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City & State or ZIP Tonight, this weekend, May 5th...
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Radio & TV Talk

Vikki Locke coming back Monday on B98.5 minus Steve McCoy

5:53 pm March 4, 2010, by Rodney Ho

vikki locke

Vikki Locke will be back on B98.5 Monday morning at 5 a.m. — minus Steve McCoy.

So for the first time in more than two decades, the radio team is being split up.

Her current contract is up June 30. As of Friday morning, she is still negotiating the final details of a contract extension beyond that date.

Both she and McCoy, who joined B98.5 in July 2008 after a nearly 18-year run at Star 94, had contracts lasting two years with an option for a third year. B98.5 decided not to take McCoy’s option. But the station did offer to keep Locke without McCoy. The “trigger” deadline was coming up, which is why B98.5 took them off the air last week.

Tony Kidd, market manager for Cox Radio who oversees programming for B98.5, told me at about 2 p.m. Thursday that the agreement with Locke is not finalized, that there are still some unspecified legal issues that need to squared away.

ATL Intel Thursday wrote that B98.5 offered her a one-year extension at an unspecified reduced salary, citing an unnamed source. (She was making in the mid-six-figure range.). It also broke the news of her return Monday.

I  have not gotten a response from either McCoy or Locke. McCoy is still under contract until June 30, so that’s probably an incentive for him to keep his mouth shut.

Presumably, without McCoy, Locke will do a stripped-down show minus celebrity interviews and bits, similar to what Kaedy Kiely does over at the River.

Jake Ray, a former producer for Steve & Vikki and currently in New York City producing Nick Cannon’s radio show, said in an email Thursday that he has spoken to McCoy and he’s okay. He thinks McCoy will understand Locke keeping a paycheck.

I think it’s wise for anyone to stay employed in this day and age if they have the option. But, knowing them both, I doubt S&V are done for good.
And yeah…Steve will be fine with it. Probably wasn’t his favorite conversation, but he understands the situation. They are like a weird kinda brother and sister…they’ll be fine.

“I can’t believe they let him go,” said Rhubarb Jones, a morning jock for 23 years at former country station Y106/Eagle who now teaches at Kennesaw State University. “It’s like Laurel without Hardy, Lucy without Ricky. Part of their magic was the chemistry.”

“Sadly in radio,” he added, “it’s not whether you get fired, it’s when you get fired.”

Norm Schrutt, a local radio agent who represents the likes of Dave FM’s Mara Davis, the Zone’s 2 Live Stews and Star 94’s Cindy and Ray, said McCoy will have a tough time finding a new job. “I do feel sorry for him. This is a young person’s game,” he said. “I hope he saved a lot of money in the bank.” He also hopes Cindy & Ray will see a bump with Steve & Vikki’s show gone.

Split morning teams have been able to get back together. News/talk station 640/ WGST-AM in 2007 started using oldies specialists Randy & Spiff. But after a few months, management didn’t think wisecracking Spiff Carner fit on a news morning show and yanked him. But the more serious Randy Cook stayed on solo for another 18 months. Last year, once WGST dropped Cook, the True Oldies station at 106.7 was able to reunite the team.

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133 comments Add your comment

Evander Ho Chasing Holyfield

March 4th, 2010
8:12 pm

Locke without McCoy? Guess that just means more Krispy Kreme’s for Ms Thunderbutt. As for the mid 6 figure salary; Vikki must have pics of Kidd performing unnatural acts on Boortz from last year’s Christmas party. Good for you VL! Blackmail and duplicity will out perform talent and ability every time. LOL

radiodaze

March 4th, 2010
8:49 pm

You people have NO CLUE what your talking about. If you can’t offer something substantial shut the f&*% up. You are truly an idiot and so are these blogs.

Radio-daze

March 4th, 2010
8:53 pm

S and V dislike each other.
Listen to the stories from Star.
You would be amazed.
Good news for Ms. Locke.
She can now order those 81/2- EEEEE Louboutins at Phipps.
Is that a foot or a spatula?

Radio Boy

March 4th, 2010
9:21 pm

Must not be enough room in the studio for Steve. She is a rather healthy gal.

Ernest T Bass

March 4th, 2010
9:51 pm

Why the hostility over her size??? It is a sad day when all you can do is criticize someone because they do not measure up to your visual standards. Small minds…Very small minds. What scares me more is you are allowed to vote, drive a car and have kids. No wonder our society is going to h*ll in a hand-basket.

Lee

March 4th, 2010
11:09 pm

Why is it that guys always get on the women for carrying extra pounds, but don’t say anything about the extra poundage some men on radio have?

TrafficHeadache

March 5th, 2010
6:33 am

Top 40 DJs are nothing but tools playing bad music and shilling for celebrity news. I have no use for ‘em at all.

susan

March 5th, 2010
8:10 am

wow … i feel sad for people posting such negative comments about vicki (or anyone for that matter). i hope you are able to find happiness in your own life one day that will fill you up so you don’t have to knock others down to make yourself feel good. vikki has done nothing to deserve your hatred.

