Clear Channel did the same to Ricky Tasetano and others in the past.
I’m P.O.’d So there
A horrible decision. Jerry is a helluva reporter and a great guy. His dismissal leaves a huge void. Good luck Jerry, and I know you’ll land on your feet.
When Jerry speaks, I listen! Anytime I would hear his voice I would stop and pay attention because I knew I could trust what he was saying. Jerry was a first class reporter and as far as I am concerned there is a hole at KTOK that will never be filled. I am greatful that Reid Mullins is still there …. For now
It’s bad when anyone is downsized like this. I have been through it before myself. But Jerry Bohnen and Dan Stroud have both been around a long time, and have both served this community more than could ever be measured. As far as The Eggman, he is my most favorite talk personality. I was sad when McCarville left KTOK, but regained some faith in them when Egg came along. Now I guess I’ll be back to KOKC. I wonder if Randy Renner is still over there or if he has gotten the boot along the way as well.
Jerry was my boss for several years. My first month at KTOK he was in mcalestar living in a small RV Monday thru Friday to cover the Nichols trial. The only OKC newsman there full time. He is a dedicated journalist and a good person. Radio’s loss. It’s a sign of these large corporate pirates dealing a death blow to once mighty medium. Be sad for all of us who loved local radio.
This is the worst mistake KTOK has made since they hired Mike McCarville. LOL.
Jerry is a solid, solid newsman and one of the most ethical journalists I ever met.
It comes as no surprise that Clear Channel would do this, especially in the way they did. That station is on its way to oblivian, just like The Oklahoman and The Tulsa World.
Can’t say I’m sorry about any of that.
It is a despicable move on KTOK’s part and a serious blow to news gathering in this state.
Another station with some brains should grab him up immediately. Sadly, however, there aren’t any of those.
Keep firing, Jerry. Good luck.
Wow, I already really disliked Clear Channel but this takes it to a whole new level. Dismissing a trusted veteran award-winning journalist like this is a very uncool move but I fear the days of quality local journalism are coming to an end as everybody becomes a “citizen journalist” and entire shows and staffs are replaced with syndicated content. Perhaps his talent will be more appreciated somewhere else.
Cam Edwards, host of Cam & Company, NRANews.com/SiriusXM Satellite Radio Patriot Channel 125, in his opening monologue Thursday night: “Jerry is the guy who gave me my start…I could not have learned more about journalism than I did from Jerry Bohnen…. He was an incredible boss…gave me lots of opportunities…took a flyer on me. I’m forever (in his debt).”
What no one seems to have mentioned so far — Clear Channel’s layoff is a direct result of its recent enormous payoff to investors. This was thoroughly explored two weeks ago: [excerpts]
The Motley Fool has an interesting analysis of Clear Channel’s attractiveness as a stock pick, scoring the company a mere 2 out of 10 on its investment screen. Forbes reports that the company has $19.2 billion in debt…
Clear Channel’s stock has just jumped after the company announced that it would borrow $2.2 billion to pay a special dividend of $6 to shareholders. Regular readers of this blog will remember the special dividend as one of the tricks used by Mitt Romney to make his fortune at Bain Capital. The crew would buy a company with money borrowed against the value of the company then borrow even more money to fund a special dividend that would mean a huge profit for them and likely bankruptcy for the company. And, hey, lookee here [Matt Koppenheffer, my emphasis]:
—
In a press release today, Clear Channel, which is largely controlled by Bain Capital, announced that it will be raising $2.2 billion via two debt offerings. The company will then turn around and use $2.17 billion of the proceeds to pay a $6.08-per-share special cash dividend to shareholders on record as of March 12. As the big jump in the stock suggests, the move was well received by investors…
—
Recap: Clear Channel is losing a large slice of advertising revenue for a broadcaster they are paying $38 million a year. The company has a market cap of $5.5 billion, and $19 billion in debt. Despite a junk bond rating, the company is planning to borrow another $2.2 billion to pay a $2 billion dividend to Bain Capital. That will leave the company with a market cap of $3.3 billion, and $21.2 billion in debt with $4 billion due in 2014 and another $12 billion up to 2016…
…in the increasingly likely case that these Vampire Capital tactics put Clear Channel into bankruptcy, Chapter 11 will allow the same management team who engineered it to stay in control…
Update: A lawsuit brought on behalf of the minority shareholders in Clear Channel Outdoor alleges that Clear Channel Corporation (holder of the 89% controlling interest in CCC) forced CCO to make a $1 billion loan to CCC on unfavorable terms.