Anti-Blogger

March 5th, 2010
8:16 am

Assuming that you hate mongers have not broken every barrier in your chosen career, reigned as a leading radio morning show co-host for 25 years in one market (which is unique and unheard of, and I challenge you to find another team who has done it), earned not only financial success, but the respect of your community for all you do without compensation (which is also unique), and now have been asked to host your own morning show, if you are female, on a leading Atlanta station (also a first), then I would take those toxic words and feelings of self-hatred and turn them inward where they belong. Have a nice day! :)

Does "mid-six figures"...

March 5th, 2010
8:37 am

mean she will be making $500,000 (that is midway between 100,000 and 999,999)? Or did you mean to say she will be making midway between $100K and $200K?

Margaret

March 5th, 2010
8:39 am

I think they got rid of the wrong one!!! Steve was the funny, witty one —

Guess I’ll be resetting my radio station now for sure —–

southside steve rocks!!

March 5th, 2010
8:43 am

McCoy wouldnt work for food, she would…..simple math

Donna

March 5th, 2010
8:46 am

Vicki Locke is the worst! It’s hard to imagine that anyone would pay her that kind of money for what she does…not very much. The station kept the wrong 1/2 of the team. I’m sure their ratings will reflect their poor decision.

veemmmgee

March 5th, 2010
8:54 am

This is radio, for crying out loud – why the comments on the woman’s size??? She isn’t on television. If you don’t want to listen to her, change the dial – that’s all you need to do. Vikki, I wish you well. Maybe you can get them to change the music rotation a bit. I still think a lot of the problem is their music format, but the personalities took the hit. Sad..

chris

March 5th, 2010
8:56 am

The radio stations could save tons of money but getting rid of ALL morning talk-a-thons. PLAY MUSIC you IDIOT RADIO STATIONS. If I wanted talk I would listen to AM.

Just Sayin'

March 5th, 2010
8:56 am

Fat girls smell funny. Just sayin’.

Terry

March 5th, 2010
8:59 am

I tried to listen to the duo once and if I had wanted to hear a smart mouth shrew first thing in the morning I would’ve stayed married

Kar

March 5th, 2010
9:02 am

Who cares about her size. It’s her on air personality that’s unappealing.

Maybe for an oldies station or an old folks home but otherwise I don’t see the appeal.

Eric

March 5th, 2010
9:03 am

Trolls!! Small minded, insecure trolls hiding behind this blog. She makes the money she makes because she is very good at what she does and a LOT of people like to listen to her on the radio. She is a class act. If your hate-laced, mean spirited comments mattered, Ho would be writing about you. Go back to your little troll cave.

Alan

March 5th, 2010
9:06 am

I used to be a huge fan of Steve and Vicki on Star 94- listened to them for 15 plus years. When they left I gave The Morning Mess a try and after 2 months of thinking I couldn’t do it- I really started to like them- then they left and Steve and Vicki were back on B98.5…now what do I do?

Steve

March 5th, 2010
9:06 am

This is why I read these blogs. F’n hilarious comments! I love it. Just glad they didn’t bring back those 2 yahoos Kelly and Alpha everybody was screaming for. Also, I never noticed how much Daughtrey and Kelly Clarkson they play on that station until it was pointed on these blogs. Wow! B98.5 really does have some “issues” to address.

OlanMills

March 5th, 2010
9:10 am

Really? THAT’s the publicity photo she looked at and said “Yeah- let’s go with that- that’s a good one!” ?

Brainstorm

March 5th, 2010
9:12 am

Nick Cannon has a radio show?

Marko

March 5th, 2010
9:13 am

I’m just amazed how many people can’t spell her name right (Vikki) when it’s in the article right above this.

Freddie Mercury's Spirit

March 5th, 2010
9:14 am

Play AOR (Album Oriented Rock) from the 70s & 80s; keep the chat at a minimum w/a news blip every 30 minutes. Include the deep cuts, not the same hit songs over and over and over and over …

The Flash

March 5th, 2010
9:21 am

I’m 100 percent certain all the hostility and hate is coming from former radio guys without enough talent to keep their jobs in a tough market! Vikki has always been a PLEASURE to work with, and we all have to pay our mortgages, so you can’t blame her for accepting B98.5’s offer. VIKKI IS A CLASS ACT!

TPM

March 5th, 2010
9:28 am

I would not do a job if I was told to do voice-tracking. Vikki – don’t be an annoying Jordan Gray/Kate McCarthy. Don’t pre-record a four hour show in 20 minutes.

Richard L. Eldredge

March 5th, 2010
9:36 am

Hi Rodney!
For the record, I did not report that Locke had signed the deal. I reported that, according to my sources, she had made the decision to go solo and take the offer.
For me, that in itself was news.
Like you, I was aware that the paperwork was still being ironed out.
And what’s up with all the hate on here?
It’s nice to see that some things haven’t changed at the good ole AJC.com.
Take care, buddy. Lunch soon?