Update 2: And there is an investigation into whether an unexplained 11% price movement in the CCO stock ahead of the news was caused by insiders front-running the trade.
http://www.americablog.com/2012/03/will-limbaugh-bring-down-clear-channel.html
As part of the KTOK Team from the “Golden Years” of OKC broadcasting Jerry, Jackson, Reeker, Emmerson, it was great being in the same room with people who sharpened each others skills with their talents. Being in the news business at KTOK was the Big Leagues. The most fun, the most work, the most rewards and the best opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business. After leaving KTOK I realized everything else I would ever attempt would be easy because my work in the RIGHT NOW deadline world of LIVE NEWS was the greatest training ground for success. God Speed Jerry Bohnen.
Jackson Kane? My dad…also downsized. 8N3P
In my first few days in sales at KTOK, my boss told me to go “shadow the news department” so I’d understand the importance of what I was selling. Jerry put me with Cam Edwards, and we started by combing police records. Then, all of a sudden Bob Macy was about to make a statement about the Murrah Bombing. Reporters flocked to Macy–they even stuck a recorder in my hand and said, “Go get a statement!” I had no idea what to do and failed to get anything! Bohnen orchestrated it all from the 11th floor at 50 Penn. Statements were gathered, stitched together, and when it aired, I was amazed at the quality and cohesiveness of the story. And they did this every day!
Jerry is smart and authoritative – a true professional. Oh I get it. He just didn’t fit in with CC’s corporate culture.
In my business I have always known that you cannot pay a good employee enough. The persona that Jerry represented was one of a quality professional and a REAL journalist, something that is VERY rare in the current media market. Jerry is KTOK news from 5AM until night thirty. Clear Channel has really lost a first class employee. With his talent I am hoping that new and better doors will be open. Oh yes go out and buy his
book “Dixie Cup Assassins”
What a sad day for OKC. Will miss you Egg Man, Jerry and Dan.
I am heartsick to hear this news. At the same time, knowing Jerry like I do, he’d be the last person to accept anyone’s sympathy. I pray that someday I’ll be able to look back on my career and see a list of wonderfully talented people that are in a better place because of my efforts. Jerry can do that, and I hope he takes great satisfaction in such servant leadership. Names like Billie Rodely, Cam Edwards, Mike McCarville, Wes Milbourne, Amy Lawrence, Brad Wheelis, Tim Granahan,, Bill Bateman, Jeff Gullett, and on and on. Journalism is not what it used to be, and dismissals like this – of a true broadcast legend – are a big reason why. Jerry taught me to write accurately, concisely and creatively, and his guidance as a mentor provided a key advantage in enjoying the career I have today. God bless you Jerry, and thank you Mike for giving this story the attention it deserves.
Jerry joined KTOK a couple of years after I came to the Okla News Net and started their Ag network and also did daily updates on KTOK- Jerry and I often talked about his roots up in Kansas- his work ethic was unique as he would do what it would take to cover a story right. Every honor listed by Mike above was well deserved by JB- several news people who worked under Jerry have posted- there are dozens more who are better people because of his direction.
I am fortunate- I left CC on my terms. I am saddened to see someone who poured his life into the brand called KTOK be treated as a liability and escorted from the building.
Jerry- I assure you that there is life after CC.
I think we can safely now say that radio is dead in Oklahoma City. Jerry Bohnen’s dismissal from KTOK is the final nail in the coffin for the station, and unfortunately for radio news and information in this market. Jerry is a friend and mentor, but more significantly, one of the most trusted and respected people in the industry.
It’s how companies like KTOK’s ownership repay a man for 32 years of dedication, tremendous journalistic integrity and personal sacrifice. My decision to retire from the place a year ago is reaffirmed.
Godspeed to Jerry in whatever his career holds for him next. Working for 32 years at one radio station is a behemoth accomplishment in and of itself. I had been at KTOK News a few months when Jerry arrived in, I believe, 1979. He was a persistent beat and investigative reporter. I was not there during his news director days but it’s heartening to hear the testimonials from people whose careers got a boost through his tutelage.
I do find irony in that it is policies implemented by the politicians whom KTOK programming has generated support for -the far rightwing- that are responsible for the steep decline in local radio news and this situation that has seen Jerry and other Clear Channel/Oklahoma City employees unceremoniously kicked to the curb.
When I entered the OkC market in August 1975 at KOCY-AM (1340) News, I became the fourth person on the newsroom staff there. There were also sizeable staffs (four to 10 people) in the newsrooms at KEBC-FM, WKY-AM, and KOMA-AM. As I recall, KOFM-FM and KRMC-AM also had competitive local news efforts.
But, Reagan administration broadcasting de-regulation led to the deaths of all of those newsrooms except KTOK’s. Couple that effect with the vulture capitalism practiced to heartless perfection by WIllard Romney-founded Bain Capital, a major investor in Clear Channel Communications, and you are handed the coup de grace, the apparent final strangling of local radio news in the OkC market.
It’s very sad but sometimes you have to keep an eye out for the unintended consequences of the policies you work so hard to see implemented.
My father was KTOK’s News Director before Jerry and was also let go due to “downsizing”. It seems it is more about the almighty buck that the talent these days…..
I am so fortunate to have had Jerry Bohnen as a mentor when I began my journalism career on a part time basis at KTOK before I graduated from OU. His guidance then still guides me today. For that I am grateful.
Joe Oliver
Peter said above he would not be where he was today with out Bohnen. He’s not the only one. Jerry was on an interview panel for me to garner a college journalism scholarship. Without scholarships, it would have been very difficult indeed for me to attend college at all. I wish Jerry very well and I know he’ll land on his feet. Maybe he could join forces with McCarville and launch an internet radio show?
I always respected Jerry as a journalist–even when the company I worked for was the subject of his stories (and that happened frequently over the years). I always knew that Jerry would never misrepresent my comments and would always provide me an opportunity to express our point of view, even if his conclusion was different. That he and other talented people at Clear Channel have been treated in this fashion is a disgrace–and a loss to listeners.
I worked with Jerry when he was Jackson Kane’s news assignment editor in the ’80’s. He taught me valuable lessons I still use in a smaller market . KTOK is a far cry from the days we had Jackson Kane, Bill Reker and Karen Fuhrmann anchoring, Jerry Bohnen directing a staff of eight reporters with Rick Tasetano delivering his own prepared weather reports and Captain Jim Purdue reporting on traffic from Red Rover
Bohnen becomes the last of the era..I am proud to say I was a part off
It’s a shame radio news has disappeared from the OKC market.
Jerry Bohnen hired me as a weekend reporter in 1987 while I was still in college at OU, after I was fired as part of KEBC radio news’ downsizing. He made all of us in that newsroom proud be journalists and proud to be doing what we loved. He was always as much coach as boss and literally the hardest part about the choice I made to change careers back then was ending my work and mentorship under Jerry. Truth is, radio news has so declined that for years it really hasn’t deserved a Jerry Bohnen, but we’ve all benefitted from his continued willingness to forge ahead.
I think Jerry is the last of the bunch left from when CC fired me back in 1999. It’s really sad to think what KTOK was when I worked there from 91-99 and what it is now. There are few people who loved what they did as much as Jerry, and are as good at it. Good luck Jerry!
Jerry Bohnen. Than YOU, Sir. An inspiration to so very many, as evidenced by the above comments. KTOK’s decision to release Bohnen, under these circumstances, may not be forgiven. What a shame…
I was shocked when I first heard about this. Jerry is absolutely one of the last radio journalists. His dismissal is a symptom of a much larger problem for radio … lack of local commitment and content. When I first started in the business the airways were considered public property. Hence stations had to work very hard to prove they were providing a true service to the local community. Now it is just about keeping the meter bouncing for the sake of revenue.