PeachBuzz

March 5th, 2010
9:37 am

I agree with most, mid six figure range for that show? Much less what the folks over on other shows make. I mean, Belinda on Boortz is getting majorly paid from Quick Weight Loss Centers, Inview Vision, Ackerman Security and several others…she’s like the skinny, old, ugly white version of Star Jones. Good for everyone getting a paycheck and all, but shouldn’t endorsements that are PAID for say that? These “local” radio celebs get free everything all while lying to their loyal listeners who have no idea…

Rodney Ho

March 5th, 2010
9:41 am

I just read your item more carefully. Yes, you said B98.5 offered her the deal. You also said she has decided to go solo. So no, you did not say she had actually signed the deal. I got the impression from the item that it was a done deal but impression is not the same as the actual wording. I’m sorry. I’ve fixed my blog entry to reflect that.

PeachBuzz

March 5th, 2010
9:43 am

Dick Eldredege, there is a sorry excuse for a “journalist”. TEAM RODNEY…go back to Atlanta Magazine to your 26 readers or your twitter, surprised you didn’t post the link on here??? Are you soon to report that your B98.5 radio gig is back on, after all, you have your head so far up Vicki’s ample ass??? TEAM RODNEY…

Kris

March 5th, 2010
9:49 am

If people say nasty things about Vikki, maybe she and her fans should think about what Vikki has done to illicit those remarks. You get back what you put out there. I think Vikki is very nasty towards other women like Angelina Jolie for instance. It does appear to me that the big girl is a little jealous of other women younger, prettier, smarter and skinnier. I won’t be listening to her ever.

Terry

March 5th, 2010
9:55 am

I’ve never worked radio in my life. Vikki is just annoying, a mean spirted wise a#$ witch with a terminal case of PMS. Of course women are goona love her she perpetuates the myth of the strong woman

Hot 4 Vikki as a Teenager

March 5th, 2010
10:02 am

Does anyone else remember how absolutely gorgeous and SMOKIN’ HOT Vikki looked back in the ’80s, back before Ryan’s, Old Country Buffet and Golden Corral moved into the Atlanta market?

Beth

March 5th, 2010
10:04 am

Why such hostility? It’s a radio show. If you like it listen; if you don’t like it listen to something else. If you’re spending your time vilifying Vikki Locke she must be awfully important to you. Otherwise change the channel and spend your energy on something positive–or something negative that is worth such outrage. As for me, I’ll be listening to Vikki and using my emotional energy somewhere that it can make a positive difference.

Chris

March 5th, 2010
10:12 am

You people are so stupid, I’ve worked and had the pleasure of being here friend for about a decade. She’s the nicest woman on the plant, caring and can put together a great brunch at her home. Those of us who know her, count her as a dear friend. Glad she’s staying on radio. And when trashing her please spell her name correctly it is VIKKI, I mean it’s posted in the article above.

ryan

March 5th, 2010
10:15 am

thank god! Steve McCoy was not even REMOTELY funny, dry, and boring!

Terry

March 5th, 2010
10:17 am

Hey Chris, how big is the plant? As for the brunch who cares?

Just Sayin'

March 5th, 2010
10:17 am

If you play Fleetwood Mac’s song Rhiannon backwards, you hear “Steve is dead”.

Tired of Idiots

March 5th, 2010
10:19 am

Tell me if this is spelled correctly…VIKKI is a grossly overweight hack with zero talent? Correct, right?

Terry

March 5th, 2010
10:22 am

Atlanta radio hasn’t been worth a dang since the days of Skinny Bobby Harper. It sucks today

Steve

March 5th, 2010
10:38 am

Yea, bring back Gary McKee, the best Atlanta ever had!!

Mary

March 5th, 2010
10:41 am

Vikki Locke going solo? If peope wanted to listen to a woman there would be hit shows with names like Oprah, Ellen, The View, Tyra, Delilah…uh-oh, wait a minute…

D. Kendricks

March 5th, 2010
10:46 am

Vikki is a woman?

Sanders

March 5th, 2010
10:55 am

I have never been more ashamed to be from Atlanta. I guess the saying is correct…”ignorance is bliss” because most all you sound ecstatic. It is always best to keep you mouth shut when you do not have a clue what you are talking about….JEALOUS MUCH???

aiflush

March 5th, 2010
10:56 am

I’m thinking each one of you that is making comments about Vicki’s weight is probably some over weight slum that doesnt work and just sits around making fun of succesful people, get a life and grow up!!!!! She has been a part of Atlanta radio for years such as Rhubarb has and Randy and Spiff, so stop your name calling and acting like kids and be adults….

Just Sayin'

March 5th, 2010
10:56 am

Sanders – have you called Jenny yet?

JJ

March 5th, 2010
10:59 am

I can’t stand either one of them, never have, never will. I don’t even listen to this crappy station anymore!!!!

Terry

March 5th, 2010
11:03 am

Mary all that proves is thay women will listen/watch any other woman, no matter stupid the show

D. Kendricks

March 5th, 2010
11:04 am

Colonel (Sanders) good for you sticking up for your number one customer.

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