Of course none of this is really surprising when you consider the words of Clear Channel founder Lowery Mays who was famously quoted as saying “programming is just there to fill up the space between commercials.”
Jerry suspected that I hadn’t heard of his sudden and unexpected firing when he called me this afternoon. All I can say is, the bonehead management at Clear Channel are just that: Boneheads. Not to mention obviously being devoid of that all important organ in their chest – that’s evident in the manner that they informed Jerry that he was fired, or, as they put it, “downsized.” Jerry not only is a colleague with whom I’ve collaborated on more than just a few stories, but he’s also been a close, dear, and valued friend for just about as long as he’d been News Director at KTOK. His value as a journalist, news director, broadcaster, investigator … is evidenced by the scores of awards that he’s won over the years, and the respect and admiration that he’s earned from his peers in this business we call “the news.” If the news “management” at Clear Channel understood any of this, they wouldn’t have done what they did. But, perhaps “neophyte news management” is the more apt description of these folks. They just dismissed without any apparent thought to what they were doing to one of the most talented, hard-working, respected and experienced journalists I’ve ever worked with – and a man I have the honor of calling a good friend.
NPR loves to promo its “driveway moments.” Jerry Bohnen was giving them to thousands of Oklahomans before some of the folks doing the NPR promos were born. If we really cared about endangered species, Jerry’s dismissal would be on the front page and as a lead story of what’s left of news operations nowadays. The ironic twist to this story is the fact that in the quest for profit, a company has thrown out its greatest potential source of profit. Thank you, Jerry, for the incredible privilege of working and creating with you, for your tireless dedication, for your humanity. Thank you on behalf of all of Oklahoma for practicing your craft in a way that so benefitted this state and journalism as a whole.
After Open Mike Live was removed from programing, I began listening less and less to KTOK… Now I find myself very rarely listening to KTOK.
The decline of KTOK makes me wonder if a new radio station could take over the local market. Maybe start it out on the internet and then if successful, buy or build a new radio station.
So what would the programming line up look like on an OKC radio station with local programming???
Intriguing question, Mark. I retired, in part, because I saw the decline of news/talk radio coming. It has been in progress for years and this move by Clear Channel is just more evidence of that. For those of us who grew up with radio, the trend is disheartening.
Guess I wil be moving to KOKC now since the got rid of Jerry. Egg was a breath of fresh air in the afternoon and Dan was great in the morning. Clear channel is looking more like Ringling Brothers every day.
I have no ties to journalism in any way. I am politically very conservative and currently listen only to KTOK. I couldn’t understand why the Eggman was suddenly gone in the afternoon and I came looking online to see why. I found this site and suddenly everything was made clear. While it would appear that CC’s actions are legal, I would question their ethics. I really don’t care to continue to support a station that treats their employees in this manner. I too shall start listening to KOKC in the mornings and after Rush and Hannity’s programming ends each afternoon.
I found out only recently that KTOK/CCC fired Jerry Bohnen. Jerry was Assistant News Director when Jackson Kane hired me. I later worked under Jerry when he became News Director.
I always respected Jerry for his energy and total devotion to radio news. In the more than seven years I reported and anchored news at KTOK, Jackson would set direction, but Jerry was the engine that drove the news department. As a result KTOK quickly and accurately broadcast news stories in a competitive radio news market. KTOK also aired award winning features and provacative investigative news pieces thanks in large measure to Jerry’s efforts.
I’ve been away from OKC for several years, but I’ve heard KTOK’s programming online. It’s terrible, and made worse now because it dispatched Jerry Bohnen. I wish him well.
Finally, I recognize the names of several posters on this blog. Maybe they recognize my name. I send them my greetings.
Mr. Bohnen, the in depth commentary of local and state politics is sounding very shallow and uninformative without you on KTOK. Personally I think you have a great EEO age discrimination case against Clearwater that i hope you exercise. I hope to hear your voice and style and substance of reporting back on the radio.